Author: Ziya Jaffrey
AAPI Celebrities Best Red Carpet Looks Roundup
If there’s one thing we Asians and Pacific Islanders know how to do, it’s bring our A-game when it comes to dressing for a party. And red carpets are definitely no exception.
In honor of Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I thought we could take a look at 21 of the most iconic red carpet outfits by some of our favorite AAPI celebrities. There are some old looks on here, and some recent ones, but all of them live in my brain rent free. Let’s dive in, shall we?
4. Auli’i Cravalho — Academy Awards, 2017
5. Ali Wong — SAG Awards, 2024
6. Naomi Osaka — Met Gala, 2021
7. Harry Shum Jr. — Academy Awards, 2023
8. Brenda Song — Academy Awards, 2025
9. Nicole Scherzinger — Men In Black 3 Premiere, 2012
10. Drew Afualo — Academy Awards, 2023
11. Gemma Chan — Cannes, 2021
12. Olivia Rodrigo — Met Gala, 2022
13. Saweetie — BET Awards, 2021
14. Kelly Marie Tran — Gold Gala, 2025
15. Manny Jacinto — Emmys, 2021
16. Vanessa Hudgens — Met Gala, 2022
17. Devon Aoki — Wildlife Conservation Society’s Gala, 2010
18. H.E.R. — Academy Awards, 2025
19. Kumail Nanjiani — Eternals Premiere, 2021
20. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Gold Gala 2024
21. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Gold Gala 2025
As for me, I am of the camp that if you can’t pronounce dupatta, there’s no reason that you should be wearing one. However, I can’t even bring myself to care that much. We really have bigger issues to focus on as a community right now. Have you seen the turmoil that our countries are going through back home? What I’m feeling is exhaustion. After years of the same arguments getting hashed out over and over again, my gut response is just fine, screw it. You win. Wear whatever you want. But I’m also exhausted because I know exactly how this is going to end.