Dakota and Elle Fanning, Now 31 and 27, Stun at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards

A glamorous night in Los Angeles brought out the biggest stars in Hollywood, but it was two of the industry's most iconic sisters who lit up the red carpet and sparked serious debate about coloring.

Dakota and Elle Fanning made a breathtaking entrance at the Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2026, arriving in intricately detailed gowns that immediately set social media ablaze. While their ethereal looks earned praise from many, others weren't convinced.

Some quietly questioned whether their pale-toned ensembles were flattering for their complexions, and then, one of their dates ended up stealing part of the spotlight for a reason no one could miss.

Star Power, Even Without a Win

Both sisters have been household names since childhood, and their presence at the Globes only confirmed that their star power remains as strong as ever. Elle attended as a nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in "Sentimental Value."

Although the award ultimately went to Teyana Taylor for "One Battle After Another," Elle's red carpet moment was one of the most talked-about of the night.

While her show "All Her Fault" is making waves, Dakota was in attendance to present the Best Female Actor award alongside Queen Latifah. The honor was given to Erin Doherty for her role in "Adolescence," but Dakota still turned heads with her effortlessly glamorous look and her poised delivery on stage.

Though neither sister walked away with a trophy, their fashion choices commanded just as much attention as any win.

Ethereal Gowns, Sparkling Details, and Divided Opinions

Dakota stunned in a floor-length, off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood gown, drenched in champagne sparkle, that showed off her curves perfectly.

Her platinum-blonde hair was worn long and pin-straight, and she kept her styling minimal with nude satin sandals, delicate makeup, and a diamond necklace that added just the right touch of glamour.

Meanwhile, Elle opted for a slightly more whimsical ensemble: a sleeveless floral gown with a plunging neckline, cascading in embroidered daisy petals in pale shades of blue.

Like her sister's, the gown glittered softly thanks to crystals and multicolored beading. She also wore her hair sleek and straight and paired the look with rosy-toned makeup and a show-stealing diamond butterfly necklace that shimmered under the lights.

Online, fans were quick to weigh in on their looks, and the reactions were anything but one-sided.

"Gorgeous sisters," one fan wrote. Another added, "Both stunning! Different personalities but stunning," while someone else gushed, "Gorgeous blondies [sic]."

One admirer praised their iconic skin tone, "Beautiful! And amazing how pale the Fanning sisters are 😍," while another chimed in, "They are both like porcelain dolls😍."

But not everyone was sold on the styling.

"I don't care for either one of their dresses that makes them both look washed out. A pop of color would've went a long way. A bright green or a red," one netizen argued.

Another echoed, "Washed out with the pale dresses and pale skin," and a third agreed, "Their skin is too fair to be wearing such light colored dresses. It makes them look washed out! A little color would have been better. 🤷‍♀️"

A harsher take came from one commenter, who remarked, "They both look 10 years older than what they are. I swear I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just shocked 😮."

Elle's Date Draws Attention — and Unexpected Praise

While the Fanning sisters' fashion sparked lively debate, it was Elle's red carpet date that captured a whole different wave of attention.

The actress was accompanied by her boyfriend, Gus Wenner, a 35-year-old media executive, with whom she made her official red carpet debut at this same event back in 2024.

Wearing a classic black tuxedo, Gus posed alongside the actress before the ceremony and was even photographed sharing a tender embrace with her while standing on a set of stairs.

What people couldn't help but notice was the obvious height difference, which was made even more apparent in one clip where Elle almost towered over him despite him standing a step above. But rather than mockery, the internet's reaction was surprisingly wholesome.

"A modern day Nicole Kidman Tom Cruise pairing," one netizen joked. Another praised her unapologetic confidence, "Elle Fanning found safe from relating to the 'he didn't like it when I wore high heels' lyric."

The love didn't stop there.

"I bet he is a awesome guy, I've never met a bad shorter fella. They have always been 10 times the heart in a smaller package [sic]," someone gushed. Another compared him to a familiar face, "He looks like a young Jack Black lol."

More fans swooned over how Gus looked at his girlfriend. "The way he looks at her is perfection," one said. Another wrote, "She always looks great. She enjoy [sic] those shorter men. Max and Gus. He looks in awe though, and I love confident and head-over-heels men."

A Redditor summed it up best: "Oh to be able to gaze upon Elle the way Gus does." And someone else simply added, "Honestly they seem so cute together. I am happy for her."

One final comment even brought astrology into the mix: "He might be the one, their zodiac signs get well together."