Shailene Woodley's Stylist Defends Controversial Emmys Gown

Shailene Woodley's stylist, Karla Welch, has responded to harsh criticism of the actress's distinctive outfit at the 2026 Emmy Awards. Welch took to Threads on Tuesday to address the backlash, stating, "Love or hate something fine but it’s an opinion and it can even be a conversation but being super rude and mean and taking glee from it, well that says a lot more about the mouths it’s coming from."

Woodley's ensemble, a Balenciaga creation, featured a plunging periwinkle blue top paired with beaded gold pants. The look was completed with burgundy opera gloves and a colorful gemstone necklace. The actress wore her hair in a sleek, low ponytail, showcasing the statement necklace.

The stylist's post drew a range of reactions. Some users supported Welch, emphasizing the importance of fashion experimentation and Woodley's apparent enjoyment of the look. One commenter wrote, "The whole point of fashion is to play and try new things and be adventurous! most are too scared to! most importantly, she looked so happy and at ease, and like she was having so much fun and feeling like the best version of herself!"

However, others were less forgiving. One critic commented, "You need to own you made her look bad. She trusted YOU and you fell short."

Welch, who also styles celebrities such as Olivia Wilde and Sarah Paulson, posted a photo of Woodley on the red carpet with the caption "Trigger Warning," referencing the garment's provocative design. She also credited Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli for the look.

Woodley, 34, faced significant online backlash for the outfit, with social media users creating memes and posting critical comments. One Instagram user remarked, "She clearly did something to make her stylist mad at her 😭," while another likened the outfit to a "Goodwill" find.

Following the awards ceremony, Woodley changed into a black graphic t-shirt for the after-parties, though she retained the designer pants.

In other recent developments, Woodley reportedly had a conversation with Olivia Munn at the awards show. Both actresses have previously dated NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers recently made public claims that Woodley had expressed a desire to have relations with another man before their proposed marriage. Woodley has reportedly been unfazed by the attention, having laughed off a reporter's question about Rodgers' comments.