Chappell Roan, the reigning Best New Artist, made waves once again at the 2026 Grammy Awards — this time for her daring red carpet choice.
On Sunday, the winners of the Grammy Awards were announced in Los Angeles. It’s music’s biggest night — but politics once again took center stage.
Artists including Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, British singer Olivia Dean, country star Shaboozy, and Cuban‑American icon Gloria Estefan used their wins to speak out against the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement policies. Meanwhile, plenty was happening on the red carpet as well…
Superstar Chappell Roan arrived in a sheer maroon Mugler gown held up by chest rings, a bold tribute to Manfred Thierry Mugler’s 1998 Jeu de Paume collection, reinterpreted by Miguel Castro Freitas for Spring/Summer 2026.
The look immediately sparked debate online. While some fashion insiders praised its historical inspiration, many viewers were far less impressed.
“Disgusting. Absolutely low class,” one user wrote.
Another criticized the rise of shock-focused red carpet fashion, saying, “Let’s hope this is the last event where we see this. Award shows need a dress code. We don’t need to see your b**bs, ladies!”
Roan’s outfit, along with Heidi Klum’s earlier that same night, was viewed as part of a growing trend of female celebrities embracing sheer, skin‑baring ensembles — a movement that has been gaining momentum since 2025.
Stars like Julia Fox, Florence Pugh, Bianca Censori, Teyana Taylor, Kristen Stewart, and Dakota Johnson have all leaned into the aesthetic. When asked about the backlash, Johnson told Vogue Germany in 2023, “I really don’t care.”
Yet many viewers were far less forgiving.
“Reeks of desperation,” one viewer commented.
“These dresses aren’t empowering women or showing a feminine side,” another argued. “They’re showing that these women are willing to do just about anything to be ‘remembered.’” “I am all for freedom of dress, but really? That’s too much, and it doesn’t even look good,” someone else added.
At the same time, others defended Roan’s look.
“I don’t see why you all hate it so much, all tatted and pierced up. I thought it was appropriate,” one fan wrote.
“I’m obsessed with this look. She killed it. Shock factor. Memorable. And will be talked about for days to come,” another weighed in.
Known for theatrical fashion and boundary‑pushing visuals, Roan’s Grammys appearance was hardly an outlier. At the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, she paid tribute to Cyndi Lauper with a look only true fans would recognize.
For the Grammys, Roan was styled by LA’s Genesis Webb in an outfit inspired by Lauper’s True Colors music video, complete with a newspaper skirt shaped into Rococo‑style hips, a sparkling bustier, vintage jewelry, and a glittering custom headpiece.
“Look at me! I may not have talent, but I can stretch the envelope,” one critic mocked. “This makes Victoria’s Secret look demure and tasteful.”
Fans remained divided. “She can definitely pull [the look] off,” one admitted. “She has a great body. I thought it was a Halloween costume at first.” Others expressed fatigue:
“Enough already,” one posted. “These looks aren’t memorable. They’re pitiful.”
“What is with these female musicians or actresses showing their bodies like that?” another asked. “I know modesty seems to be a thing of the past anyway, but this is taking it way too far.”
Amid the controversy, Roan remains a strong contender for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “The Subway,” and she is scheduled to present during the ceremony. Last year, she won Best New Artist for her album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and earned five additional nominations, including three for her hit “Good Luck, Babe!”
Chappell Roan’s sheer Mugler gown has tongues wagging and keyboards clacking. Is it bold artistry or simply shock for shock’s sake? One thing’s certain: no one is staying quiet about this look.
