Stars weren’t just celebrating athletic achievements at the glitzy ESPY awards on Thursday – they also brought their fashion A-game to the biggest night in sports.
The night’s host, tennis superstar Serena Williams, 42, cut a glamorous figure in a form-fitting silver and black gown. The Grand Slam champion wore her light blonde tresses in bouncy waves.
Lindsey Vonn, 39, put on a very leggy display in a daring yellow dress with a sizzling side cut-out and a slit that went up past her thigh. The blonde bombshell wore her curls cascading down and added height to her look with strappy black heels.
Halle Bailey, 24, sizzled in a black and gold mini dress and strappy black heels. The Little Mermaid star wore a dainty gold necklace that spelled out her son’s name, Halo.
Rapper GloRilla, 24, showed off her washboard abs in a sultry black dress with a front cut-out. The Yeah Glo! Hitmaker paired the outfit with black heels and a silver lariat necklace.
The ESPY Awards — which have received backlash for their decision to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman award for service this year — stand for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards. It’s an annual awards show created by ESPN in 1993.
The awards celebrate individual and team athletic achievements, as well as other sports-related feats from the previous year.
Serena is making history as the first African American woman to host the event this year.
She was joined by her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, 41, and their six-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia.
Alexis looked sharp in a black suit and green sneakers. Meanwhile little Alexis looked adorable in a silver dress.
The pair have two daughters. Aside from Alexis, they are also parents to Adira River Ohanian, who was born in August 2023.
Meanwhile GloRilla was also spotted mingling with fellow rapper and college basketball player Flau’jae Johnson, 20.
Flau’jae wowed in a theatrical black mini dress with a tulle train.
Serena stunned in a form-fitting silver and black gown
The sultry gown showed off the athlete’s hourglass curves
The mom-of-two opted for delicate makeup
The Grand Slam champion wore her light blonde tresses in bouncy waves, and accessorized with dangling earrings
She was joined by her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, 41, and their six-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia
Alexis looked sharp in a black suit and green sneakers
Meanwhile little Alexis looked adorable in a silver dress
The pair have two daughters. Aside from Alexis, they are also parents to Adira River Ohanian, who was born in August 2023
Lindsey put on a very leggy display in a daring yellow dress with a sizzling side cut-out and a slit that went up past her thigh
The blonde bombshell wore her curls cascading down and added height to her look with strappy black heels
She wore yellow diamond earrings to match her gown
The Little Mermaid star opted for delicate shimmering gold makeup
She further accessorized with chunky gold earrings
Halle wore a dainty gold necklace that spelled out her son’s name, Halo
She wore her long tresses in a high ponytail
The Yeah Glo! Hitmaker paired the outfit with black heels and a silver lariat necklace
The dress showed off her collection of tattoos
She was spotted mingling with fellow rapper and college basketball player Flau’jae Johnson, 20
Flau’jae wowed in a theatrical black mini dress with a tulle train
Comedian Nikki Glaser, 40, stunned in a fiery red asymmetrical dress with lace detailing that showcased her toned legs, as she kicked off the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The blonde bombshell completed the look with knee-high red leather boots. Her light tresses were styled into subtle waves.
Quinta Brunson, 34, dazzled in a beaded blue gown with sheer panels and a floral print.
Selling Sunset stars Jason Oppenheim, 47, and Mary Bonnet made a stylish duo on the red carpet.
Mary thrilled in a busty cream lace-up gown.
She accessorized with a gold Dolce & Gabbana clutch and wore her blonde tresses in a chic updo.
They were joined by tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, who towered over them in a sizzling black mini dress.
Kysre Gondrezick, 26, wowed in a black lace gown and wore her black tresses in voluminous curls. She cozied up to basketball player Jaylen Brown, 27.
Colman Domingo, 54, showed off his effortlessly cool style in vintage-inspired high waisted Frey pants, a matching silk grey shirt and a metallic coat.
Rob Lowe, 60, looked dapper in a dark blue velvet suit.
Nikki Glaser, 40, stunned in a fiery red asymmetrical dress as she kicked off the ESPYs red carpet earlier in the day
The dress showed off her toned legs
The blonde bombshell completed the look with knee-high red leather boots
Quinta Brunson, 34, dazzled in a beaded blue gown with sheer panels and a floral print
Her blue eyeshadow matched her dress
Selling Sunset stars Jason Oppenheim, 47, and Mary Bonnet made a stylish duo on the red carpet
Mary thrilled in a busty cream lace-up gown
Her golden tresses were pulled into an updo
They were joined by tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, who towered over them in a sizzling black mini dress
Kysre Gondrezick, 26, wowed in a black lace gown and wore her black tresses in voluminous curls
She cozied up to basketball player Jaylen Brown, 27
College basketball player Paige Bueckers, 22, showed off her unique style in a lavender suit with a face printed on it
Her hair was braided in a loose updo
The Bachelor star Nick Viall and his lady love Natalie Joy cozied up on the red carpet. At one point he even gave her a sweet smooch on the cheek.
She sizzled in a black dress with horizontal cut-outs.
Meanwhile Nick cut a handsome figure in a white tee, a striped blazer, and black slacks.
College basketball player Paige Bueckers, 22, showed off her unique style in a lavender suit with a face printed on it.
NFL star Russell Wilson, 35, and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, 28, opted for white ensembles.
Rapper Fat Joe sported an all-white suit while his wife Lorena Cartagena opted for a bright look in a yellow mini dress.
Dancing with the Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 44, opted for a white suit with a black tee underneath.
John Owen Lowe looked handsome in a black suit.
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, 68, was also in attendance.
The ESPY Awards have a wide range of categories, including ‘Best Male Athlete’ and ‘Best Female Athlete’ and even ‘Best Comeback Athlete.’
The Bachelor star Nick Viall and his lady love Natalie Joy cozied up on the red carpet
At one point he even gave her a sweet smooch on the cheek
Nick cut a handsome figure in a white tee, a striped blazer, and black slacks
Rapper Fat Joe sported an all-white suit while his wife Lorena Cartagena opted for a bright look in a yellow mini dress
Rob Lowe, 60, looked dapper in a dark blue velvet suit
The actor accessorized with a silver watch
Colman Domingo, 54, showed off his effortlessly cool style in vintage-inspired high waisted Frey pants, a matching silk grey shirt and a metallic coat
The actor sported gold earrings
John Owen Lowe looked handsome in a black suit
Dancing with the Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 44, opted for a white suit with a black tee underneath
NFL star Russell Wilson, 35, and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, 28, opted for white ensembles
Russell accessorized with sunglasses
Nick Saban and Terry Saban made a glamorous duo on the red carpet
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, 68, was also in attendance
Prince Harry, 39, was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy event.
His wife Meghan Markle beamed with pride as he accepted the prestigious military honor, and he used his time on stage to pay tribute to wounded veterans.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined other award nominees including Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark.
The royals received a huge cheer as they were announced by Williams, a close friend of Meghan, as she jokingly warned them not to ‘overshadow’ her on ‘my night.’
He also paid tribute to his ‘eternal bond’ with Princess Diana as he addressed Pat Tillman’s mother while accepting her son’s namesake award at the ESPY’s – weeks after she condemned him as the winner.
The royal extended an olive branch to Tillman’s mother Mary and noted his ‘respect’ for her advocacy of her son’s memory, as he also applauded the sacrifice of wounded veterans and praised the Invictus Games in his victory speech.
‘Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,’ he said, referring to the fallen soldier’s mom. ‘The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.’
Tillman, an American football star who gave up a multi-million dollar contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 , had his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.
Meghan Markle beamed with pride as Prince Harry collected a prestigious military honor at the ESPY Awards
Harry, 39, was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy event
He sported an elegant black suit as he picked up the award, despite receiving backlash, with many Americans calling on him to turn it down
Quinta pictured inside the ceremony
Following the announcement that Prince Harry would be getting the award, there was plenty of backlash, with many Americans calling on him to turn it down.
Pat’s mother slammed the decision and said she’s wasn’t consulted. ‘I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,’ she said.
‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.
‘These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.’
The Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.
Last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.
ESPN said Harry was being honored for his ‘tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport’ with his Invictus Games.
Serena was pictured hosting the event
She later changed her outfit to a Barbie pink mini dress and heels
She was seen entertaining the crowd with an enthusiastic performance
The mom-of-two showed off her toned legs
GloRilla presented an award with Draymond Green
Halle and Lamar Jackson spoke onstage
Singer Ciara gave a thrilling performance
She got the crowd going with her infectious energy
She was joined by a number of backup dancers
She channeled Lara Croft in a sizzling black combat look
A petition with more than 68,000 signatures has demanded ESPN drop Harry from the awards because he had been ‘involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude’.
New Jersey resident Patti Mickel, who started the petition, said ‘the Pat Tillman award should be representative of his values and should honor someone who, like Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country.’
‘Awarding this honor to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.’
The ESPYs are broadcast live on ABC.
