Emma Stone recently revisited a style choice she now regrets from the early days of her career, sharing candid insights during Vogue’s Life in Looks series released on August 14. The actress discussed her evolving views on beauty and fashion, spotlighting a particular red carpet misjudgment that involved a spray tan obsession. This reflection offers a rare glimpse into Stone’s personal relationship with her appearance on the red carpet.
The Spray Tan That Emma Wishes She Had Skipped
In the video, Stone reviewed images of her from notable award shows, notably the 2011 Critics Choice Awards. While she stood by her outfit—a silver halter dress paired with a low updo—she expressed strong regret about the spray tan she wore that night. She explained that growing up in Arizona, where her skin lacks natural pigment, she once believed a dark tan was essential to looking good on such occasions.
I told you before that I wasn’t going to say that I regret anything. I’m immediately going against that,
Emma said when shown a photo from the Critics Choice Awards. —Emma Stone
I’m from Arizona, and I don’t have any pigment in my skin, so growing up, I was really obsessed with the idea of being tan,
she added, describing her fixation on a bronzed look during her early career. —Emma Stone
Stone also mentioned how the spray tan created an unnatural effect, particularly on her hands, which appeared as if she was wearing gloves because the color didn’t extend there. Despite her love for the dress and how confident it made her feel, she believed the overly dark spray tan detracted from her overall look.
I thought, if you were dressing up and if you wanna look great, you should get a really, really dark spray tan. My hands … look like I’m wearing gloves because [the spray tan] it’s not on my hands. I love this dress. I felt so great in it, so great that I had to get a spray tan to really enhance how great I felt,
Emma recalled. —Emma Stone
Similar Regrets from the 2011 Golden Globe Awards
Stone’s reflections extended to another early moment at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, where she wore a peach-toned dress accompanied by the same spray tan approach. Reviewing images of herself from that event, she expressed even sharper regret at how the tan clashed with her outfit and complexion.
I looked like one solid thumb, and that dress is so pretty. Why did I decide to match my skin tone to the dress?
she wondered aloud, highlighting the disconnect she felt between her skin and the color of the dress. —Emma Stone
Looking Back and Ahead
Emma Stone’s openness about her early spray tan choices reveals the pressures actors face in conforming to red carpet beauty standards, especially when still finding their personal style. Her ability to critique past looks while maintaining affection for the outfits shows a reflective and evolving fashion perspective. As she continues to grow and share her experiences, Stone’s candidness may inspire others to reconsider the impact of trends like spray tanning in Hollywood’s spotlight.
