Hollywood is usually a place of rigid control, where every stray hair and hemline is checked by a dozen people before a star hits the stage. But sometimes, despite the best stylists and the most expensive tape in the world, gravity and a bad clasp win. That's exactly what went down at the Paley Center for Media in New York City on February 26, 2025.
Kate Hudson, usually the queen of effortless glam, found herself in the middle of a double wardrobe malfunction that honestly could have been a scene straight out of her new Netflix show, Running Point.
She was there to promote the series—a Mindy Kaling-created comedy about the inner workings of a fictional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. Kate plays Isla Gordon, the ambitious sister who takes over the family business. She looked incredible in a plunging black gown with daring side cutouts and an open back. It was a classic "fashion over function" choice, but about three minutes into the panel, the function part completely failed.
The First Malfunction: "You Didn't Expect This!"
While answering a question from moderator Samantha Barry about her dual role as lead actress and executive producer, Hudson’s dress simply popped out of place on the left side. She didn't ignore it; she shrieked, grabbed her chest, and laughed.
It was a total mess, but the way her castmates reacted was actually kind of sweet.
Justin Theroux, who plays her brother Cameron on the show, didn't even hesitate. He jumped up and started fiddling with the back of her dress like a panicked pit crew member. He even leaned into the mic to joke, "Car accident back here!" while he worked. Meanwhile, Brenda Song—who plays the team's chief of staff—sprung into action too. She didn't just sit there; she stood up and literally blocked the audience's view with her arms spread wide. It was a real "girls-girl" moment that the internet has been obsessed with ever since.
Hudson, ever the pro, kept the crowd laughing. "It's okay. You didn't expect this!" she joked.
When Lighting Strikes Twice
Usually, when something like that happens, you fix it, you pin it, and you move on. But apparently, this dress had a mind of its own. About 35 minutes later, right as the panel was winding down, Hudson raised her hands to clap.
Snap.
👉 See also: Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Life
It happened again. Same dress, same problem, same gasp from the actress. This time, Theroux was even faster. He stood up to fix the back while yelling at the other panelists, Jay Ellis and Scott MacArthur, to "just keep talking" so the audience wouldn't focus on the "seamstress" work happening in the center chair.
Ellis, trying to distract the crowd, started talking about his basketball skills—or lack thereof—while Theroux jokingly told him he had the "worst jumper" on the team. It was chaotic, funny, and deeply human. Honestly, it probably did more for the show's marketing than a standard Q&A ever could have.
Why This Mattered for Running Point
You’ve probably seen the headlines, but the timing was interesting. The show premiered on Netflix just a day later, on February 27, 2025. In an industry where everything feels manufactured, seeing a star deal with a literal falling-apart outfit with that much grace (and humor) makes them feel a lot more relatable.
The series itself is built on the idea of a woman trying to hold it all together in a male-dominated sport, and here was Hudson, literally holding her dress together while surrounded by her "team."
The cast's chemistry wasn't just for the cameras. Brenda Song later mentioned that working with "these crazy, wonderful humans" was the best part of the job. You could see that on stage. They didn't just let her sit there and struggle; they formed a literal wall of protection.
The Fallout and Renewal
If you were wondering if the wardrobe drama hurt the show's prospects, the answer is a hard no. Running Point was renewed for a second season by March 2025, just weeks after the premiere. People loved the chemistry, and the "Paley Center Incident" became a viral moment that helped boost those early streaming numbers.
The dress in question was an inky-black goddess gown styled by Marc Eram. While it looked stunning in the Getty images from earlier that night, it clearly wasn't built for a high-energy panel discussion.
📖 Related: Amanda Seyfried NSFW: What Really Happened and Why Context Matters
Actionable Takeaways from the Hudson Incident
If you’re ever heading to a high-stakes event, there are a few things we can learn from this Hollywood mishap. Even if you aren't an Oscar nominee, wardrobe malfunctions are a universal fear.
- Test the "Sit and Reach": Most outfits look great standing in front of a mirror. They don't always work when you're sitting in a director's chair or reaching up to clap. Always do a "stress test" before leaving the house.
- The Power of a "Safety" Person: Hudson survived that night because she had Theroux and Song in her corner. If you're wearing something risky, make sure your "wing person" knows how the garment is supposed to look so they can alert you before a photo does.
- Carry a "MacGyver" Kit: Fashion tape, safety pins, and a small sewing kit are non-negotiable for formal events. Clearly, Hudson’s dress needed a bit more than tape that night.
- Own the Moment: The reason this didn't become a "scandal" is because Kate Hudson didn't treat it like one. She laughed, she joked, and she made it part of the show.
The show is currently streaming its first season on Netflix, and production for Season 2 kicked off in Los Angeles in August 2025. If the second season has half the personality of that New York screening, fans are in for a treat. Just maybe with a different dress this time.