Red Carpet Reviews: People’s Choice Awards
Stepping out and trying something new
Written by Jessica Katz, Online Editor, Jane Houseal, Fashion Editorial Assistant, Zack Zens, Fashion Staff Writer, Clara Padgham and Rian Evans, Contributing Writers
Photo compiled by Jessica Katz
Best Dressed
The red carpet is usually awash in uninspired shades of black and white, but magnetic musician H.E.R. took a very different approach, opting for a tailored bubblegum suit and simple heart motif jewelry. This Carolina Herrera suit draws inspiration from traditional 70s’ silhouettes with generously flared pants and a striking shawl collar (Fishman, 2021). There is something to be said for a well-tailored suit that does not just blend into the crowd, and H.E.R. certainly archives this goal.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson strutted the carpet in a red monochromatic ensemble and a black leather jacket. His Dolce & Gabbana look was a much-needed upgrade from the snooze-fest men seem to put on for events (Fishman, 2021).
We love seeing more men putting in effort and showing their personal styles at award shows. What really completed The Rock’s look was his confidence and swag-two things he always seems to exude. Needless to say, we are big fans of The Rock’s red carpet style.
Outerbanks star Madelyn Cline stunned the red carpet just hours after announcing the Netflix show would be renewed for a third season (Cantor, 2021). Cline donned an asymmetrical two-piece Versace set that was glamorous yet youthful (Vargas, 2021). Covered in black crystals and pinned together with diamond safety pins, the look was refreshing amongst cookie-cutter dresses. The ensemble was perfectly pulled together with strappy black heels, a slicked-back spiky topknot and striking, sophisticated makeup. We can’t wait to see more of her in the new season!
Sex/Life's co-stars, Adam Demos and Sarah Shahi, made their debut as a couple at the PCA's. They both looked steaming hot as fans were thrilled to see them together. Demos rocked a dark suit with a brown pattern. He wore a simple t underneath, giving both an authentic and classy appearance. Shahi accompanied him closely in a stunning Balmain dress with a sexy slit and chain linked straps (Gray, 2021). We loved seeing Demos stepping up his game with a bold and anything but boring look!
Actress Sarah Hyland attended the award show in a gorgeous, white two-piece set designed by Vera Wang. The set featured a flouncy mini skirt and a puffy off-the-shoulder top that was nothing short of extravagant. Hyland matched the Wang set with white Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps and floral earrings (Royce, 2021). The white accessories made for an elegant monochrome look, and the mini skirt with the ultra-tall heels made Hyland’s legs look amazing. She appeared refined and fun, with a bit of a Parisian twist, and we loved it.
The multitalented Jojo Siwa stepped out in one of her best looks yet. Siwa explained on the red carpet that over the past year she has been transitioning her style to become a bit more mature, but still authentic to her. We think she accomplished her goal perfectly in a pink tulle Jenny Packham gown and lucite heels (Holender, 2021). The dress looked straight out of a fairy tale, and it complimented Siwa’s bubbly personality. The star also wore her hair in french braids that cascaded into loose curls, which was very different from her iconic slicked-back ponytail. Siwa was an ethereal beauty at the PCA, and we excitedly await her next looks as he continues this fashion transition.
17-year-old TikTok sensation Charli D'Amelio stepped out looking red-hot on the carpet. Her Dolce & Gabbana look hugged her curves, complimenting her toned dancer physique (Blatz, 2021). Charli topped off her look with a dark red lip and aggressive wavy side bangs. We were happy to see Charli trying a different look, and this Old Hollywood inspired one was stunning on her!
Biggest Flops
TikToker Avani Gregg stepped out in a Yves Saint Laurent LBD (Gregg, 2021). The thick black choker attached to the off-the-shoulder dress was a 2016 teenage girl’s dream for her Homecoming dance. Not only did the look feel outdated, but it aged Avani. Girl, you are adorable and playful with makeup—do better!
We’re usually disappointed in the boring looks men pull together. While we spotted some plain suits on the red carpet, the leading ladies of reality television did the disappointing this time around.
Let’s start with Bachelor Nation. Ex-Bachelorette and newly single Tayshia Adams stepped out in a magenta Solace London gown (Rushford, 2021). Tayshia, we love you, but we expected more. Step it up; show Zack Clark what he’s missing!
Similarly, ex-Bachelorette Katie Thurston wore the most hideous gold two-piece set covered in rainbow flowers designed by Ezgi Cinar (Sarah, 2021). Alongside Katie is new boyfriend John Hersey looking like a last-minute Homecoming date. If the purpose of this look was to distract fans from her numerous scandals at the moment, we can say: Katie, you succeeded.
As with Tayshia, Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause seemed to also have picked her dress from the Macy’s prom dress department. Chrishell showed off her newly dark brown hair with a red Genny gown (Jackson, 2021). With many cutouts and a bow on her chest, we are very confused.
There are so many problems with Selling Sunset’s Mary Fitzergald’s look. The royal blue gown resemblant of a Justice lace camisole was ill-fitting and made Mary look very orange. Not to mention the clear heels, displaying Mary’s squished toes. Yuck.
To Dorit Kemsley and Porschia Williams from the Real Housewives franchise, let’s pull our red carpet looks from somewhere other than Fashion Nova, please.
Halle Berry is a deeply talented actress and artist, but some trends are best left in the 2000s along with Blackberry phones and dial-up internet. The whole ensemble just seems a bit tired and overdone, as if the generous dowsing of sequins could dazzle and distract from the ensemble’s less charming sides. The outfit was just not very flattering and seemed a bit cheap, likely the result of the jumpsuit being constructed entirely of differing shades of plastic sequins with remarkably flimsily construction to boot.
Green may be the color of the season, but this phosphorescent neon green does little to flatter Leslie Jones, serving more to distract than to accentuate. What is more, the entire outfit does not seem cohesive being that the shoes and purse cannot help but be swallowed up and disrupted by the overbearing hue of the dress.
Conversation Starting
Clara’s Opinion
Say what you want about Kim Kardashian, but you have to admit the maven is a marketing genius, and her Balenciaga look proves this (Fishman, 2021). It seems that Kim has been creating a capsule collection; her recent red carpet looks are all cohesive. This particular look is feminine, futuristic and beautifully detailed.
These looks keep people talking about her. To mention her People’s Choice look, we have to acknowledge its similarity to her Met Gala and Saturday Night Live looks.
Additionally, her loungewear brand, Skims, just launched a collection of bodysuits, so she is working to put them on-trend.
Zack’s Opinion
There are few who can deny the impacts Kim Kardashian has had on the fashion industry; nevertheless, this recent collaboration with Balenciaga has left something to be desired. While some said that Kim’s separation from Kanye would fundamentally change her fashion approach, this cannot be farther from the truth, with this Balenciaga collaboration feeling more like a promotional shoot for Ye’s album Donda than a purely Kim moment.
Jane’s Opinion
TikTok star Addison Rae caught my attention immediately with her ‘90s inspired look. Rae may have not looked dressed for a 2021 red carpet event, but I loved that she was bringing a fresh look to the PCA and emulating ‘90s fashion perfectly. The floral Betsy Johnson dress had hints of shimmery and ruffle layers which was the perfect youthful direction for Rae. While the dress alone may have been underwhelming, the Dior choker and Jimmy Choo shoes paired with it created a funky and cohesive red carpet moment (Mau, 2021). As ‘90s fashion trends come back in full force, it is fun to see them on the red carpet as well as in street style.
Jessica’s Opinion
We’ve all heard the theory that Addison’s team makes her dress bad on purpose. She gets criticism for her style, her fans rush in to defend her and she ends up getting a lot of public attention.
This look is better than many of her recent looks. Honestly, the dress is pretty; it’s emblematic of 90s peak Betsy Johnson. But it doesn’t scream red carpet.
Especially with the burgundy beaded choker cutting off her neck, I feel like the look doesn’t do anything for her. For an up-and-coming star, she looks dull, muted, washed out.
Sources:
Cantor, B. (2021, December 7). “Outer Banks” Stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Strokes Attend People’s Choice Awards Hours After Season 3 Renewal Announcement. Headline Planet.
Fishman, E. (2021, December 7). People's Choice Awards 2021 red carpet: See all the celebrity fashion. Page 6.
Jackson, D. (2021, December 8). Chrishell Stause Dyes Her Hair Brown: "Needed a Change". Women's Health.
Sarah, A. [@ashleysarahtyle]. (2021, December 8). “@thekatiethurston 🔥x @peopleschoice ✨
#styledbyashleysarah x @styledbybrittruth” [Photograph]. Instagram.
Gregg, A [@avani]. (2021, December 10). “that one time when” [Photograph]. Instagram.
Rushford, A. (2021, December 8). 'Bachelorette' Star Tayshia Adams Elevates Strapless Pink Dress With Rhinestone Sandals at People's Choice Awards 2021. Yahoo.
Holender, S. Pretty in Pink! Jojo Siwa Looks Like a Literal Princess at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. US Magazine.
Blatz, M. (2021, December 8). Charli's 2021 PCA's Red Carpet Look Was So Unlike Her. Elite Daily.
Gray, A. (2021, December 8). Sex/Life co-stars and real life couple Sarah Shahi and Adam Demos make red carpet debut. Daily Mail Online.
Mau, D. (2021, December 8). Peak Vintage Betsey Johnson Returns to the Red Carpet Via Addison Rae. Fashionista.
Royce, A. (2021, December 7). Sarah Hyland Gets Dramatic in Two-Piece Dress and Sky-High Louboutins at People’s Choice Awards 2021. Footwear News.
Vargas, C. (2021, December 7). Whoa! We Need a Moment to Process Madelyn Cline’s Asymmetrical Versace Dress at the PCAs. Popsugar.