Red carpet gives ’em something to talk about
The Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet is known for classic glamour. And the 70th annual edition Monday night did not disappoint in that arena; presenters even opted for a gold carpet in honor of the anniversary.
But political statements were as much of an accessory as Tiffany & Co. or Harry Winston. Jenifer Lewis of ABC’s “Black-ish” sported a red-and-black sweatshirt emblazoned with Nike in support of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against “police brutality and racial injustice.”
Then there was “The Alienist” actress Q’orianka Kilcher in a red gown with a pin reading “I am a voter.” Padma Lakshmi, in a red J. Mendel dress recycled from her closet, wore a blue ribbon pinned at the waist to signify her support of the American Civil Liberties Union’s efforts to reunite separated immigrant families.
“I was an immigrant. I was a little girl who was separated from my parents for two years, and I just feel if I have the good fortune to be here, then I should pay it forward,” she told PeopleTV. “I think we have to do that as immigrants, but we also have
to do that as women.”
RuPaul wore a white suit covered by black outlines of the Statue of Liberty. “Every time I bat my false eyelashes I’m making a political statement,” he said.
Aside from politics, Emmy fashion was quite sophisticated, with elegant gowns in traditional black or white. The pops of color came in red, pink and yellow.
For starters, Sandra Oh, star of BBC’s “The Killing Eve,” was the belle of the night in a rubyred dress with a plunging neckline and jeweled accents at the waist and shoulder. Oh, the first woman of Asian descent to earn an Emmy nomination for lead actress in a drama series, brought her parents to the awards, which generated cheers on social media.
“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan, who won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, looked effortlessly elegant in a red, one-shoulder Oscar de la Renta gown and Tiffany earrings.
“Black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross brought the drama in a voluminous hot pink Valentino couture gown that looked like something from “Mahogany,” the iconic 1975 film starring her mother, Diana Ross. Thandie Newton kept it sleek and simple with a pink column gown by Texas native Brandon Maxwell.
Leslie Jones wore an iridescent pantsuit by her go-to designer, Christian Siriano. She’s been wearing looks from the “Project Runway” winning designer since 2016 when she publicly voiced her frustration in finding a designer dress for her “Ghostbusters” premiere.
Wearing white were Scarlett Johansson in a trendy Balmain gown and Kristen Bell in a sleek long-sleeve white Solace London gown, which only cost $530. Jessica Biehl wore a strapless, structural wonder by Ralph & Russo couture. Angela Bassett also donned an amazing architectural white gown.
Constance Wu of “Fresh Off the Boat” and the hit film “Crazy Rich Asians” took the edgy prize in a sequin Jason Wu cut-out gown. And “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore sparkled in a custom, all-sequin Rodarte with a deep-V neckline.
Of course, there were a few misses, like Penélope Cruz in a fringy, frilly Chanel couture gown that seemed a bit dated. And Sarah Paulson in a feathery black, strapless Oscar de la Renta gown that looked like it needed better bra support. Keri Russell took the feather route, but she met her swan goals in Zuhair Murad.
The men were as dapper as ever, with “This Is Us” stars Sterling K. Brown in a Valentino tux, sunglasses and a Chopard watch and Justin Hartley in Giorgio Armani olive-green tux. John Legend, one of few artists to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, wore Gucci.