Woodley's Stylist Defends Polarizing Emmy Outfit Against Online Backlash

Shailene Woodley's stylist, Karla Welch, publicly defended the actress's polarizing outfit from the 2026 Emmy Awards after it sparked widespread online criticism. The look, worn to the ceremony on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, consisted of a plunging blue Balenciaga top, gold beaded pants, burgundy opera gloves, and a colorful necklace. Following the event, Welch addressed the backlash on the social media platform Threads on September 15. "Love or hate something fine but its an opinion and it can even be a conversation but being super rude and mean and taking glee from it, well that says a lot more about the mouths its coming from," she wrote. Her statement did not quell the debate, with many online commenters continuing to criticize the ensemble. The outfit, drawn from Balenciaga's Fall/Winter 2026 haute couture collection, departed from traditional red-carpet gowns and quickly became a viral talking point. Reactions were sharply divided. Some social media users questioned the styling, with one widely shared post stating, "Her stylist needs to be fired." Others defended the choice as adventurous and praised Woodley for appearing happy and confident.