Naomi Watts on Her 'Surprising' 2024 Emmys Dress Color and Why She’s 'Never Relaxed' on the Red Carpet (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Jordana Lanz

Jordana Lanz

Naomi Wattshas been a red carpet fixture since the early 2000s and two decades of nominations and dozens of couture gowns later, the actress could teach a master class on how to dominate any awards show.Yet, even with all her experience, theFeudstar andStripes Beauty foundersays she feels anything but chill ahead of the carpet.“I’m never relaxed. No matter how much practice you have, it’s quite unnerving, really, having lots of people call your name,” the actress, 55, says. “It really just goes against the instinct of being relaxed.”What helps: the perfect plus one. “That said, having my husband [Billy Crudup] to do it with definitely makes me feel calmer and the strength of the unity,” she says of the actor, 55, who shemarried in a New York City courthouse in June 2023.She also gets support from her trusted glam team including makeup artistMary Wiles, hairstylistRobert Vetica, nail artistTracey Sutterand stylistJeanann Williams.“I like to go with the devils you know,” she says of her pros, who’s she’s been working with for more than a decade. “I like the familiarity. You have a shorthand where you can say, “Oh, this…” They know what colors work on you. Or they know if you get fussy about putting on your own mascara, or it’s just always good to have a shorthand.”Here, Watts takes PEOPLE behind the scenes while she prepped for the2024 Emmy Awardswhere she was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie forFeud: Capote vs. The Swans.

Naomi Wattshas been a red carpet fixture since the early 2000s and two decades of nominations and dozens of couture gowns later, the actress could teach a master class on how to dominate any awards show.

Yet, even with all her experience, theFeudstar andStripes Beauty foundersays she feels anything but chill ahead of the carpet.“I’m never relaxed. No matter how much practice you have, it’s quite unnerving, really, having lots of people call your name,” the actress, 55, says. “It really just goes against the instinct of being relaxed.”

What helps: the perfect plus one. “That said, having my husband [Billy Crudup] to do it with definitely makes me feel calmer and the strength of the unity,” she says of the actor, 55, who shemarried in a New York City courthouse in June 2023.She also gets support from her trusted glam team including makeup artistMary Wiles, hairstylistRobert Vetica, nail artistTracey Sutterand stylistJeanann Williams.

“I like to go with the devils you know,” she says of her pros, who’s she’s been working with for more than a decade. “I like the familiarity. You have a shorthand where you can say, “Oh, this…” They know what colors work on you. Or they know if you get fussy about putting on your own mascara, or it’s just always good to have a shorthand.”

Here, Watts takes PEOPLE behind the scenes while she prepped for the2024 Emmy Awardswhere she was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie forFeud: Capote vs. The Swans.

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Let the Glam Begin!

02of 08All Hands on DeckJordana Lanz"It usually takes me about two hours to get ready, but then we add on a bit more time today because there’s a lot of things going on. And it always seems like no matter how much time you add, there’s always a rush, though.““I’m not very good at sitting still, so this is always me. I’m always a bit tweaky and edgy. And then, if you get stuck in a traffic jam, that’s always a nightmare.” But Billy and I are going to be hanging out and making it as fun as can be.”

02of 08

All Hands on Deck

“It usually takes me about two hours to get ready, but then we add on a bit more time today because there’s a lot of things going on. And it always seems like no matter how much time you add, there’s always a rush, though.”

“I’m not very good at sitting still, so this is always me. I’m always a bit tweaky and edgy. And then, if you get stuck in a traffic jam, that’s always a nightmare.” But Billy and I are going to be hanging out and making it as fun as can be."

03of 08Hydration StationJordana Lanz"Taking care of your body is as important as facial skincare. TheFull Montybody oil helps give me an extra boost of hydration and radiance to keep my skin glowing, luminous, and vibrant. It’s not sticky or messy, which is important for the red carpet, and feels and smells incredible. In general, when it comes to my makeup, I’m looking for something modern and chic, that looks polished without being too heavy."

03of 08

Hydration Station

“Taking care of your body is as important as facial skincare. TheFull Montybody oil helps give me an extra boost of hydration and radiance to keep my skin glowing, luminous, and vibrant. It’s not sticky or messy, which is important for the red carpet, and feels and smells incredible. In general, when it comes to my makeup, I’m looking for something modern and chic, that looks polished without being too heavy.”

04of 08

Balenciaga Babe

05of 08That’s ClutchJordana Lanz"No shortage of great options here! I was so grateful to have beautiful bag choices from brands I love: Carolina Herrera, Tyler Ellis, Roger Vivier, and Tyler Ellis. In the end, the Roger Vivier bag (2nd from the right) was the perfect fit for my dress."

05of 08

That’s Clutch

“No shortage of great options here! I was so grateful to have beautiful bag choices from brands I love: Carolina Herrera, Tyler Ellis, Roger Vivier, and Tyler Ellis. In the end, the Roger Vivier bag (2nd from the right) was the perfect fit for my dress.”

06of 08Dream TeamJordana Lanz"I love my glam team, and I’m so lucky to get to call them my friends. My stylistJeanann Williams, on the right, is just brilliant — she has a sharp eye for what’s current but, just as importantly, for what feels true to my fashion sense. I work all the time with my makeup artistMary Wiles, seen on the left. She’s got an infectious laugh that puts me right at ease, loves a good cup of tea like the proper English woman she is, and has a soft touch for makeup that helps me look refreshed and ready to roll. AndRobert Vetica, my hair stylist whom I couldn’t snag for this quick pic I took before rushing to the car, is a dear, old friend and a true professional. He lives in Milan now, so it was very meaningful to me that he was able to come all the way to Los Angeles to do my hair on this special night."

06of 08

Dream Team

“I love my glam team, and I’m so lucky to get to call them my friends. My stylistJeanann Williams, on the right, is just brilliant — she has a sharp eye for what’s current but, just as importantly, for what feels true to my fashion sense. I work all the time with my makeup artistMary Wiles, seen on the left. She’s got an infectious laugh that puts me right at ease, loves a good cup of tea like the proper English woman she is, and has a soft touch for makeup that helps me look refreshed and ready to roll. AndRobert Vetica, my hair stylist whom I couldn’t snag for this quick pic I took before rushing to the car, is a dear, old friend and a true professional. He lives in Milan now, so it was very meaningful to me that he was able to come all the way to Los Angeles to do my hair on this special night.”

07of 08Fashion FairytaleJordana Lanz"I felt so great in this look. Balenciaga custom dress; Harry Winston earrings; Guiseppe Zanotti shoes; Roger Vivier bag…what more could a girl ask for?"

07of 08

Fashion Fairytale

“I felt so great in this look. Balenciaga custom dress; Harry Winston earrings; Guiseppe Zanotti shoes; Roger Vivier bag…what more could a girl ask for?”

08of 08Hollywood EndingLaurina Spencer"I was so happy to get to share this night with Billy. No matter how many of these events that you do—and I count myself lucky that I’ve been able to attend my share—it’s always nice to have someone to go through them with, whom you can lock eyes with across the room amid all the madness and know that it’s all going to be okay. I’m so thrilled for Billy winning his much-deserved second Emmy! "

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Hollywood Ending

Laurina Spencer

“I was so happy to get to share this night with Billy. No matter how many of these events that you do—and I count myself lucky that I’ve been able to attend my share—it’s always nice to have someone to go through them with, whom you can lock eyes with across the room amid all the madness and know that it’s all going to be okay. I’m so thrilled for Billy winning his much-deserved second Emmy! "

source: people.com