Inde Navarrette may be one of Hollywood’s rising stars, but her latest red-carpet appearance has sparked a heated debate over her fashion choices. After attending the Academy Museum Gala on October 17 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, the actress found herself at the center of online criticism, with some fans comparing her sculptural gown to a boba milk tea drink.
For the occasion, the 25-year-old wore a strapless beige-and-black gown designed by Schiaparelli, featuring a tiered bubble skirt and black polka dots cascading across the neutral-colored fabric. The dress had a sweetheart neckline and two voluminous tiers, with the hem falling just above her feet.
She completed the look with black pumps and diamond jewelry, styling her hair in a sleek bun and opting for nude-toned makeup that complemented the gown’s color palette.
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Inde Navarrette's Polka-Dot Gown Called 'Hideous'
While the design reflected Schiaparelli’s signature sculptural and architectural aesthetic, many social media users were less than impressed. Some thought the oversized silhouette and dotted pattern resembled a cup of boba tea, while others argued that the dress overshadowed Navarrette’s beauty and called for a change in styling.
“Her hair and makeup is as stunning as that dress is terrible. Nobody should ever wear that dress. It shouldn't even exist,” one person wrote.
“And what’s the inspo? Boba tea? Chia seeds?” another asked.
“Whomever made such a beautiful actress wear that ugly dress needs to be charged for war crimes. This is at least the second time where the styling does her no favors,” a third commenter said.
Another person shared their thoughts on the gown’s proportions, writing, “I find this dress hideous, but also she disappears in it. Sometimes hideous dresses can work. But she's not wearing the dress, the dress is wearing her.”
The dress’s unusual pattern also drew a strong reaction from one viewer, who commented, “I do not have trypophobia but this dress just might trigger it in me... something about the shine and organic shapes of the dots is really visually upsetting to me, and I genuinely dislike the shape.”
Others had mixed feelings about what the look represented for the actress’s career. “I’m torn because I feel like wearing this level of fashion means she’s really getting famous and successful which I’m happy about but the dress really doesn’t suit her and the jewelry doesn’t work,” one person wrote.
“She looks like boba tea with too many tapioca pearls,” another commenter quipped.
Inde's Success After "Obsession" Becomes A Hit
Despite the criticism, Navarrette’s appearance also underscored her growing presence in the entertainment industry. She has gained recognition for her role as Nikki Freeman in the 2025 supernatural horror film Obsession, directed by Curry Barker.
Navarrette is also reportedly set to portray the mutant Rogue in an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe X-Men film scheduled for 2028. She is additionally slated to host an episode of Saturday Night Live, marking another potential milestone in her rising career.
For now, however, her Schiaparelli gown has become a major talking point online, proving that a bold red-carpet look can generate as much conversation about fashion as it does about the star wearing it.
