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At Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards, new data from The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics underscored a simple but increasingly consequential fact: showing up on the carpet — or choosing not to — can materially change who gets attention and which fashion houses benefit. The first major awards show of the 2026 season already offers a clear preview of how visibility will be measured over the months ahead.
At the top of the night’s influence charts was Ariana Grande, whose custom Alberta Ferretti gown and enormous social footprint (roughly 372 million Instagram followers) translated into the highest earned media value for both her and the designer. Observers traced the look’s lineage back to a late‑1960s Oscars silhouette, a choice that amplifies the fashion conversation and fuels anticipation for Grande’s next appearances.
But the Critics Choice also highlighted the cost of skipping the carpet. Actor Timothée Chalamet arrived at Barker Hangar with partner Kylie Jenner and bypassed the black carpet; the decision coincided with a steep drop in his Power Rankings position compared with his regular top finishes last year. Meanwhile Jenner, who has an audience nearing 391 million followers, still generated coverage after posting about a vintage Versace gown her team purchased from LA’s Tab Vintage — proof that social reach can partially substitute for a live carpet moment, though not always match it in the rankings.
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How the Red Carpet Power Rankings are calculated
The ranking is the result of a multi‑week collaboration between The Hollywood Reporter and data firm Launchmetrics. At the core is Launchmetrics’ proprietary Media Impact Value (MIV), an algorithm that assigns a monetary-equivalent score to editorial stories, social posts and interactions tied to talent and brands. For 2026 the project will track five awards-season events — Critics Choice, the Golden Globes, the Grammys, The Actor Awards (formerly SAG) and the Academy Awards — plus the Met Gala in May.
MIV aggregates earned media across outlets and platforms to show which designers, jewelers and accessory houses convert visibility into measurable influence. The result: a category-by-category leaderboard that brands and stylists use to judge immediate return on red‑carpet investments.
| Category | Top Placement (Notable detail) | MIV / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Brand | Alberta Ferretti (worn by Ariana Grande) | Leader driven by one high‑profile custom gown |
| Top Woman | Ariana Grande | Massive social reach amplified the moment |
| Top Man | Jacob Elordi (Bottega Veneta) | Approx. $1.4M MIV for the evening |
| Jewelry & Watches | Chopard (worn by Sarah Snook, others) | ~$2M MIV; emeralds and statement pieces drove coverage |
| Crystal & Embellishment | Swarovski (Ariana Grande ambassador) | ~$1.5M MIV tied to gown embroidery and branded posts |
| Accessory Brand | Christian Louboutin | Top spot among shoes and boots worn by multiple stars |
| Notable Mentions | Tiffany & Co. (wide roster) | ~$1.4M MIV; multiple celebrities photographed wearing pieces |
Standouts from the night and what they mean
Teyana Taylor emerged as a clear creative force in menswear‑leaning Saint Laurent, a reminder that bold, nonconformist styling can raise a star’s Power Ranking over the course of awards season. Chase Infiniti — in a striking yellow crepe custom — registered strong influence as well, benefitting from strategic Instagram storytelling and an eye‑catching carpet moment.
On the men’s side, Jacob Elordi’s black custom suit pushed him to the top male slot for the evening, and his jewelry tie‑in with Cartier (the brand named him an ambassador last autumn) also generated meaningful earned value. Michael B. Jordan stood out in burgundy Louis Vuitton, signaling a tailoring‑forward approach that may pay dividends across upcoming ceremonies.
In jewelry, Sarah Snook’s emerald earrings — nearly 34 carats — and other high‑impact selections from Chopard drove coverage and helped the house claim the jewelry leaderboard. Smaller category gains can also be telling: Tyler Ellis clutches and a Stuart Weitzman sandal worn by a nominated star translated into measurable buzz for boutique and heritage accessory labels alike.
- For brands: One standout dress or jewelry reveal can deliver outsized return when paired with a high‑profile star and supplemental editorial coverage.
- For talent: Choosing whether to walk the carpet still matters — social posts expand reach, but live carpet moments often secure leaderboard positions.
- For stylists and PR teams: Coordinated posts plus earned editorial stories create the MIV lift that moves brands up the rankings.
- For audiences: The awards season rhythm matters — looks and narratives accumulate across events, so early successes set expectations for Oscars week.
One practical note for viewers: the next major stop on the calendar is the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, airing Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ Premium. Disclosure: the Golden Globes producer, Dick Clark Productions, is part of Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture that also has ownership ties to The Hollywood Reporter.
As award shows stack up between now and March, expect a running tally of influence: designers, jewelers and accessory houses will chase strategic placements and stars will weigh the tradeoffs of live appearances versus curated social reveals. The Critics Choice results make clear that in 2026, visibility is quantifiable — and decisions on the carpet have real commercial consequences.
