Ariana Grande Honors Diahann Carroll at the Critics Choice Awards in a Custom Alberta Ferretti Gown
By Alexus Mosley
At the Critics’ Choice Awards, Ariana Grande delivered a Glinda-coded red-carpet moment rooted in tribute. The Wicked actress and Grammy award-winning singer stepped out in a blush-toned, sheer, crystal-embellished gown by Alberta Ferretti, a look that quietly and intentionally paid homage to the legendary Diahann Carroll.
Styled by Law Roach, the gown, which was accompanied by Swarovski earrings, references a historic fashion moment from 1969, when Carroll presented at the Academy Awards wearing a similarly ethereal pink ensemble. At the time, Carroll’s appearance represented glamour as well as symbolized grace, visibility, and cultural progress during an era when Black women were rarely afforded such reverence on Hollywood’s most prestigious stages.
Both looks share a delicate visual language of soft blush tones, sheer layers dusted with sparkle, and a flowing silhouette that evokes a ceremonial feel. Diahann Carroll’s legacy extends far beyond fashion. As a pioneering actress and cultural figure, she reshaped how Black women were seen on screen: elegant, intelligent, complex, and deserving of center stage. By echoing Carroll’s 1969 Academy Awards look, Grande bridges generations, using fashion as a form of historical acknowledgment.
In an era dominated by viral fashion moments, this tribute stood out for its restraint and intention. At the Critics’ Choice Awards, Grande’s look served as a reminder that the most powerful style statements are often the quietest, those that honor the past while walking confidently into the present.