Zendaya in Ungaro

We weren't super familiar with her at this point, but we'd seen her at the Kids' Choice Awards about a week before this in denim hotpants, so the dress was an extreme relief. It would probably be cuter without the yellow block, but it's still pretty damn good.

Rihanna

This was during a phase where Rihanna wore a lot of long garments that she only wanted closed in the most perfunctory and marginal way. 

Lupita in Chanel

That's certainly lively. It's like Karl sat back and spat, "We need to make it fun? What is fun? FUN is for the simple, darlings. BE COMPLEX." And then his assistant was like, "Uh, I put fairy lights on my apartment balcony and that... helps?" And Karl slowly nodded.

Chrissy Teigen

At the time I noted that this looks strangely like she's angling for her own Nickelodeon show called #Chrissy, and I think that's about right. It's VERY "I'm 15 and it's my first formal."

Shailene Woodley

I don't like the knotted shirt conceptually, but this looks pretty darn good on her. 

Jessica Alba

Those shoes are great. I can't imagine that top was the best available option.

Amanda Seyfried and Seth MacFarlane

These two have the body language of humans who are legally prohibited from getting any closer than this.

Jenna Dewan (Tatum)

I'll pass on the art-deco boobs, I think.

Bella Thorne

Can you turn a bralette into a toga party? YES.

Holland Roden

Well, look. If one were forced into a putty-colored outfit, pink shoes and lipstick are a great way to counterprogram it.

Johnny Depp

I also stand behind asking MTV to please stop treating Johnny Depp like a mysterious sexy surprise.

Kat Graham

Her foundation has a weird, almost dusty tinge to it, right? Is it just the shadows? I'm kind of into her funky outfit.

Rita Ora

This is so sedate for her. Also potentially backwards.

Ellen Page

Suiting has come a long way.

Ellie Goulding

She has sincerely never met a white dress she won't wear. This is one of the less egregious ones, but she is SO drawn to that non-color, and it's not even that remarkable on her.

Iggy Azalea

She photographs so incredibly dead-eyed.  I also think she is wearing hard restraints on her feet. They look like melamine bedroom cuffs made by Target.

Leslie Mann

She is, and was, reliably great.

Nicki Minaj

She looks awesome when she keeps it simple. She ALSO sometimes looks awesome when she complicates it, but this one stands out by making HER the focus.

Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, Nicki Minaj and Kate Upton

These four were promoting that excruciating The Other Woman movie starring... well, all of them, and Jamie Lannister. Cammy D looks good here. She and Kate Upton (I believe) did not walk the red carpet.

Zac Efron

Zac here is making a strong argument for cuffed denim shirts. VERY strong.

Katie Stevens

Katie, following her American Idol run in 2010, was on a show called Faking It on MTV (and two years away from The Bold Type). This all feels VERY Starlet 101: I'm All Growed Up Now.

Victoria Justice

Whereas this is just an exotic Versace long-line bra.

Now It's The 2014 MTV Movie Awards, Starring Early Zendaya

And Rihanna, Shailene, Nicki Minaj... the list is mighty.