A few minutes of posing beneath the flashbulbs may look effortless, but a red carpet is governed by a carefully rehearsed set of rules.
From the order of arrivals to the timing of every pose and glance, almost everything is coordinated. Celebrities who misjudge the etiquette can be ushered away, overshadowed by a bigger name or, worse, become the headline for all the wrong reasons.
Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, 37, appeared visibly disappointed after being hurried along at the Venice Film Festival last month.
The awkward moment was a sharp reminder that even highly successful actors can be moved aside when a more prominent guest is waiting to take over the spotlight.
This week, heavily pregnant Anne Hathaway attracted viral attention after abandoning her usual composure and energetically waving her arms at the premiere of Verity.
The 44-year-old appeared to take control of the press area, directing photographers and people nearby, while co-stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett seemed considerably less enthusiastic.
Red carpet etiquette can be unforgiving. Stars who misread the moment may be moved along, overshadowed or turned into the evening’s unexpected story—as Nina Dobrev appeared to be at the Venice Film Festival last month.
Hathaway’s headmistress-style intervention highlighted the finely judged skill involved in working a red carpet—an art that can challenge even the most experienced A-listers.
From recognising when it is time to step aside to remembering that cameras may still be recording, brand expert Rebecca May shares the red carpet rules every celebrity should understand.
KNOW THE RED-CARPET PECKING ORDER
When a much bigger star is approaching from behind, it is better to leave the carpet voluntarily than wait for an organiser or security guard to step in (pictured: Meghan at Variety’s Power of Women 2023 Awards in Los Angeles).
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Should red carpet etiquette be strictly enforced for celebrities, or does a little spontaneity make them more appealing?
If a bigger star is approaching behind you, recognise the moment to move before an event organiser or security officer has to intervene.
When you know your arrival could coincide with someone else’s, consider remaining in the car for another circuit or waiting until the path is clear. A polished entrance is far better than appearing rushed, glancing over your shoulder or being interrupted mid-arrival.
There is usually no personal slight involved. The leading star may be central to the cast, with the entire event planned around their appearance. Since nobody wants a queue forming on the carpet, showing consideration for everyone nearby is essential.
KEEP THE CHAT TO CHIT-CHAT
Dakota Johnson showed how quickly an apparently harmless comment can become a headline after viewers believed they heard her say: “Then I’m going to leave.”
Dakota Johnson provided a fresh example this week of how an innocent-sounding remark can fuel online speculation after she appeared to say: “Then I’m going to leave.”
Red carpet cameras are rarely switched off, and lip-reading videos have become a major social media phenomenon. Viewers often slow down clips and scrutinise every exchange in an effort to determine what celebrities were saying.
Private conversations, spontaneous jokes and moments of frustration are best saved for beyond the photographers’ reach. The public may be watching even when a star believes the cameras are no longer focused on them.
NAIL THE SHOT – THEN MOVE ON
Once photographers have captured the images they need, it is wise to continue moving. Repeating the same pose rarely improves the result and can make a celebrity appear to have lingered too long—much like Nina Dobrev at the Venice Film Festival 2026.
Don’t hover. Know when photographers have what they need and move on. You are unlikely to improve upon a shot by endlessly repeating the same pose, and you risk looking as though you have outstayed your welcome.
Give photographers the front shot, your preferred angles, the outfit and the look- then be confident that you have done your job.
There may be a queue behind you and photographers eager to move on to the next celebrity.
DON’T STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S THUNDER
Don’t steal someone else’s thunder: Think Dua Lipa and Callum Turner. If your other half is the bigger star, don’t awkwardly linger when they are being photographed alone. Let them have their moment
Learn the choreography and know when to disappear gracefully from the frame. This is particularly important when you are on the carpet with your partner.
Think Dua Lipa and Callum Turner: photographers may want the couple together, followed by individual shots, particularly when one person has a major fashion look to capture.
If your other half is the bigger star, don’t awkwardly linger when they are being photographed alone. Let them have their moment.
And don’t do an Amy Schumer. At the 2015 TIME 100 Gala, the comedian famously threw herself to the floor in front of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West while they were having their photographs taken.
It was a joke, but deliberately stealing another star’s picture opportunity is not a good look.
NEVER STOP FOR A SELFIE IN THE WRONG PLACE
If social-media footage is important, get someone from your team to film it and wait for the right moment to take your own selfie (America Ferrera taking a selfie at the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards)
A red carpet is essentially a very glamorous production line – and it moves fast. Stopping to grab your phone, film content or take a selfie can block photographers, disrupt the flow and hold everyone behind you up.
If social-media footage is important, get someone from your team to film it and wait for the right moment to take your own selfie.
NEVER ASSUME YOU’RE OFF CAMERA
In the age of video and social media, a five-second candid moment (like Amy Schumer when she fell in front of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2015) can become the story
Some of the most revealing footage is captured in the seconds between the official poses.
Fixing your hair, checking your phone, tugging at your clothes, looking nervous or dropping your smile because you think the shot is over can all end up online.
In the age of video and social media, a five-second candid moment can become the story. The interview isn’t simply the interview – it is before, during and after.
DIRECT WITH YOUR EYES – NOT YOUR HANDS
Anne Hathaway made headlines this week when she appeared to take charge of the photographers at the Verity premiere
Anne Hathaway made headlines this week when she appeared to take charge of the photographers at the Verity premiere.
She may simply have been trying to be helpful, but there are professionals whose job it is to manage the press pen.
The trick is to move your gaze along the line of photographers, from one side to the other, subtly changing your angle and expression to give everyone the shots they need.
Use eye contact and body language. Photographers are professionals and will understand what you are doing without needing to be directed by hand.
FIND THE SWEET SPOT FOR YOUR ARRIVAL
There is a sweet spot, as demonstrated by George and Amal Clooney: enough activity for your arrival to generate interest, but not so late that the carpet is winding down
Don’t arrive too early. It can look overly eager to be posing on an empty carpet with nobody else around. But don’t go rogue and arrive too late, either.
There is a sweet spot: enough activity for your arrival to generate interest, but not so late that the carpet is winding down.
Once photographers start filing and sending images to picture desks, the press line can become noticeably thinner – and your opportunity for coverage may disappear with it. On the red carpet, timing really is everything.