Pop sensation Chappell Roan made a bold statement at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday, wearing a topless Mugler gown that has sparked widespread discussion. The 27-year-old singer, nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year for her hit The Subway, chose a sheer creation held together by two delicate hoops attached to her nipples, leaving little to the imagination.
A Calculated Shock Factor
According to renowned body language expert Judi James, Roan's daring ensemble was a deliberate attempt to "out-dare" every other artist on the red carpet, specifically targeting the shock value previously achieved by Kanye West and Bianca Censori. James exclusively told Daily Mail that Roan appeared to be chasing the same level of attention that Censori generated at last year's Grammys, when she revealed a near-nude bodysuit that set social media ablaze.
"Roan's red carpet body language made her look uncomfortable, vulnerable and vaguely out of sorts with what looked like her own decision to try for a look that would out-dare every other artist in a gesture that was almost designed to shock as Kanye and Bianca's infamous red carpet reveal a while back," James explained.
Awkward Execution Despite Bold Intentions
James observed that Roan began her red carpet appearance wrapped in chiffon of the same shade as her hair, appearing awkward and engaged in discussion with her stylist. This initial approach mirrored Censori's method of starting covered before revealing her daring look. However, James noted a significant difference in execution.
"Unlike Bianca, she seemed uncomfortable about styling the daring moment out," James remarked. "There were a couple of moments when she went from a less assured look to throwing her arms up and back in a pit-bare of total daring."
The expert described Roan's body language as revealing clear discomfort, with constant changes of incomplete poses, sulky mouth expressions, and small biting movements as she looked around with unease. Despite brief moments of confidence when she tossed her hair and struck glamorous poses, Roan repeatedly returned to what appeared to be unhappy discussions with her stylist.
Mixed Reactions and Social Media Storm
Roan's daring take on Mugler's 1998 'Nipple Ring' dress immediately triggered a flood of reactions across social media platforms. One critic wrote, "I think they need a dress code cause wtf is this? This is not the 'pink pony club.'" Another added, "Days like this, I wish Joan Rivers was still alive. The roast would have been epic," while a third simply stated, "Well that was awful. Next."
Even Roan herself acknowledged the challenging nature of the experience, telling E! that the red carpet felt "overstimulating" because "people are filming you and you don't know what they're doing with it."
Fashion as Artistic Identity
Despite the mixed reception to her Grammys look, Roan has consistently embraced fashion as a core component of her artistic identity. She has previously explained her approach to style as drawing from diverse influences including drag, horror movies, burlesque, and theatre.
"I love looking pretty and scary. Or, like, pretty and tacky - or just not pretty. I love that too," Roan told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She maintains a clear distinction between her stage persona and personal style, often opting for muted tones in everyday life while reserving her most theatrical looks for performances and major events.
On the Call Her Daddy podcast, Roan reflected on how her relationship with fashion has evolved since entering the spotlight, noting that she now dresses "very modestly" in neutral colors to avoid unwanted attention in daily life, a stark contrast to her early career "bimbo-y" outfits that included dramatic silicone inserts.
Platform for Advocacy
Beyond fashion statements, Roan has used her growing platform to advocate for industry change. During her 2025 Grammys acceptance speech, she called for labels and the music industry to "offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists."
At the 2026 ceremony, Roan returned not only as a nominee but also as a presenter for the Best New Artist award, which went to Olivia Dean. For this on-stage appearance, she swapped her risqué red carpet ensemble for a more restrained look, demonstrating her ability to adapt her style to different contexts within the same event.
The 2026 Grammys featured numerous notable winners across categories, with Olivia Dean taking Best New Artist, Lady Gaga winning Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM, and Billie Eilish securing Song of the Year for WILDFLOWER. Kendrick Lamar claimed Best Rap Album for GNX, while Tyler, The Creator won Best Album Cover for CHROMAKOPIA.
