The Worst-Dressed Celebs At The 2026 Daytime Emmys

The 2026 Daytime Emmys have arrived! And with them came the red carpet, of course. While we're used to seeing these talented stars on our screens during the daytime every day of the week, Daytime Emmys night always gives us the rare chance to see them out and about after dark. Unfortunately, some of these stars looked like they may have gotten dressed in the dark, too.

There are plenty of real-life scandals that have rocked the soap opera world over the years. Yet, some looks on this red carpet were particularly shocking — even for a group that knows a thing or two about drama. This year, the Daytime Emmys happened to land on Halloween Eve, so perhaps it's fitting that some looks were downright scary. While the best-dressed daytime TV stars looked like true shining stars, loads of cutouts, excess bedazzling, and Y2K trends we would have preferred to leave in the past made some of our favorite stars look less than ready for the spotlight. 

They say "when you've got it, flaunt it." Well, Michelle Stafford definitely has it and she was definitely flaunting it. But this look is clear evidence that it's not exactly foolproof fashion advice. For starters, this dress just has way too many cutouts. The sides, the neckline, and even the midriff all could have worked on their own. Together, it was way too much. Add in some prom-like glittery strips and a beige hue that totally washed her out, and you've got a total fashion flop.

Deidre Hall looks like she could pull a bedazzled rabbit out of a bedazzled hat, but can she make this outfit disappear? Please? Hall certainly made a fashion statement, but the statement she went with was a bit perplexing. This boxy suit jacket had undeniable magician vibes. Covering it in glitter just made the look more eye-catching. Paired with big, gold buttons and a white button-down shirt that was buttoned all the way to the top, the outfit makes us glad some magicians (and stylists) never reveal their secrets.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. In Tamara Tunie's case, just because you can match your dress to the exact shade of your hair, it doesn't mean you should. With a mock neck and exceptionally long hemline, this dress had way too much fabric, totally overwhelming Tunie. Plus, the color washed her out on its own... even without that pesky matching pixie cut detail.

Kate Linder wore black and gold on the red carpet. And when we say she wore black and gold, we mean she was covered entirely in black and gold. This metallic print was loud on its own, but with a high neck, long sleeves, and train, it couldn't have covered much more of her. The result was an overload of visual interest that left the star totally overpowered. And as is usually the case, adding a cape did not help the situation.

One thing is for sure: this royal blue hue is definitely Jasmine Burke's color. And the bold silhouette, with the long, show-stopping sleeves definitely gave this look a regal vibe. This dress was close to being a hit, but there were just a few too many details. Between the glittery scalloped pattern, the silver strings, and the turquoise accessories, a few elements needed to be removed for her look to be a real success.

Anyone who enjoyed fashion in the early aughts certainly remembers these oversized, circular, plastic sequins. Yet, while some fashion trends from the '00s deserve to make a comeback, we're not so sure this is one of them. Paired with the cut of this particular dress, it looked like something a 12-year-old might have sported in a bygone era. And it's a lesson that just because Y2K looks are on-trend at the moment, that does not mean every style from the era is ready to hit the red carpet again.

Braedyn Bruner's outfit at the Daytime Emmys would have worked if it didn't look so much like she forgot to put her actual top on. Looking at the white lingerie-inspired bodice, paired with the black satiny skirt, it was hard to think of this ensemble as anything other than a black dress she forgot to pull up over her undergarment. The whole look didn't feel cohesive and the black choker only made that fact more difficult to ignore.