Zoe Saldaña won the first Oscar of the night in Yves Saint Laurent: one of the worst looks?


As Zoe Saldaña swept the Best Supporting Actress category this awards season we really saw that she wears her heart on her sleeve. She got choked up in almost every speech, and it was moving. Zoe feels things deeply, and that obviously informs her work because she’s capitivating on screen. For all the things you can say about Emilia Perez, Zoe turned in an incredible and mesmerizing performance. I’m happy for her and I hope to see more of her on screen for years to come. Here’s Zoe’s acceptance speech. She said “I’m the proud child of immigrant parents” and that she was the first American of Dominican descent to win.

Zoe’s fashion last night was largely considered a miss. She wore an Yves Saint Laurent empire waist gown with a sequin bandeau top with a skirt made of layered balloons of fabric. The top might have worked in a different gown and maybe the bottom could be salvaged with a more voluminous dress but the overall effect was fug. I would also like to have seen bolder makeup. She’s so pretty though and I dig her fabulous necklace and mesh gloves. They’re very old Hollywood.

Last year’s winner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, presented in this category. Da’vine was in a black strapless sequin and silk Tamara Ralph. It’s kind of a snooze but it’s lovely for a presenter. We saw several dresses like that last night. I like the trailing chiffon.

Speaking of nondescript dresses, Amy Poehler was in a strapless black mermaid style gown. She presented best original screenplay, which went to Sean Baker for Anora. Amy made her red carpet debut with her boyfriend, Joel Lovett! He’s a former editor for the NY Times, according to JustJared. They’re cute together!

I’m including presenter Meg Ryan here, although this Ashi Studio gown is kind of banging. It’s classic and striking and I like the bold jewel tone. Meg’s bit with Billy Crystal presenting Best Picture was fun. I forgot how many times he’s hosted The Oscars.

Presenter Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher (Maria) was in a crazy ruffled Valentino gown that I mildly respect. Valentino so often toes the fug line but makes up for it in whimsy. This is very Beetlejuice-coded. Valentino did her makeup too and this seems to be her standard look. There’s something IDGAF about this. She’s also reminding us that we could have had Angelina Jolie at the Oscars.

photos credit: Avalon.red

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39 Responses to “Zoe Saldaña won the first Oscar of the night in Yves Saint Laurent: one of the worst looks?”

  1. Denguy says:

    I loved Zoe’s dress! She looked amazing.

    • KC says:

      I came here to say this. I loved Zoe’s dress. The way it moved. It was visually arresting.

    • 2131Jan aka Jan90067 says:

      All I could see was Roman shades ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. She needs a better stylist.

    • BeanieBean says:

      Loved the dress but not the gloves. I wouldn’t say mesh gloves are Old Hollywood; opera gloves, yes, but not this pantyhose thing she’s got going. The gown seems vaguely Regency Era to me.

  2. Amy Bee says:

    Da’vine is wearing Tamara Ralph.

    • Celebitchy says:

      Thanks Amy I’ll edit that!

    • SJI says:

      I tuned in a few times back and forth, since I’m usually not invested in any award shows. I like to see the fashion though. But I happened to catch Zoe on stage, and was like, “Why is she practically screaming during this speech, and also wearing this terrible dress?” One of the worst looks of the night.

  3. LolaB says:

    Da’Vine’s dress is a custom Tamara Ralph Couture.

  4. Slippers4life says:

    Love the colours and the mesh of the gown. Not a fan of the ballooning style, but maybe I’m just old. I feel like if it had gone into an a line or a mermaid it would be stunning, but maybe I need to be more open minded. Overall, Zoe looks better than I ever would. Lol

    • Yup, Me says:

      I agree about the colors and mesh. And that deep burgundy fabric looks like it’s SO soft to touch and against the body.

      The shape is meh, but I bet Zoe was really comfortable wearing it.

      I also love how the lining of the top matches her skin perfectly and contributes to the overall look that she is glowing/sparkling/radiant.

  5. Nlopez says:

    I’m so glad Zoe won! I hate the dress though. She’s so lovely, and that dress did nothing for her. She deserved better!

  6. Ellie71 says:

    Meg Ryan was there I haven’t seen her in ages . Has she been out of the spotlight or have I just missed what she’s been up to . ??

    • Dani says:

      I didn’t recognize her! Thought she was Kate Capshaw initially until I zoomed in on the picture

    • SJI says:

      I agree about the color and the mesh bit. I think it could have been flattering if it was all a different style. The top could have been a deep V-neck, or anything that isn’t straight across, like a tube top. And the bottom was just awful. The balloon thing was silly, but a nice color.

    • BeanieBean says:

      Well, you know, older woman in Hollywood & all that. 🙄

  7. seraphina says:

    I bet Zoe was very comfortable and didn’t have to worry about what she ate that day, so a win-win.

  8. tamsin says:

    Zoe’s dress is just plain silly, and she was adorably cute in it. It’s a memorable image. I agree it was probably a lot more comfortable than all the elegant mermaid and fitted silhouettes. How does Zoe’s mesh top stay in place? Is it wired? Still more comfy looking than a bustier bodice, though.

  9. Lightpurple says:

    Meg Ryan wasn’t comfortable in that dress at all. While she was presenting with Crystal, she adjusted and hiked up the top at least 4 times.

    • maisie says:

      it had a big shiny spot in the back, I think the fabric was crushed while she was sitting.

    • Felicity Fox says:

      It looked as though she was limping when she walked to stage front.

      Also, what was with SO many actors there with super shiny foreheads…and faces? It was super distracting to me (not in a good way). Was it Botox, broad highlighter, oil, sweat? It was really unfortunate and made me want to lightly press a tissue to their faces.

  10. Is That So? says:

    Zoe Saldana’s dress reminds me of something from the Ascot scene in My Fair Lady, except it would have been in a debutant pastel.

  11. SIde Eye says:

    Really liked Amy’s look here and I loved her nail polish. You could really see it when she opened the envelope to announce the winner.

  12. Sassy says:

    Zoe’s dress is just as ugly as that fake apology she gave to Mexico during her acceptance speech. I said what I said.

  13. Sue says:

    I didn’t like Zoe’s dress when I first saw a photo of it but I thought it looked better In motion? Her speech. Omg. Calling out for her mom and then crying out in joy when she saw her in the audience. I was water works.

  14. Lady Digby says:

    Rachel Zegler’s drab net curtain which dragged down her boobs was one of the worst looks of the night.

  15. Grant says:

    I’m telling myself that Zoe won for Center Stage. I hated Emilia Perez, just my opinion.

    This look was a miss for me. The color is gorgeous but the fit and the draping is weird.

  16. likethedirection says:

    Zoe’s was the ninth award, not the first. I had to look it up because I thought maybe I was going crazy

  17. MsIam says:

    I like the top of Zoe’s gown but the skirt is giving maternity dress.

  18. phlyfiremama says:

    Zoe looks like the curtains from an old timey saloon/brothel stage. 🤣🤣🤣 I’m trying to see the strings that lift the curtains up. 🤣

  19. KC says:

    I have never heard an Oscar presentation as gracious and lovely as Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s for Best Supporting Actress. She was poetic.

    And for whatever reason. Zoe Saldana and Julianne Moore are two actresses that are just a bit off in dressing. So gorgeous, but they need better stylists.

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