Carmen Electra's Best Bold Red Carpet Fashion Moments: Photos
Ever since the 1990s, Carmen Electra has been viewed as the pinnacle of sexiness and boldness. From her iconic roles like Lani McKenzie in Baywatch and Drew Decker in Scary Movie to her incredible dancing skills when she worked with the Pussycat Dolls to her OnlyFans, Electra really can do it all — including turning heads on the red carpet!
It’s incredibly hard to believe that Electra was consistently on the “Worst-Dressed” lists until recently because even in the 1990s, she brought the color, the drama, and really pushed the envelope with her fashion choices. But she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves for her bold red carpet fashion, and we, for one, think it’s about time!
Electra has had a hard time over the years with people taking her image, altering it, and trying to twist it — which led to OnlyFans. “People are going to do what they want to do anyway with your photos. You might as well be in control of them and follow what you feel like doing inside,” she said to People in 2022 when discussing why she decided to start an OnlyFans. “It does feel really good to stand up for yourself. I think what we’re going through now is people are finally standing up for themselves and who they are. … It’s not always easy to do, but I do respect people that can stand up for who they are and be honest about it.”
And if we’re being honest, Electra has always been a fashion icon.
In honor of her 52nd birthday yesterday on April 20, 2024, let’s check out her best red carpet moments over the years below! (Happy belated birthday!)
A version of this article was originally published on Dec 2022.
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A Shimmering Superstar (2024)
We’re still picking our jaws up off the floor after Electra’s iridescent, show-stopping People’s Choice Awards appearance and we have all the details on the flawless look here.
Legs For Days (2024)
Electra went for a daring leg slit at the 5th Jam for Janie GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 4.
Head-turning While Hosting (2023)
During her red carpet appearance for I.AM.GIA’s House of Gia, host Carmen Electra rocked a sheer black dress with a corset from the same fashion house.
Best-Dressed Beauty (2022)
One of our all-time favorite looks from Electra has to be this daring two-piece Alexander Wang look of a black skirt and dazzling silver bra top. This outfit landed her on every best-dressed list for the 2022 People’s Choice Awards, and she told Vulkan how excited she felt, saying, “I was over the moon. It’s always nice to be recognized for your style. When I got the dress, I knew it was stunner. I couldn’t sit in it but I didn’t mind it. Anything for fashion. I always try to go the extra mile in my fashion choices, even the hair and makeup team got the look down to the T. Madonna was one of our inspirations for the night and it was great to honor her.”
Sheer & Shocking (2022)
Who could forget when Electra arrived at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards in this sheer, dazzling dress that left little to the imagination?! We’re still obsessed, and can hardly take our eyes off of her look!
Flowing in Red (2021)
The rich color! The flowing train! The hair! Electra brought her fashion A-game when she stepped out in this red Pronovias gown for the Remus Charity Night.
Plunging Gown at amFAR (2018)
For the amFAR Gala in 2018, Electra wowed in this plunging navy Jovani gown, which she paired with a leather Henri Bendel clutch.
Regal & Ruffled (2018)
Electra looked so regal in this form-fitting, ruffled emerald Badgley Mischka gown at the Badgley Mischka show during New York Fashion Week.
Queen of Dark Fashion (2018)
Not only the Queen of bold fashion choices, but also the Queen of dark looks because this spider-inspired black and bridge gown Electra rocked is one of our all-time favs.
LBD Moment (2018)
Electra had such a chic little black dress moment when she arrived in this not-so-LBD at the Harper’s BAZAAR ICONS event.
Channeling Marilyn (2017)
Electra embraced her blonde bombshell status when she arrived at the 4th Annual CineFashion Film Awards, truly channeling Marilyn Monroe from the white, satin dress to the bold red lips.
Edgy in Velvet & Lace (2017)
Electra swapped out the bold dresses and sheer gowns for this velvet and lace number we seriously adore. For the premiere of Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, she turned heads in these velvet slacks, which she paired with a edgy black and white lace top and matching clutch.
Ethereal in White (2017)
Electra decided to switch things up when she stepped out in this ethereal gown that boasted a detailed silver belt accent and a long train.
Confident Superstar (2016)
When Electra made her way back to the red carpet scene, she came back with a bang, embracing her confidence and love for everything dazzling (much like this black and gold striped gown!) She previously told Joan Rivers per Muscle and Fitness that confidence is the sexiest quality. “One of the sexiest qualities you can have is to be confident in who you are,” she said. “You have to accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all. Always be yourself.”
Bold in Black (2016)
No matter the color, no matter the style, we can always expect something gorgeous and daring from Electra. Back in 2016, she turned heads with this sheer, dramatic and geometric black mini-dress.
Sexy in Gold (2015)
Ever since she came into the A-list scene in the late 1990s, Electra has been known for her dazzling ensembles and her iconic sex symbol status. In a previous interview with FOX, she talked about how she adores her sex symbol status, saying, “There was always something inside of me that, you know, where I wanted to be a sex symbol…I feel super honored and I love it.”
And she showed her confidence fully in this cutout, 1920s-flapper inspired gold dress for the premiere of Marriage Boot Camp.
Beautiful in Blue (2015)
It’s hard to believe that Electra was consistently on the “Worst Dressed” lists at the beginning of her career, because so many of her looks have been serves (including this pale blue two-piece!) Lately, she’s been making the best-dressed list (and rightfully so!)
Excitingly Edgy (2014)
Electra really said she was going all out with the edgy goddess vibes when she turned heads at the 6th Annual Revolver Golden Gods Award Show. With the big hair and simple, studded black dress, it’s no wonder she took everyone’s breath away!
Sheer Era Origins (2013)
At the beginning of the 2010s, Electra was coming into her sheer dress era, with this sheer silver accented dress making everyone’s jaws drop at the “Voices On Point” musical gala.
High-Slit Happy (2013)
Red really is Electra’s color because no one could take their eyes off of her when she rocked this high-slit, square-neck black and red gown at the 2013 Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party.
2012 Chic (2012)
This outfit screams 2012 vibes, and over a decade later, we’re still obsessed. Not only did Electra bring the crazy-high black pumps, but she did the iconic side-parted hair, gold chunky jewelry, and kept it chic with this shimmering black bodycon dress.
Princess Style (2012)
Like always, Electra brought the sparkle, but for the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in 2012, she also brought the princess vibes in this pink scoop-necked gown.
Youthful in Yellow (2012)
While we all know Electra loves the color red, she truly enchanted fans when she stepped out in this vibrant yellow gown for the 26th Anniversary Carousel Of Hope Ball.
Hot Pink Hottie (2011)
Electra adores the bold fashion sense, especially when it comes to anything hot pink (like this pink and red tight dress from 2011!)
In an interview with Vulkan, Electra opened up about everything, from her favorite project to how much she loves the color pink. When asked if she’d like to see the world in pink, she said, “Absolutely, pink is sexy! It is cute but depending on how you wear it, It can be demanding too and I feel like we achieved that with this shoot. Anytime you wear pink, it becomes such a moment.”
From Red Carpet to Runway (2007)
Along with so many other stars, Electra came to wow and amaze when she walked down the runway (truly looking like Hollywood royalty in this flowing blue ombre gown for MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood!)
Pink Princess (2006)
Back at the 2006 ESPY Awards, Electra decided to turn heads in this dark pink gown with a peekaboo cutout, rocking her all-time favorite color: pink!
In a previous interview with Yahoo Style UK, she said, “I loved the colour even as a child. I see old pictures of me in little pink dresses and all my toys were in pink. Prince’s song ‘Pink Cashmere’ and Angelyne, who is iconic even to this day, driving the pink Corvette comes to my mind. remember buying pink hot pants with a pink short top, and I really went there early in my music career. Of course, the pretty pink ballet outfits were a classic.”
Dazzling Origin (2005)
Back in 2005, Electra started bringing forth the sparkle, the bling, and all things dazzling to her red carpet fashion.
Flowing Fashionista (2005)
Electra has never been afraid of trying new styles, new colors, and everything in between (including this silk copper flowing dress we still adore!) And she credits her late mama for getting her into fashion, as she told Vulkan. She said, “I was always into fashion because of my mom. Attending fashion shows also inspired me to experiment more.”
Wonderful in White (2004)
At the the 7th Annual VH1 “Divas” Concert Benefiting The Save The Music Foundation, Electra arrived in this pristine white gown that is the definition of enchanting!
Color-Shifting Icon (2004)
This color-shifting blue gown Electra rocked at the 11th Annual “Race to Erase MS” event still lives in our mind rent-free.
Evanescence Vibes (2004)
We’re seriously getting Amy Lee from Evanescence vibes from this ruffled red silk corset gown Electra wowed in at the 16th Carousel of Hope event!
Rocking in Red (2004)
When you think of Electra, chances are you think of her time as Lani McKenzie in Baywatch (when she rocked the color red for a living!) And her love of rocking in red never faltered, with her most notable red look being this sheer, ruffled gown at Glamour Magazines Don’t party.
Old Hollywood Glamour (2003)
Electra brought the old Hollywood glamour in this elaborate white look at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, where she rocked this fuzzy shawl we still want nearly 20 years later.
Bell-Sleeved Beauty (2000)
Velvet, beads and bell sleeves, oh my! This elaborate, red-and-lilac feathered gown Electra rocked at the 27th Annual American Music Awards is something we’re shocked no one has recreated!
Handkerchief Hottie (2000)
This pink handkerchief-style ensemble screams early 2000s fashion, and Electra pulled it off perfectly at the Bad Boy Records Party in April 2000.
From Worst to Best (1999)
Electra always brought the daring fashion, previously telling Vogue “I wouldn’t be invited to a premiere but because of a crazy outfit, photographers would just start shooting. So they’d walk me down the red carpet and I’d just walk right in. I started getting press on being on the ‘Worst Dressed’ list. Then we turned it all around and then I started getting on the ‘Best Dressed’ list. It was kind of smart.”
Cultural Reset at the MTV Movie Awards (1998)
Did you really think we’d talk about Electra’s best-dressed red carpet moments without mentioning this iconic cutout gown from the 1998 MTV Movie Awards (one that Kim Kardashian wore as well?!) Electra previously talked about this fashion moment with Vogue, saying, “I think Stephen Sprouse designed it. The dress was long and white and the top was really, really small with the sides cut out and it was very low in the back. It had a clear strap holding [it] on. It was a mystery as to how this dress stayed on. My boobs were kind of pouring out of the dress and I literally was on every ‘Worst Dressed’ list in that dress,” she says. “But I was looking at it [recently] and I was like, ‘It’s so covered today.’ In the ’90s, it was really hard [if] you wanted to wear sexy clothes.”
Red & White Realness (1996)
When Electra stepped out in this matching red-and-white striped dress and jacket look for the premiere of The Nutty Professor, everyone knew she’d be a fashion icon.
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