Shailene Woodley's stylist defends controversial Emmys outfit amid fan backlash
Karla Welch responds to 'super rude' and 'mean' comments after the actress's Balenciaga ensemble draws criticism.
Shailene Woodley's stylist, Karla Welch, has pushed back against online criticism of the actress's outfit at the recent Emmy Awards. Woodley, 34, appeared on the red carpet in a low-cut Balenciaga top, bedazzled pants, maroon leather gloves, and a rainbow stone necklace, an ensemble that sparked a wave of negative reactions from fans.
Welch, 52, addressed the backlash on social media, stating, "Love or hate something fine but it's an opinion." She added, "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." While some fans supported Welch's stance, praising the adventurous nature of the fashion choice and Woodley's apparent comfort, others suggested the look fell short. One comment read, "You need to own you made her look bad. She trusted YOU and you fell short."
Welch, who has styled numerous high-profile celebrities including Karlie Kloss, Olivia Wilde, Sarah Paulson, Justin Bieber, and Hailey Bieber, shared a photo of Woodley's look with a "Trigger Warning" label and referenced Balenciaga's creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli.
Woodley's fashion choice also drew commentary from red carpet expert Melissa Rivers, who included the actress on her worst-dressed list. Following the event, Woodley was later seen covering her outfit with a t-shirt at a Disney after-party.
The public discourse around Woodley's attire comes shortly after her ex-fiancé, Aaron Rodgers, made public comments about their past relationship. Rodgers claimed on a podcast that Woodley had asked to "go f*** another man" before their engagement ended in March 2022, just three months after he proposed in December 2021. Fans on social media drew parallels between the relationship drama and Woodley's red carpet look, with one user writing, "fit so bad you completely vindicate Aaron Rodgers."
Woodley has not publicly addressed Rodgers's claims, though reports suggest her friends have been left "alarmed" by his remarks, describing them as "completely out of character" and noting that Rodgers has not spoken to Woodley in over two years. Woodley previously characterized the breakup as a "traumatic thing."
