The Worst Award-Show Wardrobe Malfunctions Of All Time

In the sparkly world of award shows where glamour takes center stage, even the biggest names in the spotlight aren't immune to the curse of an occasional wardrobe malfunction. From Hollywood A-listers like Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman to music icons like Nicki Minaj and Alicia Keys, it turns out that no amount of fame can shield you from the occasional fashion faux pas.

Of course, these fashion mishaps aren't just about lost shoes and peek-a-boo pasties — instead, they're also tales of resilience, quick thinking, and the unbeatable spirit of those who gracefully navigate unexpected style hiccups while in the spotlight. After all, famous or not, we've all had a wardrobe malfunction at some point, and how we handle it reveals a lot about us. So, welcome to the world of glitz and glam in which zippers rebel, straps break free, and hems unravel during Hollywood's most prestigious events.

At the 2016 People's Choice Awards, Dakota Johnson's dress took an unexpected turn when it decided to fall apart on stage right in the middle of a hug with fellow actor Leslie Mann. Per the YouTube video uploaded by E! Insider, Mann reassured Johnson with a casual, "It's okay, we got it," to which Johnson humorously declared, "Leslie broke my dress," while adjusting it. With a shrug, the actor accepted the award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress, and she added, "Okay, well, it's not like nobody here hasn't already seen my boobs."

Amanda Seyfried faced vintage fashion difficulties at the Critics Choice Awards in 2023 when her dress began falling apart throughout the evening. As Seyfried stepped on stage to accept her Critics Choice Award, she found herself clutching the rebellious attire, ensuring it stayed put. "Yeah, it's old. It keeps breaking. I'm not kidding; it keeps ripping. It's actually like breaking," Seyfried told Access Hollywood.

Barbra Streisand created an unintentional stir at the 1969 Academy Awards when flash photography revealed that her jumpsuit was see-through. The iconic singer and actress, unaware of the wardrobe malfunction during the fitting, only discovered the sheer nature of the look after the show. Streisand, known for her candidness, later remarked, "I didn't realize the outfit was so see-through. You couldn't tell that in the dressing room, only under the bright lights," Streisand revealed to InStyle.

Geri Halliwell faced a momentary fashion blip while accepting a Brit Award with the Spice Girls in 1997. Halliwell's black bra made a subtle appearance as her dress shifted downward. Reflecting on the incident, she explained to the Daily Mail, "When I went to get the awards I had this dress, a bright red sequin dress, and I had a kind of girdle-y thing on. That's why the dress was slipping down; they were kind of satiny." Halliwell immediately noticed it and quickly pulled her dress up on stage.

During the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2017, Katy Perry faced an unexpected fashion glitch when the back of her dress appeared to rip, slightly showing her underwear. The incident unfolded as Perry and James Corden leaned forward toward the television, and unfortunately for the "Firework" singer, cameras captured the wardrobe malfunction.

At the 2011 InStyle/Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards Party, Hayden Panettiere found herself unintentionally in the spotlight when her fashion choice didn't go as planned. The actor's nipple pasties became visible through her sheer blue-gray gown, likely as a result of the flash photography on the red carpet. Despite the unexpected exposure, Panettiere maintained her composure, showcasing that a wardrobe malfunction can happen even to the best of us. Anyone who loves wearing strapless or thin-strap dresses surely understands the struggle.

Giuliana Rancic had to deal with a zipper malfunction at the 2014 Academy Awards, turning the red carpet glamour into a humorous moment. In an on-camera confession, Rancic revealed, "My zipper broke!" (via a YouTube video posted by user BlueDaisy). Quick to the rescue, Ryan Seacrest offered his assistance while playfully asking, "Should someone be hosting?" Unfortunately, all that Seacrest could do was use tape, and Rancic had to laugh about the situation. "This is what you brought to fix my zipper — old tape?" 

Nicole Kidman had a discreet yet noteworthy wardrobe adjustment at the 2017 Academy Awards. Keen observers would catch the subtle transformation of her gown. Initially, the back straps appeared crossed, but as the evening unfolded, they had seemingly broken. Undeterred, Kidman demonstrated her resourcefulness by fashioning a makeshift summery halter dress, and unless we had seen the crisscross prior, we wouldn't have even noticed.

Nicki Minaj faced a true zipper crisis at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards when, just moments before hitting the stage, her dress decided not to cooperate. "Right before it was time for me to walk out, they went to zip it up, and nothing. And right there, I thought I died," Minaj told Ellen DeGeneres. However, being the ultimate professional, she didn't miss a beat. Minaj not only held her composure but also her dress, delivering a flawless performance while managing the unexpected fashion malfunction.

At the 2016 American Music Awards, Chrissy Teigen stole the spotlight with an incredibly high-slit gown that certainly showcased her entire leg and more. Embracing the daring fashion choice, Teigen later humorously remarked on Instagram, " ... apologies to anyone harmed mentally or physically by my hooha."

Khloé Kardashian faced a wardrobe malfunction that turned into a hilarious adventure at the 2022 People's Choice Awards. As she revealed on her Instagram story, her outfit suffered a zipper catastrophe, which resulted in her being sewn into it: "I had to pee. So we had to cut the stitching out and sew me back in," Kardashian admitted (via HuffPost). Having to do this in a rush before hitting the stage, the star's hair ended up looking a bit too fluffed up. "My hair — here, right here — it is a disaster," Kardashian shared.

Margot Robbie dazzled at the 2018 Academy Awards, but behind the scenes, she faced a fashion emergency. Beads from her dress started to unravel, but in a true display of female power and self-sufficiency, Robbie didn't panic. According to Time, she simply grabbed a needle and thread, skilfully fixing the fashion malfunction before it could become a red-carpet spectacle.

Selena Gomez had an unexpected fashion twist at the 2022 Emmy Awards. The star faced a wardrobe malfunction when her dress kept riding up throughout the event; however, being the star that she is, she dealt with it unnoticeably. "My dress was actually riding up the entire time, so a lot of people saw something they didn't want to see," Gomez candidly shared later (via Business Insider).