The Most Daring Red Carpet Looks in Golden Globes History

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony is one of the most celebrated nights in Hollywood. Year after year, famous celebrities meet with famous designers to find the perfect dress to strut their stuff. Sometimes the outfits are on the demure side, but more often than not these actresses make a statement with their dresses.

The wildest of them are not to be believed. We’re talking plunging necklines, a lot of leg, plenty of cleavage… you name it! Feast your eyes on the 20 most daring Golden Globes looks of all time…

January Jones in Versace (2011 Golden Globes)

January Jones wore a Versace Spring 2011 gown with red fringes and a deep V cutout neckline that draped down to her waist. The Mad Men actress was critiqued by the Red Carpet Fashion Awards for her daring look. She is a “tad too busty for the dress,” the website wrote.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino (2004 Golden Globes)

Jennifer Aniston exited Friends with a “wow” when she wore a low-cut vintage Valentino design to the 2004 Golden Globes. The risqué belt across her neckline seemed to hold the girls together. Thank goodness it didn’t become undone!

Jennifer Lopez in Marchesa (2009 Golden Globes)

Jennifer Lopez always aims for shock value. Already a mother of two at this time, she wore a gilded golden gown with a barely-there back, part of the Marchesa Spring Summer 2009 collection. Complete with daring cleavage, a nude back, and a plunging neckline, it rivaled other J-Lo dresses that barely covered the girls.

Salma Hayek in Gucci (2020 Golden Globes)

Before hitting the red carpet, Salma Hayek gave fans an advanced look on Instagram at her gown for the evening. Hayek – who burst onto the Hollywood scene with Desperado, and you can see her in the 2020 Marvel film, The Eternals – wore a Gucci dress that consisted of a cream-colored skirt and an eye-popping low-cut blue top. At 53 years old, Hayek can clearly still turn as many heads as she wants in Hollywood.

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab (2017 Golden Globes)

Jessica Biel had the daring duo on this night, a plunging neckline to her waist and a high kick slit in a ballgown skirt that demanded attention. Biel showed off her toned arms in this Elie Saab Fall 2016 Couture design.

Beyoncé in Elie Saab (2009 Golden Globes)

Beyoncé sparkled in a white-beaded Elie Saab strapless gown. The dress dared to show off her mermaid figure, with just enough coverage to hold her girls in place. Oh, and that thigh-high slit! Beyoncé was nominated for Best Original Song – Motion Picture that night, for “Once in a Lifetime” in Cadillac Records.

Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace (2010 Golden Globes)

In 2010, Drew Barrymore won her first Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television — for Grey Gardens. Unlike her character, Edith Bouvier Beale, who wore tablecloths and curtains for clothes, Barrymore took a risk on this evening. She daringly glowed in her Atelier Versace nude gown with sparkling hip-and-shoulder adornments.

Kate Hudson in Versace (2015 Golden Globes)

This Versace dress was a triple dare for Kate Hudson at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards. The first was the color white, which is usually very unflattering unless you’re extremely thin. Secondly, the peekaboo sides that taper down are very unforgiving. Thirdly, the plunging neckline just covers her breasts. Hudson pulled off all three seamlessly.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior (2012 Golden Globes)

Charlize Theron dazzled the red carpet that year for her Best Performance in a Motion Picture nomination for Young Adult. She wore a dusty rose pink chiffon Dior couture gown with a plunging neckline and sexy thigh-high slit. Theron pulled off the draped detail on the hip and the flowing train.

Lea Michele in Marchesa (2012 Golden Globes)

Lea Michele wore a metallic gun-gray antique embroidered illusion dress from the Marchesa Spring 2012 collection. The feathery peekaboos daring you not to look were in all the right places, tapering down to the slinky straight skirt.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci (2012 Golden Globes)

Evan Rachel Wood wore a custom Gucci Première gown in midnight green for her Best Supporting Actress nomination for Mildred Pierce. The halter neck was sequined and see-through. The bigger risk here was the bird-like quality of the dress, which had overlapping fish-scale flakes and ostrich plumes that made their way into a full skirt of iridescent feathers.

Halle Berry in Versace (2013 Golden Globes)

Halle Berry wore a one-shouldered Atelier Versace Fall 2012 gown with an abstract pink pattern. Bringing back the “Angelina” leg, named for Angelina Jolie’s red carpet leg flash at the 84th Academy Awards, Berry confidently showed off her game with a daring thigh-high slit.

Janelle Monae in Armani Prive (2017 Golden Globes)

Janelle Monae made her debut at the 2017 Golden Globes in Armani Prive. The high-low draped gown with front bustle, speckled in black polka dots, made a bold one-of-a-kind statement.

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace (2017 Golden Globes)

Blake Lively did not play it safe strutting the classy velvet Atelier Versace custom gown, which hugged her curves. The pockets accented her hips, adding to the overall dramatic feel.

Naomi Campbell in Atelier Versace (2017 Golden Globes)

This daring otherworldly design, with its intricate strips and panels from Atelier Versace, is a look that only a model like Naomi Campbell could pull off. She is used to strutting the catwalk, so the red carpet must be like a walk in the park.

Kendall Jenner in Giambattista Valli Couture (2018 Golden Globes)

Never one to not provoke, Kendall Jenner made a bold statement in a Giambattista Valli Fall 2017 Couture gown. Jenner strut this inky black tulle ballerina dress, with a shorter front and a mega-long train following behind her.

Keri Russell in Monique Lhuillier (2019 Golden Globes)

Keri Russell, representing the winning The Americans for Best Television Series, stunned the red carpet in a Monique Lhuillier Fall 2018 silver sequin gown with a daring neckline.

Nicole Kidman in Michael Kors Collection (2019 Golden Globes)

Nicole Kidman looked like her mermaid character in Aquaman, wearing a daringly skin-tight burgundy sequined Michael Kors Collection gown. She looked much different than her grungy character in Destroyer, for which she was nominated for a Best Performance Golden Globe.

Lady Gaga in Valentino (2019 Golden Globes)

Nominated for Best Actress in a Drama for A Star Is Born and the winner of Best Original Song “(Shallow”), Lady Gaga strut the red carpet in blue Valentino, with her hair to match. The daring strapless gown featured puffed, off-the-shoulder sleeves and a massive cascading train that required a team of handlers to lift as they trailed behind her.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Fendi (2020 Golden Globes)

Lucky for Gwyneth Paltrow that the weather in Los Angeles was warm for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2020. Paltrow showed up in a see-through, pre-fall 2020 Fendi dress that left little to the imagination. The sheer gown was accompanied by a bikini top and the bottom ruffles barely covered Paltrow’s hind parts.

Kerry Washington in Altuzarra (2020 Golden Globes)

“There are no words.” “Slayed.” “Stuns.” These are just some of the reactions to Kerry Washington’s look at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards. Washington wore a satin black Altuzarra skirt with a thigh-high slit, a black jacket, and no shirt, though she did have diamond body jewelry tied around her chest and waist. When asked if the look might “Break the internet,” Washington said she would be “honored.” Consider the internet broken…

Salma Hayek in Narciso Rodriguez (2003 Golden Globes)

They say hindsight is 20/20 and seeing Salma Hayek on the red carpet in 2020 brought back memories of her first Globes red carpet in 2003. Back then, Hayek’s hourglass figure was just as perfect as it is today when she wore a plunging crimson Narciso Rodriguez dress, paired with matching lipstick.

Billy Porter in Alex Vinash and Jimmy Choo (2020 Golden Globes)

Actor Billy Porter is well known for his interesting red carpet wardrobes and the 2020 Golden Globes was no different. Porter, who was up for Best Actor for Pose, walked the red carpet in a white tuxedo jacket connected to a feather train that was custom-made by Alex Vinash. Porter sported white Jimmy Choo heels, a Tiffany necklace, and a white button-down shirt for a truly angelic look.

Jennifer Lopez in Valentino (2020 Golden Globes)

Perhaps the most divisive dress of the 2020 Golden Globes was Jennifer Lopez in a white Valentino gown with a huge green and gold bow hanging down in front. The Daily Mail called the dress a “bow pas,” while others commented, “No no no no no.” While Lopez was up for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Hustlers, this is one gown that certainly won’t be winning any awards.

Lisa Bonet in Fendi (2020 Golden Globes)

Lisa Bonet and her husband Jason Momoa earned high praise for their style at the 2020 Golden Globes. Bonet wore a 2019 Fendi embroidered dress with sheer sleeves. Momoa matched velvet lace-up shoes with a velvet Tom Ford jacket and black shirt. In a sweet moment during the ceremony, Momoa was seen giving his velvet jacket to Bonet to help keep her warm. The internet was swooning at the couple’s cuteness.

Jayne Mansfield (1958 Golden Globes)

Jayne Mansfield was a classic Hollywood bombshell and there are numerous daring dresses the actress wore through the years. While many know of Mansfield and actress Sophia Loren’s iconic images together from a 1957 20th Century Fox party, 1961 saw Mansfield in her most daring Golden Globes dress. Pictured here is Mansfield in a low-cut, lace-embroidered dress as she laughs with her husband Mickey Hargitay.

Heather Locklear (1996 Golden Globes)

Back in the 1990s, Heather Locklear was one of the hottest actresses around, both in the “looks department” as well as in her talent on screen. For four straight years (1994-97), Locklear was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama for Melrose Place. Though she never won, Locklear did win the red carpet in 1996 with this stunning shimmering gray dress and up-do.

Madonna (1997 Golden Globes)

Madonna has made a career out of daring looks, so it’s no surprise that she went full bore at the 1997 Golden Globes. The singer was in attendance for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for Evita. She eventually won and gave everyone an opportunity to see her incredibly voluptuous figure in a low-cut black dress.

Michelle Williams in Givenchy (2006 Golden Globes)

Michelle Williams made a statement in a purple Givenchy gown, strutting the red carpet with a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Brokeback Mountain that year. The color made it daring, but those multiple tiers topped off her standout look.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier (2012 Golden Globes)

Sarah Michelle Gellar wore a show-stopping Monique Lhuillier Spring 2012 gown. Everyone on the red carpet took notice of the bold blue watercolor print and draping layers. Gellar noted that her daughter, who was 2 years old at the time, chose her dress. You can blame this one on her daughter.

Elizabeth Taylor (1957 Golden Globes)

Over her decades in the film industry, many called Elizabeth Taylor the queen of Hollywood thanks to her choice of roles, as well as her iconic off-screen diva persona. This is why her 1957 Golden Globes outfit, complete with a diamond tiara, has had staying power for almost 70 years.

Cher (1973 Golden Globes)

Cher has long been a style icon, and the 1970s were perhaps the icon at the apex of her powers. This 1973 look still blows us away today thanks to her midriff-baring shirt and pants combo, combined with a beyond over-the-top fur coat. And of course her ultimate accessory at the time, Sonny.

Jane Seymour (1987 Golden Globes)

Jane Seymour looked like a mixture of a fairy princess and a ren-fair superhero, especially thanks to the big poofy dress and the large number of crescent moons decorating it… for some reason.

Whoopi Goldberg (1991 Golden Globes)

At the 1991 Golden Globes, Whoopi Goldberg took home the Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy for her role in Ghost, and she did so wearing one of the snazziest outfits in Golden Globes history. Her orange suit jacket/pencil skirt combo really pops off the screen.

Julia Roberts (1990 Golden Globes)

In 1990, Julia Roberts was one of the world’s biggest movie stars, so it stood to reason that she would wear an extravagant, elegant dress to a major event like the Golden Globes. Instead, she channeled her inner David Byrne, wearing a gigantic oversized grey suit. That night she won Best Supporting Actress for Steel Magnolias. Strange? Surely. Memorable? Absolutely.

Anjelica Houston (1991 Golden Globes)

We’re not exactly sure what Anjelica Houston was thinking with this 1991 Golden Globes ensemble. Outside of “How can I dress like a fancy linen napkin at one of the biggest industry nights of the year” of course.

Julia Roberts (1991 Golden Globes)

One year after the aforementioned David Byrne-esque oversized suit, Julia Roberts appeared at the 1991 Golden Globes in a more streamlined, pinstripe suit ensemble, reminiscent of a Chicago gangster circa-1930. That night, she won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Pretty Woman.

Juliette Lewis (1994 Golden Globes)

In the early 1990s, Juliette Lewis was at the height of her fame thanks to cortically acclaimed turns in Cape Fear and Natural Born Killers. For the 1994 Golden Globes, she appeared in an outfit that befitted her then-feted status: a royal headpiece.

Isabella Rossellini (1997 Golden Globes)

Isabella Rossellini was in full cherry bomb mode a the 1997 Golden Globes. That year she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for her role in Crime of the Century.

Jennifer Lopez (1998 Golden Globes)

Jennifer Lopez has had many iconic red carpet looks (the 2000 Grammys anyone?) but one of the earliest was this multi-colored look at the 1998 Golden Globes ceremony.

Courteney Cox (1997 Golden Globes)

In 1997, Courteney Cox was at the peak of her fame thanks to the 1-2 punch of Friends (then in its third season) and the horror hit Scream. She wore this classic Hollywood-esque reflective gown to that year’s Golden Globes ceremony.

Hilary Swank (2000 Golden Globes)

Hilary Swak swore this stunning, quasi-see-through Versace number to the 2000 Golden Globes. That year, she took home the trophy for Best Lead Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her her performance of Boys Don’t Cry.

Minnie Driver (1997 Golden Globes)

Minnie Driver wore this stunning number to the 1997 Golden Globe Awards, during the height of her Good Will Hunting fame, She would later be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2007 for The Riches.

Sarah Jessica Parker (2000 Golden Globes)

In 2000, Sarah Jessica Parker was in the middle of becoming a fashion icon in the role of Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, so it only fits that she wore this stunning outfit for the 2000 Golden Globes. There she took home the gold for Best Actress in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical for the aforementioned SATC.

Bjork (2000 Golden Globes)

Bjork’s most famous red carpet dress will always be her most famous red carpet look, but we’d argue that her 2001 Golden Globes look is better. We mean, come on? An owl purse AND Michael Jackson’s face down her leg? Iconic.

Diane Kruger (2005 Golden Globes)

Diane Kruger wore this… interesting ensemble at the 2005 Golden Globes. Kruger was at the apex of popularity at the time, appearing on People’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” 2004 list and #50 on Maxim’s “Hot 100” list in 2005, which makes this choice all the more confounding.

Billy Porter (2023 Golden Globes)

Billy Porter brought out this stunning – for better or worse – red tuxedo gown at the 2023 Golden Globes ceremony. Reactions have been… mixed, to say the least. We’re honestly not sure what to think of it.

Jennifer Coolidge (2023 Golden Globes)

Thanks to her star-making – or to be more precise, star-affirming – performance on The White Lotus, Jennifer Coolidge owned the 2023 Golden Globes. This went for her look as well, which really epitomized her persona, for better or worse.

Selena Gomez (2023 Golden Globes)

Selena Gomez’s dress for the 2023 Golden Globes looked pretty great… except for the sleeves. We’re not sure what the thought process was there, but it should have stayed a thought.