The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be handed out on Sunday, the highest honor to be bestowed upon artists in the music business. But the only thing that can outshine the trophies is the red carpet report. The Grammys, unlike the Academy Awards or the Tonys, is an awards ceremony at which the stars love to make a provocative fashion statement, which has led to a series of show-stopping, hot styles (Carrie Underwood in Zuhair Murad or RiRi in Christian Dior) and red carpet red hot messes (Nicki Minaj’s head-to-toe leopard print outfit or Lady Gaga in… well, anything?) over the years. From Jennifer Lopez’s infamously revealing Versace dress to Beyonce in Cavalli, we put together the 10 best dressed celebrities to hit the Grammy Awards red carpet over the years! Click through to see if your favorite A-lister artist made the cut.
Jennifer Lopez, 2000
Who could forget this dress? Jennifer Lopez was the talk of the red carpet at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 when she stepped out on Puffy Daddy’s arm in this plunging neckline green Versace jungle dress. JLo has never been one to back down fashion-wise either. Just last year she boldly stepped out in this metallic mini.
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Nelly Furtado, 2002
Folksy pop songwriter Nelly Furtado’s music career really took off with her hit single “I’m Like a Bird.” in 2002 when it was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammys. But it was this ethereal dress by Giorgio Armani that really let her beauty take flight.
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Ashanti, 2004
Remember the year when Alicia Keys and Ashanti showed up at the 2004 Grammy Awards wearing basically the same dress (err, awkward)? It was a luxuriously long peach and cream gown by designer Roberto Cavalli. But it was R&B singer and nominee Ashanti who really turned heads that year with her glamorous crisscross halter gown over Alicia Key’s two-toned off-the-shoulder bustier and capris pair. I mean, who really wears capri pants to an awards show?
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Beyoncé Knowles, 2005
Queen Bey just oozes Hollywood glitz and glam, doesn’t she? She didn’t disappoint in this extravagant black and gold gown by one of her favorite designers, Roberto Cavalli. This dramatic dress hugs her bootylicious figure in all the right places! Combining a dramatic silhouette, intricate beading and a figure-hugging cut, she added even more bling with chandelier earrings and a slick updo.
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Christina Millian, 2006
Christina Millian may not have been nominated for any Grammys that year, but she still managed to steal the spotlight with her strappy silver-toned ombre number which showed off toned arms and abs. I guess, if you got it – flaunt it!
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Nicole Scherzinger, 2007
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Nicole Scherzinger was resplendent in this gorgeously gauzy, jewel toned gown when she arrived at the 2007 Grammys. The Pussycat Dolls frontwoman always looks perfectly bronzed and that amethyst hue is a radiant match to her skin tone.
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Carrie Underwood, 2008
Country sweetheart and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood added some color to the 2008 Grammy Awards arrivals in a Zuhair Murad floral print gown with a beautifully embroidered waistband. Eye-catching and full of pizazz, it was the undisputed fashion hit of the evening.
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Katy Perry, 2009
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Pop princess Katy Perry was pretty in pink at the 2009 Grammy Awards. True to her style of channeling that ‘50s inspired pin-up look, she donned a bubble gum pink sheath Basil Soda gown and sported her raven locks into a retro updo. Reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s more famous fuchsia dress from her musical number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Katy Perry’s diamond accented dress reiterates the fact that diamonds really are a “girl’s best friend.”
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Keri Hilson, 2010
R&B songstress Keri Hilson was just one of the many ladies who slipped into a tan hued gown at the 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony. She was spotted on the red carpet in a form fitting Dolce & Gabbana mermaid gown with an embellished sash. She polished off her look with Neil Lane jewelry and her shortly cropped hair was sideswept into a tucked front braid.
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Nicole Kidman, 2011
I’ve never been a fan of Kidman’s style (she tends to pick ghastly pale colors that don’t compliment her fair skin), but she did right by a lot of celebrity style enthusiasts last year with this strapless, floral-printed mermaid number from Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring 2011 haute couture collection. Her long strawberry blonde locks cascaded down her shoulder (perfect for a fishtail dress) and with such a grand gown, she only accessorized with a pair of Manolo Blahnik jeweled sandals and a golden cuff by Fred Leighton. She really stole the show that year (and to think, she wasn’t even nominated for anything)!
Did your red carpet favorite make the cut, collegiettes? Name your most memorable Grammy dresses in the comments box below!