Actress Meg Stalter made a striking entrance at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, opting for a daring costume that transformed her into a living embodiment of the coveted award itself. Stalter, known for her role as Kayla Schaefer in the acclaimed series Hacks, arrived at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday clad in a shimmering gold ensemble designed to mimic the iconic Emmy statuette.
A Dazzling Red Carpet Transformation
The unique look featured a gold bralette paired with matching bottoms, with the rest of Stalter’s body meticulously painted in a lustrous gold hue. To complete the transformation, she accessorized with a large circular piece held above her head, reminiscent of the Emmy’s globe, and donned open-toed gold pumps. Her hair was swept back and also covered in gold paint, further enhancing the striking visual. Chunky gold belts and necklaces added the finishing touches to the elaborate costume.
Stalter was not alone on the red carpet; she was joined by her Hacks co-star Paul W. Downs, who sported a classic dark navy double-breasted suit. Inside the venue, Stalter continued to embrace her Emmy persona, seen mingling with other celebrities, including fellow Hacks star Hannah Einbinder.
Social Media Reacts to the Audacious Outfit
Stalter’s bold fashion choice immediately ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Opinions were sharply divided, with some users criticizing the costume as “obnoxiously annoying” and “a whole mess,” with one commenter likening it to a Halloween outfit. Others found the look perplexing, with one user questioning, “Lmao what is this she’s wearing, this is actually weird.”
However, a significant number of fans and observers applauded Stalter’s creativity and confidence. Many expressed admiration for her unique style, with comments such as “Ugh I love her so much! An icon!” and “She is always doing way too much i lowkey love it LMFAOOOO.” Another user celebrated her presence, stating, “Meg Stalter has arrived and is absolutely owning the #Emmys carpet! What a look!”
The Inspiration Behind the Costume
Speaking with NBC News on the red carpet, Stalter revealed that the elaborate Emmy award costume was “thrown together really fast.” She expressed her excitement about attending the ceremony and gave a shout-out to her stylist, who helped bring the concept to life on the morning of the event.
The Emmy statue itself is described by the Television Academy as a “glistening, winged muse of art with an atom of science in her grasp.” The statuette, weighing just over six pounds, is plated with 24-karat gold over a base of nickel, copper, and metal.
Stalter’s History of Memorable Red Carpet Moments
This is not the first time Meg Stalter has garnered attention for her distinctive red carpet fashion. Earlier in the year, at the 31st Critics Choice Awards, both she and Paul W. Downs made a statement by wearing matching vibrant orange outfits, a nod to a similar style previously worn by Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
Emmy Nomination and Show Success
Meg Stalter received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in Hacks. The series itself was a strong contender at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, securing a total of seven nominations. Notably, Jean Smart earned a win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Downs recounted an amusing anecdote about Stalter’s reaction to her own nomination. He shared in an interview with The Wrap that when he first tried to inform her, she initially didn’t pick up the phone, being engrossed in reality television. After a text and a subsequent call, she expressed disbelief, thinking he was playing a prank on her when he revealed her individual Emmy nomination.
The critically acclaimed HBO series Hacks concluded its fifth and final season in May.
