Zendaya is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2026 Emmy Awards for her role in HBO's "Euphoria," extending a run on the ceremony's red carpet that has made her one of its most consistently talked-about dressers. The Emmys air live on NBC on Sept. 14.
The actress won her second Lead Actress trophy for playing Rue Bennett at the 2022 Emmys, where she wore a black Valentino ballgown with a peplum bodice and a bow. At the 2019 ceremony, she wore a Poison Ivy-inspired custom silk charmeuse Vera Wang gown with a sheer corset and a slit. At the 2020 Emmys, where she made history, she wore an Armani creation reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties.
Zendaya on Fashion as Armor
Zendaya has said her red carpet choices are about more than just winning best-dressed lists. "Fashion, in many ways, is a tool for me," she told Vanity Fair in November 2024. "I consider myself a shyer person, which I guess you wouldn't quite realize from the crazy, sometimes ridiculous things that I wear. But it's my armor."
She and stylist Law Roach have gone as far as inventing backstories for each outfit they pull. "We give them little backstories," she said. "It does help to create this little persona every time you come out. I just embody this girl, whoever this woman is tonight. It makes the whole process easier because it's not yourself; it's a version of yourself."
Seth Rogen's Bold Color Choices
Seth Rogen has made a habit of skipping traditional black at the Emmys. He wore a pumpkin-spice Brioni look in 2021 and an all-white Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo the following year.
"Last year was my first full-on awards season that I've been invited to participate in any capacity," he told GQ in July 2023. "It's a lot of black tie and tuxedos, which I'm not usually wearing 15 of in a year."
"With tuxedos, I try to go for color," said Rogen, who accepted his Outstanding Lead Actor trophy for "The Studio" at the 2025 Emmys in a chocolate-brown custom Etro suit. "There was a green silk tuxedo I almost wore that I was pretty excited about."
More Best-Dressed Stars Through the Years
Jenna Ortega, Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon are among the many other stars who have made their mark on the Emmys red carpet over the decades. Notable looks include:
- Jenna Ortega in a jewel-encrusted Givenchy look at the 2025 Emmys
- Anya Taylor-Joy in a bright yellow Dior dress with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2021 Emmys
- Reese Witherspoon in a glitzy blue strapless gown at the 2022 Emmys
- Angelina Jolie in a body-hugging blush gown at the 1998 Emmys
- Susan Kelechi Watson in a shimmery off-the-shoulder gown
- Joan Collins in a red gown at the 1987 Emmys
- Tracee Ellis Ross in a hot pink Valentino Haute Couture gown
- Quinta Brunson in a metallic bronze look
- Ellen Pompeo in a black velvet Elie Saab jumpsuit with crystal embroidery at the 2021 Emmys
- Priyanka Chopra in a white custom-made Balmain gown
- Viola Davis in an orange dress at the 2017 Emmys
- Michelle Dockery in a baby blue Carolina Herrera gown at the 2018 Emmys
- Keri Russell in a feathered black dress at the 2018 Emmys
- January Jones in a Versace peplum dress at the 2009 Emmys
- Claire Foy in a black Oscar de la Renta jumpsuit
- Rue McClanahan in a gold design at the 1990 Emmys
- Elle Fanning in an old Hollywood-inspired look at the 2022 Emmys
- Regina King in a highlighter-green Christian Siriano gown at the 2018 Emmys
- Kim Cattrall in a cut-out dress at the 2003 Emmys
- Nina Dobrev in a strapless Donna Karan dress at the 2011 Emmys
- Taraji P. Henson in a custom yellow Vera Wang dress at the 2016 Emmys
- Issa Rae in a bedazzled baby blue Vera Wang jumpsuit
- Mandy Moore in a colorful Brandon Maxwell design
- Ava DuVernay in a Reem Acra gown at the 2019 Emmys
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a black dress with a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps at the 1995 Emmys
- Jennie Garth in a black design paired with satin gloves and strappy heels at the 1995 Emmys
- Kim Kardashian in a black dress paired with a statement necklace
Issa Rae's Vera Wang jumpsuit had a story of its own. "There are 3,000 crystals on my dress right now. I was like, are you serious right now," she told E! News.
This year's ceremony airs live on NBC on Sept. 14, with fashion watchers waiting to see which stars add to the Emmys' red carpet legacy.
