Key Takeaways
- Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs paid homage to Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner by wearing similar outfits to the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
- The outfits were seemingly the same eye-popping orange Chrome Hearts outfits that Chalamet and Jenner wore to the "Marty Supreme" premiere
- Stalter and Downs accessorized and posed similarly to the celebrity couple, with Downs sporting a ping-pong paddle-shaped black cross-body bag
- The outfits were planned by their stylists in July, but they waited for the right occasion to wear them
- Stalter and Downs have a close relationship with other celebrities, including Jenner, with whom Stalter has a regular "sushi Fridays" tradition
Introduction to the Red Carpet Stunt
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards saw a notable red carpet stunt, as Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs, costars of the HBO show "Hacks," paid homage to Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. The two celebrities had previously worn eye-popping orange Chrome Hearts outfits to the "Marty Supreme" premiere in Beverly Hills, California, and Stalter and Downs decided to replicate the looks for their own appearance at the awards show. This bold fashion statement was a clear nod to the celebrity couple, and it sparked interest and conversation among those in attendance.
The Planning Behind the Outfits
According to Paul W. Downs, the plan to wear the outfits was hatched by their stylists as early as July. However, the occasion to wear them did not arise until the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. Downs joked that they had initially considered wearing the outfits to a Fourth of July party, but ultimately decided against it, with Stalter adding that "no one wears orange." The delay in wearing the outfits proved to be a good decision, as the timing of the awards show allowed them to make a bigger impact with their fashion choice. Downs also stated that due to their busy shooting schedule for Season 5 of "Hacks," they had not had time to shop or pull new outfits, so they borrowed from friends instead.
The Accessories and Pose
To complete the look, Downs sported a ping-pong paddle-shaped black cross-body bag over his left shoulder, a nod to Chalamet’s character Marty Mauser in the film "Marty Supreme." This attention to detail added to the overall effect of the stunt, making it clear that Stalter and Downs were intentionally paying homage to the celebrity couple. Stalter, on the other hand, borrowed a dress from a close friend, which fit her perfectly. The two posed similarly to Chalamet and Jenner, striking a pose on the step-and-repeat that was reminiscent of the celebrity couple’s appearance at the "Marty Supreme" premiere.
The Connection to Other Celebrities
Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs have a close relationship with other celebrities, including Kylie Jenner. Stalter revealed that she and Jenner have a regular "sushi Fridays" tradition, where they meet up for sushi at least once a month. This connection adds a personal touch to the red carpet stunt, as it is clear that Stalter and Downs are not just paying homage to a celebrity couple, but also to friends and acquaintances. Meanwhile, Downs expressed his admiration for the film "Marty Supreme," while Stalter revealed that she had not yet seen the Josh Safdie film.
The Ceremony and Aftermath
The inspiration for their looks, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, was not immediately visible at the awards show, as they arrived more discreetly. However, the two were spotted sitting next to each other during the telecast, with Chalamet addressing Jenner for the first time in his acceptance speech for best actor. This moment marked a public acknowledgement of the celebrity couple’s presence at the awards show, and added to the overall excitement and buzz surrounding the event. The red carpet stunt by Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs will likely be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, and a testament to the creativity and playfulness of the two "Hacks" costars.
