Jennifer Hudson brought a burst of color to a star-studded evening, turning heads in blue velvet at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring Mariah Carey in Los Angeles on Friday night.
A Velvet Vision in Los Angeles
Hudson’s striking ensemble was a standout on a night celebrating Carey’s musical legacy.
- Hudson wore a Kilian Kerner spring 2025 gown with a textured coat.
- The dress featured a deep blue velvet column silhouette with crystal embellishments.
- The look was completed with black pumps, gold jewelry, and matching blue eye makeup.
- Velvet was a prominent trend on recent red carpets, seen on Queen Mary of Denmark, Elizabeth Debicki, and Margot Robbie.
- The MusiCares gala featured performances from Hudson and other artists in tribute to Carey.
The singer-actress opted for a Kilian Kerner spring 2025 gown, pairing it with an exaggerated, textured coat. The dress itself was a long-sleeved column design, crafted from deep blue velvet. A close turtleneck and fitted bodice flowed into a straight skirt, accented by a high slit that reached the mid-thigh. An allover crystal embellishment added a dense sparkle to the entire surface.
Jennifer Hudson in a Kilian Kerner spring 2025 dress and coat at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Mariah Carey on Friday in Los Angeles, Calif.
Michael Buckner
Completing the look was a maximalist coat in a tonal mix of blues. The coat’s high-pile, brushed texture featured short, layered strokes in shades ranging from pale blue to navy. Oversized sleeves and a wide body created significant volume, and an extended train flowed behind Hudson as she moved.
She paired the ensemble with black pumps featuring a matte finish. Accessories included a soft gold manicure and small drop earrings, while her makeup featured blue-toned eyeshadow and a neutral lip, complementing the dress’s color palette.
Jennifer Hudson in Kilian Kerner at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year held at The Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Michael Buckner
Velvet’s Reign on the Red Carpet
Hudson’s choice adds to a recent trend of velvet dominating red carpet style. Earlier in the year, Queen Mary of Denmark showcased a deep blue velvet Jesper Høvring jacket and skirt set at a New Year’s Court event at Christiansborg Palace. More recently, Elizabeth Debicki opted for a black velvet jumpsuit with matching loafers during Armani’s haute couture presentations in Paris, and Margot Robbie donned a custom Schiaparelli gown combining velvet and satin for the Los Angeles premiere of “Wuthering Heights.”
MusiCares honored Carey as its 2026 Person of the Year during the annual fundraising gala, which took place two days before the Grammy Awards. The evening included performances from a range of artists, including Hudson, who performed “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Vision of Love,” alongside sets from Foo Fighters, Billy Porter, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Kesha, and Maggie Rogers, all in tribute to Carey’s extensive catalog.
