For centuries, women have endured discomfort in the name of fashion. From tightly laced corsets and rigid collars to towering heels and elaborate wigs, they’ve faced countless trends that prioritized style over comfort. Unfortunately, many of these trends continue to make their way into modern wardrobes.
Women on the red carpet often stun us with one breathtaking outfit after another, but behind those glamorous looks lies a hidden struggle. The sacrifices they make for beauty are often unseen. This compilation highlights the times when celebrities endured physical pain in their pursuit of perfection. Keep reading to discover which stars were left with bruises, blood, misaligned organs, and more in the name of fashion!
#1 Emma Thompson 71st Annual Golden Globe Award, 2014
During the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2014, Emma Thompson made a memorable entrance that had everyone talking. As she took the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay, she walked barefoot, holding her Christian Louboutin heels in one hand and a martini in the other. With her signature humor, Thompson quipped about the discomfort of her shoes, pointing to the red soles and remarking, “I just want you to know, this red? It’s my blood,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
#2 Anne Hathaway Versace Fashion Show, 2024
At the 2024 Versace show in Milan, Anne Hathaway found herself struggling to move freely in her corseted dress, creating a humorous and relatable moment for her fans. She posted a candid video on Instagram, showing herself wriggling and squirming in her seat while joking, “I just want to respect the integrity of the corset.” Designer Donatella Versace was seen laughing and teasing Hathaway, saying, “Help her. She can’t move!” Despite her discomfort, Hathaway kept her good humor, reassuring everyone, “I’m fine,” and expressing her gratitude to Donatella for having her in Milan.
#3 Jennifer Lawrence The Oscars, 2013
Jennifer Lawrence’s win at the 2013 Academy Awards was memorable for more than just her triumph—she famously stumbled on her way to the stage. Dressed in a strapless Dior Haute Couture gown, the actress tripped on the stairs but swiftly recovered, earning a standing ovation from the audience. With her signature wit, Lawrence joked, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell.” Backstage, she admitted that her first reaction to the fall was a profanity-filled thought that “starts with ‘F’.”
#4 Rihanna
Rihanna’s show-stopping, pope-inspired Margiela outfit made a dramatic statement—but it also came with a physical cost, as she revealed to Entertainment Tonight. The ensemble was so heavy that every step felt like a squat, and Rihanna humorously noted that her butt got quite the workout from wearing it. Despite having a simpler option, Rihanna chose to wear the intricate piece out of respect for the craftsmanship involved, especially the painstaking hand-beading process that went into its creation.
#5 Beyonce Met Gala, 2011
At the 2011 Met Gala, Beyoncé turned heads in a breathtaking Emilio Pucci gown. However, the dress was so tight that it made movement a challenge. According to People, the singer needed help from her stylist, Ty Hunter, and her husband, Jay-Z, just to make it up the iconic steps of the Met.
#7 Bella Hadid Met Gala, 2018
At the 2018 Met Gala, Bella Hadid wowed everyone in a striking Chrome Hearts gown, but her look wasn’t without its challenges. She later revealed on Instagram that her 10-pound veil, which had been sewn onto her head by hairstylist Jen Atkin, made it difficult for her to move freely. Hadid explained that this was the reason behind her limited mobility on the red carpet.
#8 Naomie Harris Golden Globes, 2017
Naomie Harris’s 2017 Golden Globes ensemble was breathtaking, but it also came with a serious challenge, as she revealed in an interview with ITV’s Lorraine. The actress described her dress as “like a corset,” making it difficult for her to breathe. The restrictive gown also forced her to skip eating and drinking after noon, as she couldn’t use the bathroom while wearing it. Harris humorously shared an Instagram photo showing her being transported to the car, where she had to lie flat to prevent creasing the dress. In the photo, the designer himself was seen carrying her to ensure the gown stayed perfect, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar.
#9 Zendaya World Premiere Of “Dune: Part Two”, 2024
At the 2024 premiere of Dune: Part Two, Zendaya made a bold statement in a complex, metal suit she had to convince stylist Law Roach to let her wear. Though it fit perfectly, the suit soon made her feel lightheaded and uncomfortable due to its heat-trapping design. Despite the physical challenge, Zendaya was determined to wear it and make an unforgettable fashion statement.
#10 Liza Koshy At The 96th Annual Academy Awards, 2024
At the 2024 Academy Awards, Liza Koshy had a dramatic red carpet moment when she stumbled in her towering platform heels. While posing for photos, she lost her balance and fell onto the carpet, momentarily overshadowing her stunning Marchesa gown and Simon G jewels, as reported by People.
Kim Kardashian shared on The Kardashians that her 2024 Met Gala look came with significant physical discomfort. She admitted to struggling to breathe and feeling intense pain, even contemplating sneaking out before dinner. However, after a chance encounter with Anna Wintour, who invited her to sit in her seat, Kardashian decided to stay, adhering to her mantra, “If you look good, it was all worth it,” and endured the pain for fashion.
#12 Kylie Jenner Met Gala, 2016
At the 2016 Met Gala, Kylie Jenner’s glamorous look came with a painful price, which she later shared on Snapchat. She posted a photo of her bruised feet and scratched ankles, captioning it, “When ur dress made you bleed and ur feet are purple.” Despite the discomfort, Jenner shrugged it off, adding in a follow-up post, “It was worth it though.”
#13 Kim Kardashian Met Gala, 2019
Kim Kardashian’s 2019 Met Gala look was breathtaking, but it came with significant pain, as she revealed on Instagram and in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. To fit into the tight corset, she underwent “corset breathing lessons” with famed corsetier Mr. Pearl. Kardashian described the experience as excruciating, saying, “I have never felt pain like that in my life,” and even suffered physical marks, including indentations on her back and stomach, from wearing the corset.
#14 Kylie Jenner Met Gala, 2017
In an episode of Life of Kylie, Kylie Jenner tried on her 2017 Met Gala look for the first time and revealed that the corset had to be tightened to the point where she felt like she would “kind of suffocate.” This highlighted the extreme lengths she was willing to go to achieve the perfect fit for the iconic gown.
#15 Kendall Jenner Met Gala, 2022
Kendall Jenner’s 2022 Met Gala look was both stunning and stressful, as she revealed on an episode of The Kardashians. The model shared that her massive outfit was so cumbersome, she needed help getting into her van, and the pressure of wearing it even triggered a panic attack on the way to the event.
