Stars graced the 2023 Emmy Awards carpet on Monday night, yet the ambiance was marred by a lackluster and distracting venue decor, according to many observers.
Even though Chrissy Teigen was not in attendance, she voiced her dissatisfaction with the night’s design through an Instagram Story, pleading with award shows to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their step and repeats.
As television luminaries gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on January 15, they were met with a silver carpet and black backdrop, commonly referred to as a “step and repeat,” adorned with the words “Fox” and “Emmys.”
Teigen elaborated on her critique, emphasizing the simplicity of incorporating floral elements, stating, “It seems so simple. Some floral and simplicity. God I pray.”
This sentiment resonated with many, including an anonymous longtime event photographer, who shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “The backdrop was ugly. I understand Fox and the Emmys want their signage, but less is more on the carpet. It’s hard to make everybody happy, but elegance and not too much pattern is better.”
Numerous online comments echoed the sentiment that the design seemed incomplete and distracting. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) humorously remarked, “The Emmys step and repeat looks like the construction site of a luxury building with zero amenities FOX is so deeply unserious lmfao.”
The photographer emphasized the importance of not letting the backdrop overshadow the person in front of it, stating, “You don’t want the backdrop to be the star. The person in front of it should be the star.”
This year’s Emmy Awards are not the first occasion where the carpet design has sparked disappointment. The previous year’s Oscars featured a pale beige “champagne” carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, breaking the tradition of a red carpet dating back to 1961. The change faced significant online backlash, including criticism from some of the ceremony’s honorees.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who ultimately won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress that night, humorously tweeted a day before the event, expressing that “their carpet is going to match my drapes” upon learning of the champagne color after selecting a beige dress.
Despite the challenge of pleasing everyone, the event photographer offered practical advice: “Please ask the photographers prior to printing your backdrop or lighting your event. There are people who ask me now about their events, and I’m so grateful. If you want to spend money, please get opinions.”
