As the daughter of legendary comedian Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers has seen her fair share of Hollywood fashion hits and misses — so she knows exactly what separates a red carpet knockout from a style faux pas.
Melissa got a front-row look at Tinseltown’s sartorial choices at the 2026 Emmy Awards as stars made their way down the red carpet at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, exclusively telling Us why Zendaya earned the title of “best dressed” in her fashion-forward eyes.
“Zendaya, Zendaya, Zendaya,” Melissa raved to Us of the Euphoria actress and Emmy nominee, 30, who dazzled in a crystal-embellished Prada design with a short pixie haircut, adding, “She is so head and shoulders above everyone else.”
Melissa continues, “It wasn’t a night of staggeringly good fashion. There seemed to be a lot of people who had one part that was amazing and then another part that wasn’t, you know, and I’ll use Selena Gomez as the example.”
Emmy nominee Gomez, 34, sparkled in a figure-hugging gold Louis Vuitton gown with Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
“The dress was fabulous,” Melissa says. “The hair and makeup was really pretty, as always, but very natural. I felt like it was two separate looks.”
The pop culture expert and host of “Melissa Rivers’ Group Text Podcast” pointed out, “I understand why that sometimes is the styling decision, but that gold dress was amazing and beautiful and showstopping.” She added, “I think even if her eye makeup had been a little darker, I mean, it really is just tweaks.”
Another star who earned high praise from the Fashion Police alum was Florence Pugh, who she said “looked amazing” in Vivienne Westwood. Melissa gave Us some additional notes about the star’s tousled updo, admitting, “But the hair didn’t work for me.”
Melissa continued of Pugh, who presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, “I understand, you know, Vivienne Westwood is very edgy and rock ’n’ roll, and I think that’s what she tried to do with the hair, but the dress had so many great elements, the hair to me … distracted from it.”
Sarah Pidgeon, one of the 2026 nominees for her role in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, also looked “spectacular” in Chanel, Melissa told Us, revealing that only one leading man earned her best dressed list: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nominee Steve Carell.
“I like the really traditional formal man’s look,” she continued. “I am appreciating these men who are taking fashion risks, but honestly, my best are always the ones that are perfectly tailored.”
As for Melissa’s “honorable mention,” that went to none other than presenter Niecy Nash-Betts, who was ravishing in a red gown from the couture house of Khaled & Marwan.
In addition to Melissa’s podcast, fans can enjoy a blast from the past on her newly launched YouTube channel, The Joan Rivers Show, which features classic and iconic interviews from the late comedian’s historic daytime talk show.
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