See What Your Favorite Stars Wore as 1st-Time Emmy Nominees Through the Years

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

See What Your Favorite Stars Wore as 1st-Time Emmy Nominees Through the Years

There's no better feeling than being recognized for your hard work. Every year, we get to watch our favorite TV stars, writers, directors and producers get praised for providing us with small screen entertainment at the Emmy Awards. In addition to seeing the best actresses and actors take home the golden statuette, we get to feast our eyes on a star-studded fashion show. However, to Us, the best part of the night is oohing and aahing over what first-time nominees wore. We can assume that picking out an outfit for such a memorable night is a daunting task. Do you serve drama or timeless glamour? Do you debut a hair change or keep it simple? Do you go with a known fashion house or an emerging designer? When Anya Taylor-Joy received her first nod in 2021 — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Queen's Gambit — the Florida native channeled old Hollywood in a yellow Dior dress. The silky gown featured a halter construction and a gorgeous cascading train. The Netflix star complemented the look with a sleek hairstyle and a bold red lip. [jwplayer mmDFwOwd-zhNYySv2] That same year, Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Genius: Aretha. The London native made the red carpet her own personal runway, strutting her stuff in a custom Louis Vuitton dress. The look had Us glued to our screens as it featured blue, green and white feathers at the hem. Another standout moment came in 2019 when Mandy Moore brought back color-blocking. To celebrate her first-ever Emmy nomination for her role as Rebecca Pearson in This Is Us, Moore wore a custom pink and red Brandon Maxwell dress. The look featured an off-the-shoulder bodice and a high-slit skirt. (The color combo was popular among stars on the carpet that year with Taraji P. Henson, Susan Kelechi Watson and Marisa Tomei also sporting pink and red ensembles.) In 2015, Regina King looked like a glitzy ballerina when she scored an Emmy nod for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for American Crime. The actress wore a pearl-covered Krikor Jabotian dress. "All she gave me was, ‘I want you to look like you’re floating,'" the California native recalled what her stylist told her at the time, per Variety. Making the evening all the more special, King took home the trophy for her performance. Keep scrolling to see what other first-time nominees have worn through the years:

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

See What Your Favorite Stars Wore as 1st-Time Emmy Nominees Through the Years

There's no better feeling than being recognized for your hard work. Every year, we get to watch our favorite TV stars, writers, directors and producers get praised for providing us with small screen entertainment at the Emmy Awards. In addition to seeing the best actresses and actors take home the golden statuette, we get to feast our eyes on a star-studded fashion show. However, to Us, the best part of the night is oohing and aahing over what first-time nominees wore. We can assume that picking out an outfit for such a memorable night is a daunting task. Do you serve drama or timeless glamour? Do you debut a hair change or keep it simple? Do you go with a known fashion house or an emerging designer? When Anya Taylor-Joy received her first nod in 2021 — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Queen's Gambit — the Florida native channeled old Hollywood in a yellow Dior dress. The silky gown featured a halter construction and a gorgeous cascading train. The Netflix star complemented the look with a sleek hairstyle and a bold red lip. [jwplayer mmDFwOwd-zhNYySv2] That same year, Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Genius: Aretha. The London native made the red carpet her own personal runway, strutting her stuff in a custom Louis Vuitton dress. The look had Us glued to our screens as it featured blue, green and white feathers at the hem. Another standout moment came in 2019 when Mandy Moore brought back color-blocking. To celebrate her first-ever Emmy nomination for her role as Rebecca Pearson in This Is Us, Moore wore a custom pink and red Brandon Maxwell dress. The look featured an off-the-shoulder bodice and a high-slit skirt. (The color combo was popular among stars on the carpet that year with Taraji P. Henson, Susan Kelechi Watson and Marisa Tomei also sporting pink and red ensembles.) In 2015, Regina King looked like a glitzy ballerina when she scored an Emmy nod for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for American Crime. The actress wore a pearl-covered Krikor Jabotian dress. "All she gave me was, ‘I want you to look like you’re floating,'" the California native recalled what her stylist told her at the time, per Variety. Making the evening all the more special, King took home the trophy for her performance. Keep scrolling to see what other first-time nominees have worn through the years:

Credit: Danny Moloshok/AP/Shutterstock

Anya Taylor-Joy

The Queen's Gambit actress looked radiant in Dior at the 2021 ceremony where she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role in the Netflix series.

Credit: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Kaley Cuoco

The California was not only a first-time nominee — but a first-time winner. She scored the statuette for Outstanding Comedy Series for HBO Max's The Flight Attendant in 2021. For the joyous occasion, Cuoco stunned in a highlighter yellow Vera Wang gown.

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Cynthia Erivo

Though she didn't win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Genius: Aretha in 2021, Erivo looked victorious in Louis Vuitton.

Credit: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Emma Corrin

The U.K. native looked dainty in Miu Miu to celebrate being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for their portrayal of Princess Diana in Netflix's The Crown in 2021.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Mandy Moore

In 2019, the multi-hyphenate sizzled in a pink and red Brandon Maxwell dress. She was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in This Is Us.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Billy Porter

The actor channeled the disco era in Michael Kors in 2019. That year, he took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Pray Tell in Pose.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Gwendoline Christie

The actress looked like royalty in Gucci in 2019. She received her first-ever nomination for her role as Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones.

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

Issa Rae

The comedian, who was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Insecure, looked like a modern-day Cinderella in custom Vera Wang in 2018.

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Claire Foy

In 2017, Foy celebrated her nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Crown, wearing Oscar De La Renta. While she didn't win the first time, the actress took home the trophy for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 and 2021.

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Milo Ventimiglia

The actor looked classic in a Ralph Lauren tuxedo at the 2017 show. That night, he was up for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Jack Pearson in This Is Us.

Credit: Shutterstock

Maisie Williams

Williams looked like a walking garden at the 2016 ceremony, stepping onto the red carpet in a floral Markus Lupfer dress. She paired the look with Christian Louboutin sandals. The U.K. native was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for Game of Thrones.

Credit: Jim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock

Regina King

In 2015, the Watchmen star commanded attention in a Krikor Jabotian dress. She scored an Emmy nod for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for American Crime.

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Viola Davis

The powerhouse took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Annalise Keating in How to Get Away With Murder in 2015. She wore a black beaded Carmen Marc Valvo gown to take home the prize.