Whether or not Meg Stalter leaves the Emmys with a trophy, she arrived already looking like one.
The "Hacks" actress took a literal approach to dressing for television's biggest night Monday, transforming herself into a life-size Emmy statuette for the 2026 awards ceremony.
Stalter was covered from head to toe in metallic gold and wore a matching two-piece ensemble. She completed the look with sculptural wings and a golden sphere held above her head, mimicking the winged figure at the center of the iconic television trophy.
The Television Academy showcased Stalter's look in a social media post as she posed alongside her "Hacks" co-star Paul W. Downs.
Reactions to Meg Stalter's Emmy outfit
The transformation quickly emerged as an early red carpet favorite online.
"omg Meg Stalter just
showed up on the Emmys red carpet……. dressed up like a giant Emmy lol," one X user wrote alongside a video of Stalter's outfit.
Another user wrote: "MEG STALTER DRESSED AS AN EMMY NO ONE IS DOING IT LIKE HER."
Meg Stalter earns her first Emmy nomination for 'Hacks'
Stalter's golden entrance came as she celebrated a career milestone: her first individual Emmy nomination.
The comedian is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of the confident and frequently chaotic talent manager assistant Kayla Schaeffer in "Hacks."
Downs, who co-created "Hacks" and stars as Kayla's business partner, Jimmy LuSaque, was the person who delivered the nomination news to Stalter.
During a CNN interview, Downs recalled calling his co-star to tell her she had been recognized by the Television Academy. Stalter initially did not believe him.
"I called her. She didn't pick up. I texted her. I was like, 'Meg, call me.' And she was like, 'What?' And I was like, 'The Emmys.' She didn't even know the announcement was happening that day," Downs recalled. "That's very on brand, though. It was so Jimmy Kayla, but it was so – I'm so happy that she was recognized, because she is so special and so funny."
When the CNN host asked about their Emmys outfit, Downs responded "Oh, as ourselves, as Paul and Meg. I think. We'll see. We haven't really coordinated."
Stalter was similarly guarded when asked about her plans for the Emmys red carpet ahead of the ceremony.
"Well, it's in the works. It's in the works," Stalter told Variety when asked whether she had selected an outfit.
Asked whether her look would be coordinated with Downs, Stalter laughed and replied, "I don't know."
The actress may have kept the details under wraps, but the finished product ensured her first Emmy nomination came with an unforgettable trophy moment – regardless of the category's final result.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Hacks' star Meg Stalter literally dresses as an Emmy trophy on Emmys red carpet
