Ariana Grande has recently faced backlash over her more mature appearance and thinner frame, and her attendance at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards only added fuel to the fire.
Ariana Grande turns heads in a custom pale green Louis Vuitton gown at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Centre on January 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, California (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Ariana Grande’s Custom Louis Vuitton Gown: A Fashion Miss?
Ariana Grande graced the red carpet in a custom-made Louis Vuitton gown featuring a bold bubble skirt. While the outfit undeniably made a statement, it received mixed reactions, with some questioning its overall appeal.
Her futuristic metallic pale green gown was striking, but not necessarily in a positive way. I find the color dull, the strapless bodice unflattering, and the balloon skirt, which has horizontal lines, strikingly similar to a deflated gym ball.
However, I appreciate the subtle nod to her latest film, Wicked. The voluminous round skirt has a bubble-like form that seems to reference her character Glinda’s mode of transportation.
Ariana Grande’s custom Louis Vuitton dress, which resembles a deflated gym ball, is a nod to her Wicked character Glinda’s bubble transportation (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
Minimal Accessories Fail to Elevate the Look
Ariana accessorized with minimal jewelry, including an elegant diamond choker necklace, a ring, and a pair of Chopard earrings, but the look still fell short of achieving the desired result. While the necklace added a touch of glamour, it wasn’t enough to redeem the overall appearance, in my opinion.
Ditching her Glinda-inspired look, Ariana embraced Audrey Hepburn for the occasion. She fashioned her blonde hair in a stylish bun with side-swept baby bangs cut right above her eyebrows.
While I adore how the hairdo gave the ensemble a fun, youthful vibe, Ariana’s makeup fell flat. Her winged eyeliner, fluttery eyelashes, and matte white eyeshadow seem to have aged her. A touch of pink lip gloss and a dab of peachy blush gave the ensemble some color.
Ariana Grande fashions her hair in Audrey Hepburn’s iconic side-swept baby bangs and wears matte white eyeshadow and pink lipstick (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Jimmy Choo’s Romy Pumps: A Timeless Touch
I’m not a fan of Ariana’s dress, but I love the white heels she wore with it. She donned one of Jimmy Choo’s most popular styles, the “Romy” pumps with pointed toes and slim stiletto heels, boosting her 5’ 1/2” height.
These ladylike pumps are made from silky satin and can be purchased for $610 at Farfetch.
Ariana Grande completes her whimsical Palm Springs ensemble with white silk satin pumps by Jimmy Choo (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Ariana Grande’s choice of the Jimmy Choo “Romy” pumps at the Palm Springs International Film Awards highlights the enduring popularity of this classic silhouette. Worn by stars like Olivia Munn during the ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ fan screening, these pointed-toe heels continue to dominate red carpet fashion.
Chloë Grace Moretz also made headlines pairing her “Romy” heels with a stunning ensemble at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event, further cementing their status as a celebrity favorite.
The satin iteration that Ariana wore is part of Jimmy Choo’s exquisite bridal collection, making them a top choice for weddings and formal occasions. For more inspiration, check out our comprehensive guide on essential pump styles every woman should own and elevate your wardrobe with timeless elegance.
Ariana Grande Addresses Criticism During Her Rising Star Award Speech
In addition to receiving criticism for her gown, Ariana Grande’s Rising Star Award acceptance speech caused a stir among online users.
Many fans were disappointed when Ariana joked that she was grateful for “Botox and Juvederm” for her appearance.
“Thank you guys so much. You don’t know how much it means to me,” Grande said. “I’ve been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words ‘rising star’ again, so I wanted to start by thanking my two friends: Botox and Juvederm. I thought I’d be hearing ‘slightly withering star’ or ‘drooping star’ by now, so thank you!”
Her remarks did not sit well with the fans. One said, “She lacks professionalism, and she’s only 31 — like how awkward for all the older women in the crowd. She hides her prejudice under the guise of a sense of humor.”
Another added, “31 isn’t even f***ing old. ‘I look so young’ humble brag.”
Cynthia Erivo Shines in Black and White Louis Vuitton at Palm Springs
Ariana’s Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo also attended the event wearing a custom Louis Vuitton dress. Hers was more elegant than Ariana’s, with a white lapel collar, a fitted silhouette, and a short train. It also has a navel-deep plunging neckline reflecting Erivo’s fearless fashion approach.
Cynthia styled the look with diamond dangling drop earrings, ear crawlers, a few diamond rings, and her nose ring.
Cynthia Erivo wears a custom black Louis Vuitton dress with a short train, plunging neckline, and white lapels (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Cynthia Erivo’s fearless fashion journey continues to captivate audiences with her bold choices and impeccable sense of style. From her stunning green vinyl Louis Vuitton dress at the ‘Wicked’ Los Angeles premiere to the sleek and sophisticated Moschino power suit paired with statement-making Christian Louboutin boots at the London photocall, Erivo consistently redefines elegance with an edge.
Her whimsical yet chic grape-printed Balmain gown at the 2024 Gold Gala further highlights her ability to blend playful motifs with high-fashion sophistication. For a closer look at her red carpet triumphs and how she masters bold silhouettes, explore our feature on Cynthia Erivo’s standout fashion moments and get inspired by her daring wardrobe choices.
