Critics Choice Awards 2025 Worst Dressed: Ariana Grande and Michelle Yeoh end up as red carpet fails
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: After the 67th Grammys set the tone for this year's award season, it was time for the Critics Choice Awards 2025. Originally slated for January 12, the ceremony was rescheduled for February 7, Friday, after being postponed due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
There was plenty of entertainment value in some of the red carpet outfits prior to the ceremony. Indeed, so many performers appeared to imitate one another's poor decisions that it's reasonable to question whether the invitation suggested a theme.
Here are the 10 worst-dressed celebs from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, ranging from a number of stars wearing lampshades to the reappearance of some regrettable vintage looks.
1. Ariana Grande
The 'Wicked' star wore a cutting-edge cage dress from Dior's spring 2024 couture line to the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, per WWD. Ariana Grande's gold gown looked like an ethereal jellyfish that had long flowers cascading down the side of a short, structured skirt.
The outfit appeared more strange because it seemed to have established an evening trend. It appeared to be an antique beaded lamp where the jellyfish-inspired embroidery dangled off Grande's structured skirt.
2. Rachel Brosnahan
Rachel Brosnahan was the center of attention in her chest cutout Miu Miu outfit. She attempted to balance the bold black silk gown that she wore with some sequined shoulders by showcasing her chest.
The 'House of Cards' star was scheduled to present at the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native has already taken home two Critics Choice awards. She received Best Actress in a Comedy Series awards for her performance in 'The Marvelous Mrs Maisel' in 2018 and 2019.
3. Joey King
Joey King's Miu Miu pastel colored dress was not the worst of the worst, but it was not particularly outstanding either at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. King's coloring failed to complement the subdued color scheme as well as it might have with a more striking, richer tone.
Moreover, there were so many distinct components and intricacies in this outfit that viewers' focus was diverted everywhere at once. The overall weird vibe of the outfit was evoked by the lace and corset accents, as well as the fabrics and colors that evoked vintage undergarments.
4. Melissa Rauch
The 'Big Bang Theory' actress donned a very '80s bridesmaid look in a deep purple gown with ruffles and black rosettes. Although this deep purple color is difficult to achieve, Melissa Rauch made it look gorgeous. However, the silhouette was the issue.
Rauch was swamped by the extra fabric, and her proportions were thrown off by the strange length. This was made worse by the closed-toe, black shoes. Shorter hemlines, strappy shoes, and a slimmer form would have made this dress much more appealing.
5. Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh, a frequent partner of Balenciaga, showed up at the 2025 Critics Choice wearing a strapless dress from the Spanish fashion house. However, it not another red carpet appearance — it was the regular laundry pile.
Yeoh maintained that the striking blue color is ideal for her, but the wrinkled layers of fabric appear to be unintentional; they just looked sloppy. Fans would love to see her wear something a little more streamlined in this color scheme in the future.
6. Sara Foster
Sara Foster wore a Monique Lhuillier floral gown at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. Though the overall look of the green dress was somewhat acceptable, it failed to make a statement on the red carpet with the artificial flowers hanging all over.
7. Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o wore a strapless Chanel minidress with a wavy border across the neckline and skirt at the red carpet. It had a white background with a pattern of green leaves and vivid pink flowers. The see-through black tulle she used to cover the costume fell down her shoulders, tightened at the waist, and flowed into a floor-length skirt.
Although Nyong'o is capable of pulling off anything, fans were shocked when the star appeared on the red carpet wearing a completely baffling outfit. Nyong'o's outfit appeared to have been created by simply covering her favorite bathing suit with black tulle and calling it a day. This looked terrible because of the conflicting vibes, the strange neckline, and the lowered waist.
8. Hannah Einbinder
Although Hannah Einbinder's dress from Hacks has a gorgeous color, the lampshade-style custom olive green satin Louis Vuitton bustier gown with a geometric midi skirt is a lot less than ideal.
Einbinder accentuated her eye color and hair tone with a stunning satiny green dress and matching satin pumps and Belperron earrings. However, she looked more like a lampshade from the 1970s than the gifted actress she is because of the dramatic bell shape.
9. Kathryn Hahn
'Agatha All Along' actress Kathryn Hahn was embracing her primitive side when she arrived to co-present the Best Actress in a Limited Series award. The length, the heels, and the tiny peek-a-boo feathers surrounding the tube top were all elements of this outfit that worked well.
However, the fabric failed to picture well and the woven bodice was an uncomfortable length, giving the impression that the piece was much less expensive than it actually was. It would have looked more stylish rather than costumey if the skirt had started at her natural waist and ended at tea length. This would have also prevented the skirt from overpowering her.
10. Caitriona Balfe
Monaghan woman Caitriona Balfe juxtaposed herself in a stunning two-piece from Prada, complete with silver hooks and a leather belt, styled by Karla Welch. Irish hair stylist Gareth Bromell cut her stylish short hair into a flip bob inspired by the 1990s, and she accessorized the look with Marco Bicego jewelry.
Unfortunately, rather than being playful and funky, this one merely appeared jumbled. Balfe appeared to have ripped up a wedding gown and added some edgy components, such as leather and metal, to the basic satin pieces, which only made it look confusing.
