Stars at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday used red‑carpet attire and accessories to make a string of subtle and overt political and cultural statements, drawing attention as much for what their clothes signaled as for their designers.
Among the most discussed looks was Sydney Sweeney’s cherry‑red Oscar de la Renta gown, which commentators connected to the actress’s contentious American Eagle ad earlier this year and her reported registration with the Republican Party of Florida. The strapless, cleavage‑bearing gown was paired with Lorraine Schwartz jewels said to total 175 carats, including a 120‑carat diamond necklace. Some observers interpreted the monochrome “Republican red” look as a deliberate response to earlier criticism of Sweeney’s campaign and public profile.
Jenna Ortega drew notice for a barely‑there jeweled top and high‑slit black skirt by Givenchy that critics and fans linked to a 1992 look by Isabella Rossellini in the film Death Becomes Her. Ortega, who presented at the ceremony, has previously referenced the same era in pop culture in a cameo appearance in a 2024 music video by Sabrina Carpenter; the video’s violent imagery and Ortega’s role in it were widely reported when it was released.
Political symbolism threaded through multiple red‑carpet choices. Javier Bardem wore a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh around his neck and used his press interviews at the event to call for greater support for Palestine, saying in remarks published by Variety that he was "denouncing the genocide in Gaza" and urging diplomatic and commercial pressure on Israel. Bardem said he and colleagues were organizing under a Film Workers for Palestine banner and clarified that their targets were companies and institutions they regard as complicit, not individuals by identity.
Several attendees wore small red pins launched by Artists4Ceasefire, a group in the entertainment community advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid. First‑time Emmy winner Hannah Einbinder and Aimee Lou Wood were among those who clipped the pin to their outfits. Einbinder also used part of her acceptance speech to call for immigration policy changes and to express support for Palestinian causes.
Comedian Megan Stalter made an explicit statement with a large black leather handbag emblazoned with the words "cease fire!" The accessory was visible against an otherwise casual ensemble and echoed the messages carried by multiple artists on the carpet about the conflict that began in October 2023.
Other sartorial choices referenced television roles and on‑screen moments. Lalisa Manobal of Blackpink, credited as Lisa, wore a Lever Couture gown and a Bulgari Serpenti‑style necklace notable for its gemstone detail; critics noted the serpent motif’s resonance with season three of Mike White’s White Lotus, in which snakes and jewelry figure into the storyline. Walton Goggins brought snake‑themed jewelry to the red carpet as well — a ring, bracelet and green necklace — a choice some connected to his White Lotus character, who interacts with venomous snakes in a scene from the series.
Coverage of the pins has not been without controversy. Israeli public figures criticized the Artists4Ceasefire emblem after celebrities wore it at earlier awards shows, saying its imagery recalled the 2000 Ramallah lynching of two Palestinian men; artists and the group have described the pins as symbols of humanitarian concern and calls for immediate ceasefire and aid delivery. The debate over the pins and other on‑carpet statements exemplifies how awards show fashion can intersect with international politics and provoke public discussion.
Design and styling choices also prompted conversation beyond politics. Sweeney has previously discussed restrictions around custom gown fittings and how sample sizes can affect the way garments sit on performers, and some coverage of her Emmys look framed it as a continuation of her high‑profile approach to red‑carpet dressing. Jenna Ortega’s jewel‑only top revived comparisons to a 1990s aesthetic and underscored how contemporary stars invoke film history through couture selections.
The 2025 Emmy red carpet illustrated a broader trend of celebrities using fashion as a vehicle for messaging — from overt slogans to carefully curated symbols tied to past roles, brands or causes. With some statements attracting applause and others sparking criticism, the night underscored the degree to which awards shows remain platforms for public expression beyond accolades and premieres.