Jonathan Van Ness says red carpet fashion is 'not for other people's validation': 'It's for yourself'

Hollywood is buzzing with the announcement of the 97th Academy Awards nominations. Leading the pack is Emilia Pérez with a staggering 13 nods, while The Brutalist and Wicked trail closely behind with 10 each.

But while the Oscars, airing March 2 on ABC, are a celebration of cinematic excellence, they’re also a showcase of self-expression and a master class in the ever-evolving art of the red carpet — a realm that Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness knows all too well.

Van Ness, whose new stand-up special, Fun & Slutty, is now streaming on Veeps, recently opened up about how Hollywood’s role in fashion and storytelling impacts the world.

“Fashion is really about self-expression,” Van Ness, who uses they/them pronouns, told Yahoo Entertainment. “It’s for yourself. It’s not for other people’s validation. That’s what people at large have gotten too confused about — they think it’s for other people, but it’s not.”

Instead of fixating on critiques, Van Ness believes the red carpet at awards shows like the Golden Globes and Oscars is about displaying beauty as a form of self-empowerment.

“Fashion is fun, it’s art, it’s play,” they explained. “We should celebrate it with each other more.”

Making a statement on the carpet

From Billy Porter’s tuxedo gown and Björk’s infamous swan dress to Halle Berry’s sheer floral gown and Cher’s legendary Bob Mackie ensemble, the Oscars have historically served as a stage for bold fashion statements.

Van Ness, who recently made their red carpet hosting debut at the Golden Globes on Jan. 5, believes this year will be no exception — especially for Oscar nominees like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both nominated for their roles in Wicked.

“I saw Cynthia [at the Golden Globes red carpet], and we shared this, like, beautiful, fleeting glance,” recalled Van Ness, who made waves in a Christian Siriano gown during their own Globes appearance.

“She mouthed, ‘I love you’ to me. I was like, ‘I love you too!’” they said of Erivo.

Demi Moore, an Oscar nominee for Best Actress for The Substance, who won a Golden Globe for her role, has historically delivered show-stopping looks on Oscars night.

Similarly, A Complete Unknown star Elle Fanning, who wowed at the Globes in a golden and leopard gown that was described by Van Ness as “a cool blend of modern and vintage,” has set high expectations for her Oscars appearance, should she attend.

Even celebrities who didn’t make the Oscar nominees list, like Babygirl star Nicole Kidman, are on Van Ness’s radar to inspire with their fashion choices.

“I loved her futuristic outfit [with] classic glam,” Van Ness said of Kidman’s look at the Globes, while praising her hairstylist Adir Abergel as “the genius of our time.”

Van Ness also emphasized that red carpet representation extends beyond the stars — it includes the designers who craft these iconic looks. One standout for Van Ness is Siriano, whose inclusive approach to fashion has made him a go-to designer for Hollywood’s most memorable moments.

“Christian has been giving luxury to people who deserve luxury that were not seen by the luxury industry for a long time,” they said. “Christian shows up for people.”

As the Oscars draw closer, Van Ness believes the red carpet isn’t just a place to dazzle but an opportunity to celebrate individuality and empowerment.

“How can we shift the paradigm to getting off on lifting each other up, as opposed to getting off on tearing each other down?” Van Ness posed about the future of red carpet coverage. “I think that’s what fashion and glam should be.”