Actress Elle Fanning caused a stir on the red carpet at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, where her choice of a stunning yet perilously low-cut gown nearly led to a serious wardrobe malfunction.
A Golden Gambit on the Red Carpet
The 27-year-old star of A Complete Unknown descended upon the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica in an ethereal, sparkling gold dress. The dazzling frock featured a long, flowing skirt and a daring backless design. However, it was the extremely plunging neckline that truly captured attention, showcasing her toned figure but also bringing her perilously close to revealing too much to the awaiting cameras.
As Fanning turned to the side during the event, hosted by Chelsea Handler, she very nearly spilled out of the sultry ensemble. Despite the high-risk fashion moment, the actress appeared composed, styling her blonde hair in loose, beach-like waves for the occasion.
Social Media Erupts Over Fanning's Look
Despite the near-miss, social media platform X, formerly Twitter, was quickly flooded with admiring posts about her appearance. One fan declared the dress "beautiful," while another announced, "Elle Fanning steals the show." A third simply penned, "Oh she's stunning," and a fourth praised her "effortless elegance."
The awards show celebrates achievements in film and television from 2025. Fanning herself is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sentimental Value, a film also in contention for Best Picture.
Controversy Follows Recent Magazine Feature
Fanning's red carpet appearance follows her participation in a high-profile cover shoot for the Los Angeles Times. She posed alongside Hollywood powerhouses including Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emily Blunt, Tessa Thompson, and Sydney Sweeney.
The accompanying 'Oscar roundtable' article discussed the actresses' experiences with criticism, industry expectations, and their film roles. However, readers were left angered by claims the publication heavily edited the images.
Comments on the shoot ranged from "Why the heavy photoshop?" to accusations of the images looking like bad AI. One shocked respondent asked, "Was this AI?" while another simply stated, "This is so weird."
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Times firmly denied the allegations: "The Los Angeles Times adheres to strict editorial standards, and we do not manipulate or photoshop our photographs. Any suggestion otherwise is incorrect."
