While plenty were on hand to celebrate the 2026 Emmy Awards, a few names were absent from the ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater. 

Though Keke Palmer had been named a presenter ahead of the Sept. 14 ceremony, The 'Burbs star ultimately missed out on the event. Also among the missing faces was Jenna Ortega, whose series Wednesday was nominated in six categories this year.

Another major star MIA? Taylor Swift. Though she was nominated, she was in Kansas City, supporting husband Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs as they took on the Denver Broncos for their NFL season opener. However, she did make a surprise cameo in host Mariska Hargitay's pre-taped Law & Order skit poking fun at anticipation over whether or not she'd make it to the Peacock Theatre.

As for Selena Gomez, though she proved she was the real trophy in her all-gold ensemble on the red carpet, she arrived solo since her husband Benny Blanco was at Harvard Business School promoting his new book F--k Failure.

Meanwhile, Billy Crudup may have been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for The Morning Show—which went to Task's Tom Pelphrey—but he was instead in London at rehearsals for the West End production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which opens Sept. 21.

But that’s not to say it wasn’t a star-studded evening. After all, Matthew Rhys—who won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Widow’s Bay and Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me—had a golden date night with wife Keri Russell as the actor celebrated his two wins.

But the Diplomat star—nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the third straight year—was more than happy to humble her husband.

Earlier in the evening, Rhys exclusively recalled to E! News backstage, "She goes, 'If you win both, I'm not coming home with you.' OK, fair enough."

Other attendees included Zendaya and husband Tom Holland, The Pitt’s Noah Wyle—who won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series—Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh, Quinta Brunson and Adam Brody. 

For a closer look at all the stars at the 2026 Emmys, keep reading.

in Christian Siriano (Cuoco) and Giorgio Armani (Pelphrey). 

in Brunello Cucinelli (Mulaney) and FFORME (Munn). 

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

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