In an awards show situation, fashion victim offenses are considered especially heinous.

And while the dedicated entertainers posing outside the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live at the 2026 Emmys Sept. 14—led by first-time host Mariska Hargitay—are members of an elite squad, there was nearly a truly vicious felony. 

Admitting in exclusive interview with Keltie Knight during Live From E!: 2026 Emmys that he nearly stepped on Zendaya's custom Prada, he said, "Can you imagine? Devasting." 

"She was being ushered at full speed," he added, noting longtime love Morgana McNelis pulled him back "as she was rushing by." 

Of course, there's little that could mar her, uh, euphoric night. 

The actress and Hacks' Jean Smart, could potentially make Emmys history during the NBC telecast. Should they walk away with Lead Actress honors in their respective drama series and comedy series categories, they'd be the first female performers to win for every season of their shows. (Check out the full list of winners here.) 

And with that great power comes great responsibility for the two-time Emmy winner. 

Topping her glittering gown with a newly cropped 'do, "We're paying homage to another great African American beautiful actress," her longtime stylist Law Roach (in Givenchy, himself) explained to E!. 

But she's not the only star using the carpet to demonstrate the greatest love of all. 

Ahead of her Dancing With the Stars debut, Ciara Miller shimmied into the ceremony wearing a dress that once belonged to Whitney Houston. 

"She wore this in 1993, 1994," Miller shared during the Live From E!: Countdown to the 2026 Emmys. "This is a Marc Bouwer. "It was a gift to me, and it's so special because in a couple days on Dancing With the Stars, my first dance is to Whitney Houston's 'Exhale.'"

"The ventilation is good," Your Friends & Neighbors star Aimee Carrero joked to E! of her two-piece David Koma 'fit. "And we're glad we got a wax." 

Abbott Elementary's Janelle James—once again recognized as an Oustanding Supporting Actress—wasn't daring to bare quite as much with her vintage Roberto Cavalli. 

"It's very just classy and classic," she told E!, "form-fitting and revealing in a way that’s classy. That’s what I always go for."

Also scrubbing in for the carpet: Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa and the cast of The Pitt, leading all series with a healthy 25 nods. They've already collected four at the Creative Arts Emmys, so the prognosis is strong that they'll walk away from the ceremony with more heavy metal. 

DTF St. Louis star Joy Sunday could also pick up a little something gilded to match her custom Dior. 

"I am so excited," the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nominee raved to E!. "I feel like it really demonstrates where I am at this moment. I feel like the future is bright and I want to shine alongside it." 

So, yes, best believe all the Emmy attendees are bejeweled with Hargitay, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning and more celebs making the whole place shimmer. 

Check out how all the stars polished up real nice. 

in custom Paul Smith (Ford) and Zuhair Murad (Flockhart). 

in Honor, Tyler Ellis bag, and Jessica McCormack jewelry.

Michael J. Fox, Traci Pollan & Kids Sam Fox, Esme Fox, Aquinnah Fox & Schuyler Fox

in Alex Perry, Gianvito Rossi shoes and Sophia D jewels.