Award season is the Super Bowl of fashion. While there are still major shows ahead this year, some red carpet looks have already been more memorable than others. And it’s not because they were so crazy they’ll go down in infamy (a meat dress come to mind). It’s because they looked like cosplays.
Cosplay is a major pastime of fans everywhere, who work tirelessly to produce costumes identical to their favorite characters’ most iconic outfits. These fashionable celebrity gowns just so happened to resemble some well-known fan favorites. Maybe celebs really are like us after all. These are the ten best accidental celebrity cosplays of the season so far.
Amy Poehler: Wicked Witch Of The West
Amy Poehler was fierce at the Golden Globes in a glittering long-sleeved gown by Sergio Hudson. But with the sharp shoulders, cinched waist, and green sheen, Poehler looked like she was bound for the Emerald City instead of in a fabulous homage to the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz.
But she was no wicked witch in real life. In fact, she brought the house down for an entirely different reason: Poehler and Taylor Swift had the crowd in stitches as they settled a long-running feud while presenting Best Animated Movie. Not long after, the Golden Globes announced Poehler would return as its host alongside best friend Tina Fey. The jury is out on whether they will do a buddy cosplay.
Natalie Portman: Darth Vader
Natalie Portman stunned in this Dior ensemble at the Oscars, but her dark dress’ metallic detailing and long, black cape bore a strong resemblance to one of Star Wars’ most famous figures: Darth Vader. Seeing as Portman played Padme Amidala in the love-them-or-hate-them prequels, the comparison couldn’t be helped.
Unlike the tragic story of Darth Vader, Portman emerged as an awards season hero. She turned heads with a shout-out to snubbed female directors, having eight deserving names embroidered on her cape and making Padme proud.
Janelle Monae: Arwen
Lord of the Rings fans must be geeking out over Janelle Monae’s get-up. She had fashionistas everywhere ogling over her dramatic and dazzling Ralph Lauren cape at the Oscars. While the get-up gave off major space vibes, a closer look at the hood reveals Big Arwen Energy. Arwen is the half-Elven character played by Liv Tyler in the Lord of the Rings movie adaptations.
Arwen’s silver cape makes its appearance during The Return of the King, when she is preparing to leave Middle-Earth and making her way to Gray Havens. Meanwhile, Janelle Monae rocked this far-out cape on the Oscars red carpet. Monae opened the show with a musical sequence paying homage to all the year’s buzziest flicks; unfortunately, her cosplay didn’t make it to the stage.
Zoey Deutch: Belle
Zoey Deutch was out for adventure in the great wide somewhere at the Golden Globes this year. With her dark locks and bold yellow ensemble, Deutch accidentally turned up in a high-fashion spin on Belle’s iconic ball gown that could come straight out of Beauty and the Beast. Belle’s name means beauty, and Deutch looked incredible.
Her bell-sleeved, floor-length jumpsuit was made by Fendi, paired with Harry Winston jewelry. Disney is remaking everything these days; maybe Deutch is available for a future live-action adaptation. She’s already got a new take on a tale as old as time ready to go in her closet.
Kaitlyn Dever: Jessica Rabbit
Kaitlyn Dever shined at the Oscars, decked out in a Louis Vuitton gown embroidered with thousands of Swarovski crystals (and Aldo heels, so relatable). This gorgeous red gown simply screams Jessica Rabbit, the animated sensation from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The comparison is hard to miss with its va-va-voom shape and sweetheart neckline. Jessica Rabbit would surely approve.
The actress was the star of breakout hit Booksmart, which many believed was snubbed at the Oscars. Still, Dever came away with headlines about her bombshell look, and they may not be about what you’d expect: Dever actually teamed up with Red Carpet Green Dress to make this eco-friendly, custom gown. Relatable and sustainable; that’s a win in anyone’s book.
Laura Dern: Padmé Amidala
Laura Dern joined the Star Wars franchise for The Last Jedi as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, but this Vanity Fair after party ensemble is a throwback to Padme Amidala in Attack of the Clones. It’s a dead ringer for the Padme’s leather dress in the prequel, which she wore during a dinner with Anakin Skywalker (rumored to be designed by George Lucas himself!).
Dern originally donned this 1017 ALYX 9SM dress in 1995, but this year, she brought an even better accessory: an Oscar, fresh off her win for Best Supporting Actress in Marriage Story. It’s no surprise that Laura Dern would (accidentally or otherwise) cosplay as a Star Wars character. She admitted to being a big fan of the franchise herself; she couldn’t resist saying “pew, pew” when firing her blasters during filming.
Rose Leslie: Princess Fiona
Green is a natural fit for Rose Leslie’s gorgeous red hair, but it also makes her a dead ringer for Princess Fiona from Shrek. Try to see anything other than Fiona’s recognizable dress when looking at Leslie’s beautifully beaded Elie Saab gown. It’s a perfect match, even down to the green shoes and simple updo.
Leslie joined husband Kit Harrington at the Golden Globes, where he was nominated for his performance as Jon Snow Game of Thrones. Although the final season has come and gone, here’s hoping for some more red-carpet appearances from the stylish duo next year.
Jennifer Lopez: Anna Of Arendelle
Disneybounding is a big deal these days. Fans wear character-inspired ensembles everywhere, especially to the Disney theme parks and marathons. It appears like celebs are no exception: Jennifer Lopez’s Valentino ballgown makes for an especially glamorous cosplay of Anna from Frozen.
The crown braid, full skirt, and gorgeous greens and golds brought to mind Anna’s coronation gown in the first movie. J. Lo rocked this number to the Golden Globes, where she was nominated as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Ramona in Hustlers. Her dress got the meme treatment on Twitter, but we recognize it as an accidental cosplay fit for a queen.
Lauren Graham: Katniss Everdeen
Lauren Graham could be the Girl on Fire in her one-shoulder Azzi & Osta dress. The color, asymmetrical neckline and fit-and-flare shape help this easily pass for a cosplay of Katniss Everdeen’s first interview outfit with Caesar Flickerman in The Hunger Games, where she famously spun the hem of her dress into flames.
Meanwhile, Graham wore hers to record interviews on the Golden Globes red carpet alongside Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist costar Jane Levy. She paired her dress with a clutch by Stuart Weitzman and heels from Miu Miu, even wearing jewels from the aptly named brand Hearts on Fire. Maybe it wasn’t an accidental cosplay, after all?
Ariana Grande: Katniss Everdeen
Award season traditionally constitutes the run-up to the Oscars, but it’d be a crime to leave out some of the best accidental cosplays of the Grammys, too. And in the case of Ariana Grande, it’s another Katniss Everdeen look, but this time it brings to mind Katniss’ wedding dress from the second flick, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Grande could easily walk off the red carpet and onto the tributes stage in this pale gown with voluminous ruffles, custom-designed by Giambattista Valli. The memorable dress earned her shout-outs on numerous best-dressed lists, as well as millions of likes on Instagram.
