Sophia Michaels
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The Critics Choice Awards took place amidst the chaos of wildfires in Los Angeles, providing a much-needed reprieve. Host Chelsea Handler set a lighthearted tone for the night, using humor to address the ongoing drama between stars like Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, which added to the evening’s entertainment. Beyond celebrity gossip, the red carpet showcased an array of fashion faux pas, leaving many to speculate if there was a covert theme for the event. Let’s take a look at some of the most poorly dressed celebrities from the night.
The fashion fails were abundant, with several celebrities seemingly copying one another’s unfortunate style choices—ranging from strange silhouettes to outdated trends. Here, we present the worst-dressed stars from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
Ariana Grande’s Uninspiring Beige Look
While many admired Ariana Grande’s outfit choice, it appeared to miss the mark with its dull beige tones that failed to flatter her. After being highlighted for poor fashion during the Golden Globes, she continued in the same muted color palette instead of invigorating her red carpet looks.
This look notably set a disconcerting trend that night, reminiscent of vintage lamp designs due to the jellyfish-like embroidery and structured skirt that only compounded the issue.
Hannah Einbinder’s Retro Lampshade Style
Hannah Einbinder made another entrance on the worst-dressed list with her shiny green dress that, while elegant, bore a silhouette reminiscent of 1970s lampshades. Despite her outfit’s color working well with her features, the cut didn’t do her any favors.
Upon winning an award, Einbinder used her acceptance speech to highlight environmental issues, humorously tying her outfit’s vibe to her message about the lack of recyclability in ’70s materials—while ending on a poignant note about togetherness.
Naomi Watts’s Lamp-Like Ensemble
Naomi Watts made a notable entry at the Critics Choice Awards, sporting a nomination for her role in “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.” While she had reasons to celebrate, her outfit choice did not reflect the same positivity. Her ensemble, while glamorous, unfortunately contributed to the poorly dressed roster that night.
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Naomi Watts faced a fashion mishap
Watts not only lost to the impressive Cristin Milioti but also witnessed Liev receiving a supporting award in a dress that resembled a lamp shade’s base. While she attempted a modern take with a streamlined, structured skirt, it ended up hindering her movement, making it look like she couldn’t maneuver properly.
Dakota Fanning’s fashion confusion
In attendance for “Ripley,” Dakota Fanning was nominated for Best Supporting Actress but her outfit was a mixed bag. The seafoam green color flattered her, but the confusing design choices—like a ruched top, a corset drop waist, and an odd asymmetrical seam—made the overall look feel chaotic and poorly thought out.
Joey King’s misguided imitation
Making her red carpet appearance, Joey King echoed Dakota Fanning’s look but missed the mark. While the color worked, the outfit lacked coherence. The workout-inspired underlayer beneath a rolled tube top dramatically clashed with a Victorian-style skirt, resulting in a fashion disaster.
Nava Mau’s questionable prom dress
Nava Mau made waves in a dress that brought back memories of 2000s duct-tape prom styles. While she embraced the quirky halter design, the overly structured look felt incomplete, even if the casual sparkles added a touch of glam. Despite previous fashion flops, she maintained a cheerful demeanor.
Josh Groban’s lack of effort
Josh Groban, presenting for Best Song, seemed to underperform in his attire. While the fit of his slacks and bow tie was good, the crushed velvet jacket felt mismatched, especially as other male attendees showcased stellar outfits. Groban’s look fell flat despite his romantic history with stunning women, hinting he could elevate his style a notch. A colorful silk pant could have enhanced his ensemble significantly.
Kathryn Hahn’s ‘Black Swan’ moment
Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty
As she co-presented the Best Actress in a Limited Series award, Kathryn Hahn seemed to channel a ‘Black Swan’ vibe. While many aspects of her outfit worked, like the length and feather details, the woven bodice’s fit fell short and didn’t capture the ensemble’s intended elegance. Hahn’s presence alongside recently single David Harbour made for an interesting pair on stage, but one hopes her future outfit choices will stray from this oil-slick style.
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