Ariana Grande channels Diahann Carroll at Critics Choice Awards 2026

Ariana Grande paid homage to Diahann Carroll with a vintage-inspired look at the Critics Choice Awards 2026

Ariana Grande turned heads at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026 by stepping onto the red carpet with a style tribute to Hollywood legend Diahann Carroll, evoking the glamour of Carroll’s iconic 1969 Academy Awards appearance. Fans and fashion commentators alike quickly noticed the intentional nod to the late actress and trailblazer, with Grande’s look capturing the elegance and charm of Carroll’s memorable moment in Hollywood history.

Carroll, who broke barriers for Black actresses in film and television and became the first African American woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for Claudine, has long been admired for her timeless style and presence on major awards night red carpets. Grande’s choice to channel that legacy earned praise from fans who saw her outfit, jewellery and overall styling as a respectful homage rather than a simple fashion throwback.

Grande’s Critics Choice styling was widely shared on social platforms after photographers captured her arrival at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The singer and actor’s look included classic silhouettes and elegant accessories reminiscent of Carroll’s appearance at the 1969 Academy Awards, a moment that has been referenced in fashion retrospectives and remembered for its sophistication. Social media users praised Grande for embracing a historical aesthetic that honoured a pioneering figure in entertainment. Fans shared split-screen comparisons of Grande’s Critics Choice ensemble with archival photographs of Carroll on the Oscars red carpet, noting similarities in colour, cut and jewellery choices.

Beyond the fashion moment, Grande’s Critics Choice night was already notable due to her multiple nominations for her role in Wicked: For Good. Her performance in the film has been celebrated throughout the awards season, and this red carpet tribute added another talking point that resonated with both awards viewers and culture enthusiasts. Commentators noted that by referencing Carroll, Grande was drawing a line between generations of performers, highlighting the influence of past icons on today’s stars.

Some fans went further, saying the homage felt like a cultural statement, one that connects Grande’s current era of stardom with the history of Black excellence and Hollywood’s path to broader representation. Others focused purely on the visual payoff, calling the look “stunning,” “timeless,” and “legendary.” Whatever the angle, the imagery of Grande channeling Carroll became one of the evening’s most shared fashion highlights.