Sabrina Carpenter Rewore Madonna's 1991 Oscars Gown, And 9 Other Celebs Who Recreated Famous Looks At The 2024 VMAs
The VMAs can be pretty nostalgic for viewers and attendees alike. So, it's not too surprising that plenty of celebs use their red carpet or onstage outfits to honor icons of the past.
Here are 10 VMAs looks that paid homage to other famous people:
1.Halsey wore a one-of-one Gianni Versace dress that was designed for Elizabeth Hurley in 1996.
On the red carpet, they told Vogue, "I cannot believe I'm wearing it! Gianni designed it for Elizabeth Hurley to celebrate the opening of their new boutique, and she dropped it off at a dry cleaner's. She never picked it up. They found it. It was auctioned. No one's worn it since. I'm wearing it. I literally feel like I could faint. I'm so excited about it."
Elizabeth previously wore the dress to the Versace Boutique Grand Opening Party in NYC in 1996.
Here they are side-by-side:
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
2.Sabrina Carpenter wore a vintage Bob Mackie dress, which was previously worn by Madonna.
Madonna donned the dress at the 1991 Academy Awards.
Here they are side-by-side:
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
3.Host Megan Thee Stallion recreated Britney Spears's "I'm a Slave 4 U" look from her 2001 VMAs performance — snake and all!
Britney's look was created by costume designers Kurt and Bart.
Here they are side-by-side:
MTV / Via Facebook: reel, Kevin Kane / WireImage / Via Getty
4.Megan Thee Stallion also paid homage to Simone Biles and the US women's gymnastics team in an Olympics-esque leotard.
Onstage, she said, "Shoutout to Simone Biles. Did she let me borrow this?"
GK Elite spent two years designing the team's 2024 Paris Olympics leotards. The design was inspired by Parisian haute couture, '80s fashion, and the US flag. They also consulted the gymnasts, who wanted to wear red, white, and blue, and "the more crystals, the better."
Here they are side-by-side:
Kevin Mazur / Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV, Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
5.Tate McCrae wore a custom Roberto Cavalli outfit that evoked Britney Spears's red carpet ensemble from the 2001 VMAs.
Britney's 2001 look was designed by Dolce & Gabbana.
Here they are side-by-side:
Jamie Mccarthy / WireImage / Via Getty, Dave Hogan / Getty Images
6.Taylor Swift's Dior look evoked Cher Horowitz, Alicia Silverstone's iconic character from 1995's Clueless.
The original look was styled by costume designer Mona May. It features a Dolce & Gabbana skirt and matching jacket.
Here's a side-by-side:
Noam Galai / Getty Images for MTV, Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
7.GloRilla's red carpet hairstyle paid homage to late TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
GloRilla previously recreated one of Left Eye's famous looks at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Left Eye wore a similar hairstyle at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.
Here they are side-by-side:
Steve Granitz / WireImage / Via Getty, Gilbert Flores / Billboard via Getty Images
8.Addison Rae wore a custom Miss Claire Sullivan look — namely her cone bra — inspired by Madonna.
On the red carpet, she told MTV, "A lot of Russ Meyer for the ['Diet Pepsi'] music video, Bruce Conner Breakaway, Madonna — I wore a cone bra. That’s part of the inspiration for tonight, but a little bit of ‘Diet Pepsi’ in there and a little bit Madonna."
Madonna famously debuted her Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra on the opening night of her Blond Ambition Tour in 1990.
Here they are side-by-side:
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, Kypros / Kypros via Getty Images
9.RuPaul's Drag Race alum Plane Jane recreated one of Chappell Roan's most recognizable looks.
The drag queen told Entertainment Weekly, "I wanted to pay homage to my favorite artist’s favorite artist, Chappell Roan, of course!"
She also said that her look was a "clear nod" to Chappell's Coachella performance, where she referenced Drag Race Season 15 winner Sasha Colby by saying, "My name is Chappell Roan. I'm your favorite artist's favorite artist."
In a "Meet the Queens" video, Sasha famously said, "I am your favorite drag queen's favorite drag queen."
Chappell has worn variations of her "Pink Pony Club" look for several performances.
Here they are side-by-side:
Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images for MTV, The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images
10.And finally, during her performance of "Good Luck, Babe!," Chappell Roan evoked French historical icon Joan of Arc.
In the 1400s, Joan of Arc led the French army to victory against the English in the Hundred Years' War before being captured and burned at the stake for heresy. She's considered a saint and national hero.
Here's a side-by-side:
Kevin Mazur / Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV, Universalimagesgroup / Getty Images
