Chappell Roan is no stranger to turning heads with her fashion choices, and her daring take on the sheer dress trend at the Grammys last night was no exception.
The “Hot to Go” singer stepped onto the red carpet at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles in a bold, naked look, wearing a burgundy gown layered over a nude bodysuit. Upon arrival, she lifted the cape to reveal her breasts, with the Mugler cowl-neck dress hooked onto hoops from her nipples. The striking design was first seen in black at Thierry Mugler’s 1998 couture show, cementing its place in fashion history.
Despite the viral attention surrounding her appearance, the 27-year-old walked away empty-handed after being nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her song The Subway. Newsweek reached out to representatives for Chappell Roan via email outside of their normal working hours.
In 2025, Roan won Best New Artist and returned to the Grammys stage this year to present the same award to pop sensation Olivia Dean. For the presentation, she opted for a less-revealing look, wearing a floor-length, cream-colored gown.
As images of her red-carpet look circulated online, social media users were quick to weigh in, with many rushing to defend the singer’s sartorial risk-taking.
“Everyone is mad about this but I think it’s a f****** vibe. Stop being puritan bummers. Also, if you’re frustrated because “my kids are watching” the Grammys wasn’t created for your CHILD,” said one user.
“I see we’re hating on Chappell Roan. And the talking points are tired. It’s not boring. It’s vampiric, simplified Grecian silhouettes, it’s Gothic. She isn’t buried in accessories. She looks like she stepped out of a pool of blood. And that color of red. That is the statement,” added another.
Others took a more-technical approach, shutting down claims that the look was unsafe or reckless.
“Chappell Roan’s Grammys look seems to prove that people’s critical thinking is in the toilet. no, she is not mutilating herself for fashion. she has custom pasties blended into her skin, and likely a nude mesh top for stability (look at the neckline). the dress is secured to the silicon pasties. the pasties are likely adhered with a high-grade adhesive to prevent mishaps, even if something was tugged. like, i know i have a fair amount of knowledge re: makeup & prosthetics, but c’mon man,” shared another user.
Roan’s headline-making ensemble came just one year after Kanye West’s wife, Bianca Censori, sparked controversy by attending the 2025 awards in a completely naked dress. The growing prevalence of nude and barely-there looks has even prompted pushback elsewhere, with the Cannes Film Festival recently banning naked outfits from its red carpet.
The night’s biggest winners included Bad Bunny, who took home Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA won Record of the Year for “Luther.” Billie Eilish claimed Song of the Year with “Wildflower,” and Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist. Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” Lady Gaga secured Best Pop Vocal Album with Mayhem, and Jelly Roll won Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken.
Still, not everyone was impressed by Roan’s fashion moment.
“Sorry to be unimaginative but it looked painful and ugly. Her breast were pulled down not prettily and the color of the shift was not pretty. I just thought, yuk. And ouch. Not the look.i think she was going for,” shared one critic.
Another viewer echoed similar concerns, particularly around visibility and younger audiences.
“I like Chappell Roan’s music. But what she wore at the Grammys is exactly why I do not allow my daughters, aged 11 and 13, to have social media. I understand pushing boundaries. I understand being risqué. But what she did, and what Bianca Censori does, is questionable. Nudity as art is one thing. Self expression is another. This crosses into something else. And when anyone speaks up about it, the response,” they added.
