A red-carpet appearance may look like a brief burst of glamour, but behind those polished poses is a carefully choreographed operation.
Every arrival, glance and camera-ready pose is governed by an intricate set of unspoken rules. Celebrities who ignore that etiquette can be ushered away, overshadowed by a bigger name or, worse, become the headline for all the wrong reasons.
Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, 37, appeared to learn that lesson at last month’s Venice Film Festival, when security staff hurried her along the carpet.
The moment left the actress looking visibly disappointed and offered a sharp reminder that, even at the highest level of fame, another star may be waiting to claim the spotlight — and your space on the carpet.
This week, heavily pregnant Anne Hathaway also became a viral sensation after abandoning her composed demeanour and waving her arms during the premiere of Verity.
The 44-year-old seemed to take control of the press area, directing photographers and people nearby, while co-stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett appeared decidedly unimpressed.
Celebrities who ignore red-carpet etiquette can be moved along, upstaged or, worse, become the focus for all the wrong reasons. Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, 37, appeared to face that fate when she was hurried along at last month’s Venice Film Festival
Hathaway’s almost headmistress-like intervention highlighted the finely judged skill involved in working a red carpet — an art that can still trip up even the most seasoned A-lister.
From recognising when it is time to leave to remembering that cameras may still be recording, brand expert Rebecca May outlines the red-carpet rules every celebrity should understand…
KNOW THE RED-CARPET PECKING ORDER
When a significantly bigger star is approaching from behind, move before an organiser or security guard has to step in (Pictured: Meghan at Variety’s Power of Women 2023 Awards in Los Angeles)
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Should celebrities be held strictly to red-carpet etiquette, or does spontaneity add to their appeal?
If a much bigger star is approaching behind you, move on before an organiser or security guard is forced to intervene.
When you know two arrivals are likely to overlap, stay in the vehicle and make another circuit, or wait until the route is clear. A smooth entrance is far better than stepping out while glancing over your shoulder, hurrying or being cut off.
It is not a personal slight. The bigger star is probably a lead cast member, and the event may have been planned around their arrival. Since nobody wants a queue forming on the carpet, remain aware of the people moving around you.
KEEP THE CHAT TO CHIT-CHAT
Dakota Johnson showed how quickly an innocent comment can turn into a headline this week after appearing to say: ‘Then I’m going to leave’
Dakota Johnson offered another reminder of how easily an apparently harmless comment can become headline news after footage appeared to capture her saying: ‘Then I’m going to leave.’
The cameras rarely stop, and with lip-reading clips now a global social-media fixation, viewers routinely slow down footage in an attempt to decipher exactly what celebrities are saying.
Off-the-cuff jokes, confidential conversations and frustrated remarks are best saved for somewhere beyond the camera line. The audience may be watching even when you think no one is paying attention.
NAIL THE SHOT – THEN MOVE ON
Recognise when photographers have captured enough and move along. Repeating the same pose is unlikely to improve the image, while lingering too long can make you appear unwelcome — as Nina Dobrev seemingly did at the 2026 Venice Film Festival
Don’t hover. Know when photographers have what they need and move on. You are unlikely to improve upon a shot by endlessly repeating the same pose, and you risk looking as though you have outstayed your welcome.
Give photographers the front shot, your preferred angles, the outfit and the look- then be confident that you have done your job.
There may be a queue behind you and photographers eager to move on to the next celebrity.
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DON’T STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S THUNDER
Don’t steal someone else’s thunder: Think Dua Lipa and Callum Turner. If your other half is the bigger star, don’t awkwardly linger when they are being photographed alone. Let them have their moment
Learn the choreography and know when to disappear gracefully from the frame. This is particularly important when you are on the carpet with your partner.
Think Dua Lipa and Callum Turner: photographers may want the couple together, followed by individual shots, particularly when one person has a major fashion look to capture.
If your other half is the bigger star, don’t awkwardly linger when they are being photographed alone. Let them have their moment.
And don’t do an Amy Schumer. At the 2015 TIME 100 Gala, the comedian famously threw herself to the floor in front of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West while they were having their photographs taken.
It was a joke, but deliberately stealing another star’s picture opportunity is not a good look.
NEVER STOP FOR A SELFIE IN THE WRONG PLACE
If social-media footage is important, get someone from your team to film it and wait for the right moment to take your own selfie (America Ferrera taking a selfie at the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards)
A red carpet is essentially a very glamorous production line – and it moves fast. Stopping to grab your phone, film content or take a selfie can block photographers, disrupt the flow and hold everyone behind you up.
If social-media footage is important, get someone from your team to film it and wait for the right moment to take your own selfie.
NEVER ASSUME YOU’RE OFF CAMERA
In the age of video and social media, a five-second candid moment (like Amy Schumer when she fell in front of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2015) can become the story
Some of the most revealing footage is captured in the seconds between the official poses.
Fixing your hair, checking your phone, tugging at your clothes, looking nervous or dropping your smile because you think the shot is over can all end up online.
In the age of video and social media, a five-second candid moment can become the story. The interview isn’t simply the interview – it is before, during and after.
DIRECT WITH YOUR EYES – NOT YOUR HANDS
Anne Hathaway made headlines this week when she appeared to take charge of the photographers at the Verity premiere
Anne Hathaway made headlines this week when she appeared to take charge of the photographers at the Verity premiere.
She may simply have been trying to be helpful, but there are professionals whose job it is to manage the press pen.
The trick is to move your gaze along the line of photographers, from one side to the other, subtly changing your angle and expression to give everyone the shots they need.
Use eye contact and body language. Photographers are professionals and will understand what you are doing without needing to be directed by hand.
FIND THE SWEET SPOT FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
There is a sweet spot, as demonstrated by George and Amal Clooney: enough activity for your arrival to generate interest, but not so late that the carpet is winding down
Don’t arrive too early. It can look overly eager to be posing on an empty carpet with nobody else around. But don’t go rogue and arrive too late, either.
There is a sweet spot: enough activity for your arrival to generate interest, but not so late that the carpet is winding down.
Once photographers start filing and sending images to picture desks, the press line can become noticeably thinner – and your opportunity for coverage may disappear with it. On the red carpet, timing really is everything.
