Chappell Roan Takes Dressing to Another Level in Sheer Gown Hanging from Nipple Rings at 2026 Grammys

Chappell Roan is savoring her final moments as the reigning Best New Artist as the 2026 Grammy Awards arrive — and she’s doing it in maximal fashion.

The “Hot to Go” singer, who earned two nominations this year, made just her second-ever Grammys red carpet appearance on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles. If her 2025 debut turned heads, this year’s entrance managed to raise the bar again.

For the ceremony, Roan stepped out in a custom sheer Mugler gown featuring an illusion bodice and dramatic maroon draping that fell from faux nipple details and body jewelry accents. The look extended into a long train and revealed black underwear underneath. For interviews, she layered on a matching maroon cape and styled her long red hair forward for a more covered angle.

The ensemble nodded to the spring/summer 1998 “Jeu de Paume” couture collection by Manfred Thierry Mugler, later revisited for the spring/summer 2026 collection by Miguel Castro Freitas.

Roan is nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, both for her hit single “The Subway,” released in late July. Among her fellow contenders in both categories is Sabrina Carpenter, who previously lost the Best New Artist race to Roan in 2025.

While Roan isn’t scheduled to perform during the show, it was announced ahead of the ceremony that she will present an award.

In the lead-up to Grammys week, Roan was also honored at the music industry nonprofit We Are Moving the Needle’s 2026 Resonator Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Nancy Wilson of Heart presented Roan with the Harmonizer Award, recognizing her use of music to push social change.

“I kind of think that it’s just an artist’s — and anybody who has money — it’s kind of your duty to give it away,” Roan said. “I don’t really know what else there is to harmony other than giving. So, thank you for recognizing me.”

Roan has been outspoken on social issues since early in her career. During her 2025 Best New Artist acceptance speech, she called out music labels and urged better support for artists — including livable wages and healthcare.

That night, she delivered her speech in a gray Acne Studios ready-to-wear dress paired with a yellow hennin — one of several outfit changes she made throughout the evening. She first arrived in a tulle gown featuring Edgar Degas’ famous ballerinas from Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring 2003 couture collection, then changed into a 2024 couture Thom Browne blue layered dress with pronounced shoulder structure. For her performance of “Pink Pony Club,” she wore a custom look by Zana Bayne.

This year, Roan marked her nominations differently. Instead of a dedicated grid post, she acknowledged them via Instagram Stories. On Nov. 7, she kept it simple: “thank you @recordingacademy.”