Jaimie Alexander
Jaimie here does not need this win, because her show Blindspot just debuted to nice ratings and won its timeslot. But that doesn't mean she'd REJECT the victory, either, and this dress certainly deserves kudos.
Danielle Brooks
To see what it looked like standing still, please do visit the post again; I just wanted to include one of the gleeful poses.
Laverne Cox
My patronus.
Viola Davis
Yes. Forever. I really, really wish I liked the show more, but that doesn't take away from the strength and guts of her performance, nor the heft of her achievement. I actually liked Andy Samberg's basic gist that too often people act like winning one battle means the war is over -- or, in his specific example, acting like hitting one milestone in diversity means we can stop worrying about racism and inequality. Because we can't trick ourselves into thinking that just because Viola won this Emmy, the issues aren't still out there, because they are. Thankfully the dreamers out there of a new generation have this image to look up to -- something Viola herself did not. And the best part is, even without loving the show, it was a damn well-earned statue. She didn't win because anyone was aiming at history. She won because she WON.
Lady Gaga
I can't pretend I love the dress, but what I DID like was that she didn't hide behind any silliness, and instead let her lovely face shine through.
Sarah Hyland
A personal best for her.
Mindy Kaling
She glows so much that I'm not even really looking at Zachary Levi (okay maybe a little but you feel me).
Zoe Kazan
This is just wonderful. Considering it's her first time as a major nominee, it's quite impressive that she didn't buckle under the pressure, and instead found something wonderfully unique yet still totally flattering and appropriate. I'm so enamored.
Ellie Kemper
I am THRILLED something from the recent Naeem Khan collection made it straight to the red carpet. It's gorgeous.
Regina King
I'll be honest: I think I was so moved by her win, and everyone's reaction to it (did you SEE how stoked all the other nominees were? They plotzed) that I'm bringing some of that goodwill over to the dress. Meaning, I don't think I liked it AS much when I saw it but now I look and I'm like, "HOORAY."
Judith Light
An unorthodox pick, but here's my reasoning: beautiful skirt plus degree of difficulty plus she's the boss (sorry, Danza).
Teyonah Parris
Divine. I wish she'd had more to do on Mad Men, but hopefully, she will have PLENTY to do post-Mad Men.
Sarah Paulson
The hair torpedos this for me a bit, but she's here because it's the crescendo of a WAY better red-carpet year.
Aubrey Plaza
Another personal best. And Dylan was sitting on my lap while I built this, and he picked her as his best-dressed (it was down to her, Samira, and Sarah Paulson). He announced that Aubrey Plaza is the best-dressed EVER (and Liam added later, "The one who's knee is sticking out is really cool"). This should not sway you. They are six. But they're also right that she looks awesome.
Yael Stone
I picked this one because it was unexpected for me. She's brought some kook in the past.
Samira Wiley
This speaks for itself. It's just sublime. Calvin Klein dressed her and Laverne, and DAMN, was it a good Emmys for that label.