SAG Awards Celebrity Shoe Moments: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande & Selena Gomez Stun in Chic Neutral Pumps and Elegant Gowns

The night of the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards was one to remember as the industry’s brightest stars gathered to honor the best in film and television. Kirsten Bell returned as host seven years after making history as the show’s first-ever host in 2018.

The evening was filled with plenty of noteworthy wins, including Demi Moore for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for The Substance, Timothée Chalamet for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for A Complete Unknown, as well as Conclave and Shogun nabbing Outstanding Performance by a Cast in their respective categories.

As expected, the red carpet did not disappoint; it was a visual feast of glamour and innovation. The stars showcased their unique personal style, but their shoe choices were predominantly classic and elegant.

While some opted for open-toe sandals like Selena Gomez, the majority, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Kerry Washington, stuck to the tried-and-true red carpet choice: pumps. They’ve been a staple on the red carpet for years, and their sleek and elegant silhouette never fails to make a statement.

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Danielle Deadwyler, Kerry Washington, and Keke Palmer stun in designer heels and gowns at the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images / Ryan Hartford / INSTARimages)

1. Cynthia Erivo Shimmers in Christian Louboutin Silver Strass Hot Chick Pumps and Givenchy Gown

SAG Best Actress nominee Cynthia Erivo dazzled on the red carpet in a pair of silver heels by Christian Louboutin. She opted for the “Hot Chick” pumps, which certainly lived up to their name with their sultry scalloped design.

These pumps are a standout option. They feature a shimmering crystal-encrusted upper with a pointed toe and a slim stiletto heel that give Erivo a taller, more statuesque form. The scalloped shape enhances their allure, making them the perfect shoe for a glitzy evening look.

They come in a range of quality leathers and suedes, but Cynthia opted for the silver crystal-embellished specchio pair that perfectly coordinated with her dress.

Cynthia Erivo dazzles in silver Christian Louboutin Hot Chick pumps encrusted with shimmering crystals (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Cynthia is known for being fearless and eclectic in style. She often mixes vintage and modern elements to create unique and bold looks. This was evident on the SAG Awards red carpet, where she wore a dramatic gown designed by Alexander McQueen for Givenchy’s Fall 1997 Couture.

The eye-catching archival piece has a high collar adorned with textural fringe covering her neck. It also has fringe-trimmed bell sleeves, an asymmetric floor-sweeping hem, and a dramatic cape, which adds a regal touch, though unnecessary, in my opinion.

Despite its bold design and heavy woven fabric, the gown surprisingly flattered Erivo’s figure. While the gown may not be for everyone, it undeniably showcases Erivo’s fearless approach to fashion.

The ensemble is already stunning on its own, but with the help of her stylist, Jason Bolden, Erivo added extra sparkle to her look with jewelry by Bucherer. She wore The Rock Diamonds Ear Clips, which took the Swiss jewelry label 175 hours to make. They feature six trapezoid-cut diamonds and 60 brilliant-cut diamonds set in 18k white gold.

Along with her signature nose ring, Cynthia accessorized her hands with nail art and rings from Bucherer Fine Jewellery.

Cynthia Erivo is hard to ignore in an archival Givenchy silver woven gown with a dramatic fringed high neck, bell sleeves, and asymmetrical hem (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

2. Ariana Grande Looks Dreamy in White Jimmy Choo Pumps and Pink Loewe Gown

Ariana Grande’s look at the SAG Awards perfectly illustrated her signature style—feminine and elegant. She kept her footwear simple yet chic, opting for the timeless Jimmy Choo “Romy” pumps in white satin.

These classic, favorite Jimmy Choo “Romy” pumps are designed with a subtly pointed toe and a slim, delicate heel, giving her outfit a classy, ladylike appearance. They are crafted from ivory satin material, adding a delicate and luxurious feel.

These Romy pumps are part of Jimmy Choo’s exquisite bridal offering and are available for $760 at Farfetch. I love how the simplicity of the white pumps provides a perfect contrast to the ornate details of Ariana’s custom Loewe dress.

Ariana Grande wears the iconic Romy pumps in white satin from Jimmy Choo’s bridal shoe collection (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

Ariana’s gown is a dreamy pale pink creation by Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson that perfectly embodies her character, Glinda, in Wicked. Although I must admit I’m growing weary of all the pink ensembles she’s been wearing since last year, I have to say this one stands out as the dreamiest and most delicate of them all.

It’s cut from pale pink fabric and adorned with intricate 3D floral appliques crafted from feathers. These appliques give the dress a dreamy, ethereal look that feels like it was pulled straight from the pages of a fairytale.

I especially love its feminine silhouette, with a draped off-the-shoulder neckline adding a touch of ladylike regality to the look. The fitted corset bodice, which hugs Ariana’s figure and highlights her slim frame, is covered in delicate appliques that cascade gracefully down the tulle skirt with a short train.

Ariana Grande looks dreamy in a pale pink tulle gown with draped off-the-shoulder sleeves and feathered flowers custom-made by Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Ariana finished off her look with sparkling jewelry from Jared Atelier. Her diamond drop earrings and floral ring added just the right amount of sparkle to her romantic look. Although the necklace was undoubtedly glitzy, the ensemble would look more elegant without it.

3. Selena Gomez Embraces Old Hollywood Glamour in Minimalist Black Jimmy Choo Sandals and Navy Celine Dress

Selena Gomez often embraces a modern, sophisticated style with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour. She tends toward clean lines and neutral colors, evident in her SAG Awards appearance.

Gomez kept things understated yet elegant with her shoe choice, opting for black Jimmy Choo sandals with thin straps at the ankles and toes. Despite their simplicity, they exude an air of Old Hollywood glitz that mirrors Sel’s style.

However, I couldn’t help but wish for a hint of allure, say asymmetrical diagonal straps, to make the look more appealing. Nevertheless, Selena’s heels complemented her ensemble and the aesthetic she was going for. A pedicure would have been a nice addition, but perhaps Selena wanted to keep things natural.

Selena Gomez opts for classic elegance in simple black patent Jimmy Choo open-toe sandals with buckled ankle straps and stiletto heels (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

In my opinion, she wore the minimalist black sandals with a navy dress that could easily pass as a bridesmaid gown.

Custom-designed for Selena by Celine, the dress has a wrap-style bodice that crosses around the shoulders and bust, creating its off-the-shoulder neckline. It hugs her figure flawlessly before flowing into a column skirt with a thigh-high slit adding a modern and daring twist to the classic regal design.

While the dress may not appeal to everyone, its regal silhouette and elegance make a bold statement. Selena enhanced the look’s opulence with Messika diamond jewelry, including the $7,640 Fiery pendant earrings in white gold with two center pear-cut diamonds, the Night Owl ring, and the $7,090 Fiery Trio ring with pear-cut diamonds set on a sculptural white gold frame.

Selena also wore her Abril Barrett engagement ring from Benny Blanco, which featured a large marquise diamond set on a diamond eternity band.

Selena Gomez, showing off her SAG award for Best Ensemble for Only Murders in the Building, channels Old Hollywood glamour in a navy Celine gown with a wrap-style off-the-shoulder neckline and a thigh-high slit (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

4. Danielle Deadwyler Stands Out in Red Louis Vuitton Pumps and Gown

Danielle Deadwyler, who was up for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, definitely stood out at the event.

She made a stunning entrance in red satin pumps by Louis Vuitton, designed with pointed toes and delicate ankle straps that add a touch of elegance and femininity to her look. They’re set atop 4-inch stiletto heels, giving her a boost in height.

I love how the design’s simplicity lent the entire ensemble a dash of modernity and chicness, reflecting Deadwyler’s confidence and flair for fashion.

Her red pumps perfectly complemented her avant-garde red dress, creating a striking, eye-catching look.

Danielle Deadwyler stands out in red satin d’Orsay pumps with ankle straps and high heels from Louis Vuitton (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

The structural dress, designed by Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, was undoubtedly the focal point of Danielle’s ensemble. It reportedly took 400 hours to make, which wasn’t surprising as it featured a unique, artistic construction of hand-gathered tulle, creating two round structures that form the voluminous skirt.

Some compared the gown to a chocolate fountain, and others to a table lamp, but I thought the design’s uniqueness was refreshing nonetheless.

For a hint of sparkle, The Piano Lesson actress accessorized with Lagos diamond earrings, a bracelet, and rings, selected by styling duo Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald. She also wore red eyeshadow, which I think perfected the whole look.

Danielle Deadwyler creates a fiery, cohesive look, teaming her red pumps with an architectural Louis Vuitton gown made of hand-gathered tulle (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

5. Kerry Washington Is Romantic in Nude Pumps and Rose Gold Armani Prive Gown

Kerry Washington’s appearance at the SAG Awards was a slight departure from her typical edgy style. She opted for a feminine, romantic vibe, wearing nude pink pumps that paired well with her rose gold gown.

The pumps aren’t entirely visible because of the length of her gown, but they have platforms and high-block heels that boost Washington’s height. The low-cut vamps and peep toes add a touch of modern femininity to her overall style, a detail that perfectly reflects her unique and chic fashion sensibility.

They complemented her shimmering Armani Prive gown, creating a very demure appearance.

Kerry Washington brings romance to the red carpet with nude pink peep-toe pumps featuring platforms and towering block heels (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

The feminine, romantic gown has a pink mesh bodice adorned with crystals, pearls, and silver lace embroidery. The lower half of the dress is a metallic rose-gold silk-satin trumpet skirt with a mesh overlay embellished with the same clusters of pearl beads.

While the design is very dreamy and romantic, I think Kerry didn’t quite pull it off. The outfit hugged her figure beautifully, but the high neckline was a bit too constrictive and seemed to cut off her neck, making it unflattering.

Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn styled Kerry’s already busy and sparkly look with Bucherer diamonds. They adorned her manicured hands with the Inner Fire ring with an emerald-cut diamond and another Inner Fire ring with a pear-cut diamond.

Kerry Washington shimmers in a see-through mesh gown by Armani Prive featuring pearl and crystal embellishments, a trumpet skirt, and an unflattering high neck (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

6. Keke Palmer Channels Jessica Rabbit in Black Pumps and Vintage Chanel Gown

Like Selena Gomez, Keke Palmer embodied Old Hollywood glamour but with a sultry twist.

She chose to rock classic black pumps in lush black suede, adding an opulent touch to the ensemble. They have sharp, pointed toes and asymmetrical vamps, giving the timeless silhouette a dash of edge and modernity.

They are finished with 4-inch stiletto heels, which elongate Keke’s legs and add a touch of drama to the overall look. I love that Keke paired the classic pumps with a black velvet gown she unearthed from the Chanel Fall 1985 collection.

Keke Palmer adds an opulent touch to her sultry gown by wearing a pair of black pointed-toe pumps with stiletto heels (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

The dress looks stunning on her. Its lush black velvet fabric hugs her curves in all the right places, showing off her hourglass figure and giving it a seductively feminine look. An elaborate sequin-adorned gold strapless neckline adds a sense of majestic glamour and provides the gown with a regal and elegant touch.

During the Vanity Fair and Instagram Vanities party, Variety revealed that Keke Palmer “had no idea” that Jamie Lee Curtis had previously worn the vintage Chanel gown to the first American Cinematheque Award Gala in 1986. “I just loved the dress. I just thought it was stunning,” Keke told the outlet.

Keke teamed the dress with black velvet opera gloves to add more drama. She appeared to be a contemporary seductress, evoking the iconic fictional character Jessica Rabbit.

I love that Keke decided to skip the necklace and instead accessorize the look with the $895 Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall Leaf Lab Diamond Huggie Earrings for extra sparkles.

Keke Palmer channels her inner Jessica Rabbit in a form-fitting vintage black velvet gown by Chanel featuring a gold sequin-adorned neckline and matching black velvet opera gloves (Credit: Ryan Hartford / INSTARimages)

Inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall, these earrings honor Tanzania’s natural beauty with a leaf-like design suggestive of a banana leaf. They are made from recycled 14k gold with round lab-grown diamonds that add a touch of glamour.

Keke styled her orange hair into side-swept waves that framed her face, adding to the ensemble’s Old Hollywood feel. To complete the sensual appearance, she added red lipstick.

Stepping Out in Style: Iconic Shoe Moments from Past SAG Awards

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards have consistently showcased remarkable talent and exceptional fashion, particularly in footwear. Over the years, celebrities have graced the red carpet in stunning shoes that have set trends and captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Here are some standout shoe moments from past SAG Awards:

Alison Brie’s Bold Purple Platforms

• Event: 24th Annual SAG Awards (2018)
• Outfit: Alison Brie turned heads in a striking red Dundas dress featuring a sequined strip that added a touch of glamour.
• Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with purple Jimmy Choo platform sandals, creating a bold contrast that highlighted her fashion-forward sense.
• More Details: Explore Alison Brie’s daring red carpet look at the 2018 SAG Awards

Frances McDormand’s Retro-Print Pumps

• Event: 24th Annual SAG Awards (2018)
• Outfit: Frances McDormand embraced a unique style with a retro-inspired ensemble that reflected her distinctive fashion sense.
• Footwear: She opted for retro-print metallic pumps, which added a vintage flair to her look and showcased her individuality.
• More Details: Delve into Frances McDormand’s standout shoe choice at the 2018 SAG Awards

Gemma Chan’s Elegant Louboutins

• Event: 25th Annual SAG Awards (2019)
• Outfit: Gemma Chan captivated audiences in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown, exuding elegance and sophistication.
• Footwear: She completed her ensemble with Christian Louboutin Iriza pumps, which perfectly complemented her outfit and added a touch of classic glamour.
• More Details: Discover more about Gemma Chan’s sophisticated look at the 2019 SAG Awards

Anne Hathaway’s Cerulean Tribute

• Event: 30th Annual SAG Awards (2024)
• Outfit: Anne Hathaway paid homage to her role in The Devil Wears Prada with a cerulean blue Versace gown, reminiscent of the iconic film scene.
• Footwear: She paired her gown with matching cerulean heels, creating a cohesive and memorable look that resonated with fans and fashion critics alike.
• More Details: Read more about Anne Hathaway’s cerulean ensemble at the 2024 SAG Awards

Sofia Carson’s Mod-Inspired Ensemble

• Event: SAG Awards 2025 Preview
• Outfit: Sofia Carson embraced a 1960s mod-inspired look with a modern twist, donning a chic mini dress that showcased her fashion versatility.
• Footwear: She completed her outfit with black bow pumps, adding a playful yet elegant touch to her ensemble.
• More Details: Learn more about Sofia Carson’s mod-inspired fashion at the SAG Awards 2025 Preview

These moments highlight the diverse and inspiring shoe choices that have graced the SAG Awards red carpet over the years, reflecting the evolving trends and personal styles of Hollywood’s elite.