Emmys host Mariska Hargitay calls event to sudden halt after suffering unfortunate wardrobe malfunction
Emmys host Mariska Hargitay was left red-faced after suffering an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.
The Law & Order star, 62, attended a press preview at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.
She dazzled in a LaQuan Smith champagne-colored sequined skirt suit that she paired with statement sunglasses and pointed-toe heels.
During the event, held ahead of the 78th annual Emmy Award show on Monday, she joined forces with a whole host of famous faces from across the industry to roll out the blue carpet.
But as the group strode forward hand-in-hand to complete their duties, Hargitay glanced down and instantly called proceedings to a halt.
‘Hold on, we have to go again. My thing popped off!’ she announced, as she rushed to rearrange her blazer that had come undone to create a plunging neckline.
Thankfully, Hargitay’s blushes were spared by a sequined undershirt but the star hastily readjusted her ensemble nonetheless.
‘It’s better that it happens here than at the Emmys,’ the star playfully added.
Emmys host Mariska Hargitay was left red-faced after suffering an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction
During the event, held ahead of the 78th annual Emmy Award show on Monday, she joined forces with a whole host of famous faces from across the industry to roll out the blue carpet
Speaking to USA Today in the aftermath, the New York Knicks fan joked that the incident was caused by her heroic carpet domination.
‘I started going into full-on Knicks-mode, kicking the carpet,’ she told the outlet. ‘I was a superhero… just starting to pop open.’
Asked if it was good luck to get any mishaps out of the way now, she added: ‘Damn straight it is.’
Just days earlier, Hargitay, who directed a documentary film about her late mother Jayne Mansfield titled My Mom Jayne, raked in two wins at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday.
The actress received the award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for My Mom Jayne, which was released on HBO Max last year in June.
She also won for Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.
While accepting the award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, she gave a special shout out to Gloria Steinem for encouraging her to pursue bringing the film to life.
Activist and journalist Steinem passed away at the age of 92 on September 2.
Days earlier, Hargitay, who directed a documentary film about her late mother Jayne Mansfield titled My Mom Jayne, raked in two wins at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday
My Mom Jayne ‘explores the life and legacy of Mariska Hargitay’s mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, who died tragically in a car accident at age 34 when Mariska was only three years old,’ per an IMDb synopsis.
Hargitay previously won an Emmy for Best Actress back in 2006 based on her performance in Law & Order: SVU.
Her role as Emmys host marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years.
The 2026 Emmy Awards will air live on NBC and Peacock on Monday, September 14 at 8pm EST/ 5pm PST.
