Critics Choice Awards 2026 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Celebrity Look

The Critics Choice Awards kick off the 2026 season Jan. 4 and with Jessica Biel, Elle Fanning, Kristen Bell and Ariana Grande working the carpet, we're recognizing excellence in award show fashions.

By Sarah Grossbart Jan 04, 2026 10:03 PM
| Updated Jan 05, 2026 1:39 PM
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Watch: Best Dressed Celebs at the Critics Choice Awards: Ariana Grande, Teyana Taylor & More

Among the pieces that have, uh, sentimental value for Elle Fanning: Her looks of red carpet past. 

"I do have a couple of storage units," the actress revealed to Keltie Knight on LIVE from E!: Critics Choice Awards at the Jan. 4 Critics Choice Awards, where she is nominated for her work in the emotional family drama. "For the memories, to save things. I’m very sentimental for my clothes and it’s hard for me to throw things away."

And no doubt the archival Ralph Lauren she slipped into before arriving at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. has already earned a spot. 

"This is vintage, but 2003," the actress explained of the metallic gown she paired with Cartier jewels. And with the drizzly forecast at the Chelsea Handler-helmed show (airing live across E! and USA Network), it was a real winner. 

"It's kind of also rain-proof," Fanning noted, "because it’s sequins so you won’t see the rain spots."

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Best Critics Choice Awards Red Carpet Looks Ever

Much easier to spot? Meghann Fahy's Tiffany & Co. diamond ring. 

"I actually really did think they were going to have somebody following me around," admitted the Ludovic De Saint Sernin-clad star, recognized in the Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made For Television category for Sirens. "But I guess not, which probably means I can also keep it." 

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Though anyone looking to steal things, might want to snag Sheryl Lee Ralph's genuis red carpet hack.  

Not one to get off on the wrong foot when it comes to award season, the Abbott Elementary star made sure she was fully put together.

"When you’re coming down the red carpet, it’s not time for little hiccups and your shoes, sometimes they don’t fit properly," the actress explained to E!. So, she's stuck to a few fashion hacks over the years. 

"First of all, I live by lidocaine, if the shoe even has the possibility of being uncomfortable," explained Ralph, on hand to celebrate her show's nomination for Best Comedy Series. "And then I spray the shoe with spray adhesive, get my foot in and there is not flip-floppage." 

And she's not the only star taking pains to make sure nothing comes unglued on the carpet. 

Chatting with Knight alongside her sister and Nobody Wants This co-creator Erin Foster, Sara Foster revealed a photographer alerted her to the fact that her Spanx were threatening to peek out of her cut-to-there Monique Lhullier. 

"Gotta love him!" said the executive producer. Because she's been waiting a year to slip into the stunning gown she initially considered for the 2025 Golden Globes

"I was like, 'I want to bring that back,'" she recounted to E!. "They’re like, 'It’s online, people can buy it.' And I’m like, 'I don’t care.'" 

She knows a winner when she sees it, the Kristen Bell- and Adam Brody-led Nobody Wants This collecting five nominations.

Because 'tis the season for doling out trophies to all the creators that entertained us these past 12 months. And the pros behind films like SinnersOne Battle After AnotherHamnetWicked: For Good and Marty Supreme are sure to be decking their halls with shiny new hardware.

Those flicks lead the pack of nominees—including nods for actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. JordanPaul MescalJessie Buckley, Timothée Chalamet, Teyana Taylor and Ariana Grande—and their teams are sure to hear their names called.

As for the series that kept us glued to our couches, The PittSeverance and Hacks are among the shows that captivated us with surgical precision, earning nominees for their stars Adam ScottJean SmartKatherine LaNasa and Noah Wyle.

And we'd like to recognize Handler for her committment to keeping us in stitches, the comedian signing on to emcee the ceremony for the fourth year in a row. 

"Kicking off the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels right," she said in a Nov. 17 announcement. "Nothing says 'new beginnings' like a room full of critics ready to tell you how you did last year."

But, first, we're here to assess the fashions. Keep reading for every red carpet look. 

Teyana Taylor

in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. 

Jessica Biel

in Lanvin. 

Ariana Grande

in custom Alberta Ferretti, Christian Louboutin and Swarovski jewelry. 

Paul Mescal

in custom Gucci and Cartier.

Jacob Elordi

in Bottega Veneta, Oliver Peoples and Cartier. 

Michael B. Jordan

in custom Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin. 

Leighton Meester & Adam Brody

in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry (Meester); Valentino and Jager Le Coultre wath (Brody). 

Alexander Skarsgard

in Valentino. 

Adam Scott & Naomi Scott

in Dolce & Gabbana. 

Marcello Hernandez

in Dolce & Gabbana. 

Mckenna Grace

in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard diamonds. 

Krys Marshall

in Sehnsucht Atelier. 

Rhea Seehorn

in custom Louis Vuitton and Brilliant Earth jewelry.

Nicole Brydon Bloom

in Akris.

Sara Wells & Noah Wyle

in Brioni (Wyle). 

Adam Sandler & Jackie Sandler

Leo Woodall

in Paul Smith.

Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler

in custom Louis Vuitton.

Katherine LaNasa & Grant Show

in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry (LaNasa). 

Seth Rogen

in Zegna.

Sarah Shahi

in Georges Hobeika.

Ginnifer Goodwin & Josh Dallas

in Giorgio Armani and a Tyler Ellis bag(Goodwin).

Ike Barinholtz

in Dior. 

Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney

in Alex Perry, Tyler Ellis purse and Manolo Blahnik shoes (McNearney). 

Sterling K. Brown

in Brunello Cucinelli, Jacques Marie Mage glasses, Omega watch, Rachel Katz Jewelry cufflinks, Effy Jewelry rings and Melinda Maria earrings. 

Sarah Snook

in Akris and Chopard. 

Tramell Tillman

in Anamika Khanna and Lagos Diamonds jewelry. 

Natasha Lyonne

in Celine and Le Vian and L'Dezen jewelry.

Chase Infiniti

in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry. 

Owen Cooper

in Bottega Veneta. 

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