Governors Awards 2025 Red Carpet: Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, Elle Fanning and More Shine Despite the Storm
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Even with LA’s weather trying its hardest, the Governors Awards red carpet turned into a master class in power-dressing from this year’s biggest contenders.
Los Angeles spent the night fighting rain, wind and a citywide gridlock nightmare, but the 16th Governors Awards moved forward with the kind of determination only award-season insiders truly understand. By the time the carpet opened at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, umbrellas were snapping, gowns were pinned, and every publicist on the block instantly regretted their footwear — but the arrivals never slowed. If anything, the weather gave the night more electricity. The Governors Awards matter. Everyone in the Academy knows it, and every contender shows up accordingly.
The ceremony, which pays tribute to industry legends through Non-Competitive Honorary Oscars, honored Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas, with Dolly Parton receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Parton did not attend due to health concerns, but her shadow was felt throughout the ballroom. Year after year, this is one of the most strategically important nights of the season — a room filled not just with nominees, but with the filmmakers, power reps, and studio teams shaping the months ahead. For anyone charting the awards narrative, the Governors Awards remain far more than a dinner. They’re a temperature check.
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Elle Fanning arrived in a sculptural cream look that moved beautifully under the ballroom lights, a reminder that she remains one of Hollywood’s most consistent, elegant red-carpet interpreters. Jeremy Strong followed shortly after, sporting a razor-sharp suit and the kind of deliberateness that echoes everything he brings to screen. Ariana Grande stepped out in a high-glam silhouette that felt as much like a debutante moment as a reaffirmation of her place in the season’s conversation.
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Sydney Sweeney delivered a sleek, modern interpretation of old-Hollywood glamour, Gwyneth Paltrow returned to the awards-season circuit with her signature minimalism, and Celine Song — now a fixture following her breakout success — showed up with the grounded, unfussy confidence of a filmmaker who knows she belongs in every room she enters. Lana Condor embodied youthful sophistication, while Debbie Allen glowed with the assured presence of someone receiving an honor decades in the making.
Marlee Matlin’s arrival drew one of the loudest welcomes of the night, Lucy Liu delivered a cool, contemporary look that stood out in the sea of gowns, and Diane Warren made a spirited entrance that reminded everyone why she’s beloved on every carpet she touches. William H. Macy offered understated class, Rita Wilson radiated warmth, and Queen Latifah commanded the carpet with the level of presence only she can generate.
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Jurnee Smollett arrived in one of the evening’s softest, most romantic looks, while Michelle Zauner — joined by Japanese Breakfast — gave the carpet a burst of indie-musician energy. Amanda Seyfried’s ensemble balanced precision with softness, Dwayne Johnson exuded friendly titan energy, and Emily Blunt delivered sharp glamour with the kind of effortless poise that speaks volumes on a night like this.
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Lili Reinhart offered something youthful and clean, Joel Edgerton kept it refined and unfussy, and Kaitlyn Dever leaned into a more modern minimalism. Mia Goth arrived in a look that could have stepped straight out of a gothic romance, and Zoey Deutch brought crisp classicism. Cynthia Erivo, as always, treated the carpet like a stage and turned in one of the night’s boldest fashion performances. Octavia Spencer stepped out with signature quiet confidence, while Rian Johnson — a recurring presence among top filmmakers — brought the precise, casual polish that defines his public appearances. And capping off the arrivals, Brendan Fraser brought a grounded warmth that instantly reminded everyone how beloved he remains.
By the time guests made their way inside, the storm outside was still raging, but the Governors Awards had already done what they do every year — signal the tone, the players, and the energy of the season ahead. If this year’s red carpet is any indication, the race is wide open, the industry is fully awake, and nobody’s letting a little rain get in the way of Oscar momentum.
Check Out Photos From Tonight’s Red Carpet Below:
The Governors Awards have always signaled a shift in momentum as the industry heads into the heart of awards season, but this year’s turnout made the message unmistakable. Even with the storm outside, the energy inside the Ray Dolby Ballroom felt like Hollywood at full strength — stars showing up for one another, studios signaling confidence, and contenders positioning themselves for the long road to the Oscars.
With the Honorary Awards celebrating Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas, and a guest list packed with talent from every corner of the industry, the 2025 ceremony proved once again why this night matters. It’s not just a precursor to nominations; it’s where the season finds its tone.
If this red carpet is any indication, the next few months are going to be competitive, unpredictable and very, very crowded. Stay with The Cinema Group for full awards-season coverage.
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