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Everyone thought they knew what to expect when Ariana Grande stepped onto the red carpet at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026. We figured it would be "Glinda-core" to the max, right? More pink. More sparkles. More method dressing for Wicked: For Good.
Well, she gave us pink, but not the way we thought.
The Ariana Grande Critics Choice Awards dress was a custom Alberta Ferretti masterpiece that actually managed to break the internet—and not just because of the sheer cape. Honestly, the real story here isn't just a pretty gown. It's about a very specific fashion history lesson orchestrated by her stylist, Law Roach. If you looked at her and thought, "this feels familiar," you've got a great eye for the 1960s.
The Secret History of That Alberta Ferretti Gown
So, here’s the tea. The dress was a direct, loving nod to the legendary Diahann Carroll at the 1969 Oscars. Carroll was a trailblazer, and that specific look—originally designed by William Travilla—is basically the holy grail for red carpet historians.
Ariana's version featured a custom pink satin off-the-shoulder base. It was sleek. It was structured. But the real showstopper was the floor-length white tulle cape. It wasn't just a plain piece of fabric; it was hand-embroidered with silver floral appliqués that caught every single flashbulb at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
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It felt lighter than air.
Most people just see "pretty pink dress," but Law Roach is known for these "Easter eggs." By referencing Carroll, Ariana wasn't just playing a character from Oz; she was aligning herself with Hollywood royalty. It’s a subtle shift from being "the girl in the movie" to being a serious "Actress" with a capital A.
Why the Hair Was the Actual Main Event
You can't talk about the dress without talking about the hair. For years, we've seen Ariana in that signature platinum Glinda blonde. It was iconic, sure, but it also kinda washed her out in certain lights.
At the Critics Choice Awards, she officially debuted a rich, warm auburn shade.
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The Beauty Breakdown
- The Color: A deep, chocolatey auburn that actually matches her natural skin tone way better than the bleach did.
- The Style: A loosely curled updo with soft, wispy bangs.
- The Makeup: She ditched the heavy "bubblegum" look for something warmer—think berry-pink cheeks and a smoked-out wing.
Some fans on Reddit were speculating that the bangs might be clip-ins, which, honestly? Who cares? The effect was transformative. It made the Ariana Grande Critics Choice Awards dress pop in a way it wouldn't have if she were still rocking the high, blonde pony.
More Than Just a Fashion Statement
Ariana wasn't just there to look good; she was a Best Supporting Actress nominee for her role as Glinda. While she was doing interviews on the carpet (wearing some seriously blinding Swarovski jewelry, by the way), she actually dropped some news that had nothing to do with silk or tulle.
She confirmed that rehearsals for the Eternal Sunshine Tour are starting "very soon."
It’s been six years since her last tour. Six years! She told Live From E! that she’s been obsessing over the setlist for months. This makes the Critics Choice appearance feel like a bridge. She’s moving out of the Wicked press cycle and back into her era as a global pop tour de force.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Method Dressing
There's this idea that Ariana is "stuck" in her character. Critics love to say she can't let Glinda go. But if you look closely at this Alberta Ferretti look, it’s actually the opposite.
It’s an evolution.
She took the pink—the signature color of her character—and filtered it through a 1960s lens. It’s a sophisticated nod, not a costume. While her co-star Cynthia Erivo has often stuck to bold, Elphaba-green themes, Ariana used this red carpet to show she can do "Classic Hollywood" just as well as "Broadway Fantasy."
How to Channel the Look (Without the Custom Price Tag)
You probably don't have Law Roach on speed dial or a custom Italian gown in your closet. That’s fair. But the "Ariana Effect" from the 2026 awards season is actually pretty easy to replicate if you focus on the textures.
- Prioritize the Cape: Sheer overlays are huge right now. Adding a tulle duster or a beaded capelet to a simple slip dress gives that "ethereal" vibe without needing a 10-foot train.
- Warm Up the Palette: If you've been doing the cool-toned "clean girl" aesthetic, try switching to the auburns and berries Ariana is favoring. It adds a lot of dimension to the face.
- The "Reference" Rule: Don't just wear a dress; find a reference. Whether it's a 90s supermodel look or a 60s icon like Diahann Carroll, having a "vibe" makes the outfit feel intentional.
The 2026 awards season is just getting started, but the Alberta Ferretti moment has already set the bar. It was a masterclass in how to honor a project while reclaiming your own identity.
To keep up with the latest fashion shifts this season, watch for how stars are moving away from "costume" dressing and back toward archival silhouettes. If you're looking to refresh your own style, start with small silk accents or experiment with a warmer hair gloss to mimic that auburn glow.