Taylor Frankie Paul made her Oscars red-carpet debut at the Dolby Theatre, stepping confidently into a more fashion-focused spotlight. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), the The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star used sleek tailoring and strategic heel choices to elongate her frame, bringing a polished, red-carpet-ready presence to the evening.
Her appearance also comes just weeks before her debut as the lead of Season 22 of The Bachelorette, adding momentum to a moment that already felt like a style turning point.
Her appearance also placed her within a broader footwear conversation at the 2026 Academy Awards. While Taylor opted for crystal-embellished Versace mules, other attendees leaned into equally distinct shoe statements—from Jessie Buckley’s soft satin pumps to Priyanka Chopra’s sharp Jimmy Choo stilettos, Kate Hudson’s platform Aquazzura sandals, and Anne Hathaway’s crystal-detailed Roger Vivier heels.
Set against that lineup, Taylor’s choice of warm-toned, embellished mules offered a softer, more understated take on red carpet glamour—one that quietly complemented the evening’s mix of classic pumps and statement heels.
Taylor Frankie Paul highlights her toned silhouette in a blush pink halter gown paired with brown-gold Versace Opera mule sandals at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026 (Credit: Etienne Laurent / The Academy)
Taylor Frankie Paul Wears Crystal-Embellished Versace “Opera” Mule Sandals at the 2026 Oscars
Taylor Frankie Paul wore a pair of nude-brown Versace “Opera” mule sandals, which added just the right amount of sparkle to her look. The satin front strap was embellished with shimmering gold crystals, instantly elevating the sandals. Right at the center of the strap sat a small bow accented with the iconic Medusa medallion.
The sandals featured open, rounded toes and an open back, giving them that effortless slip-on style. They were set on about 3.3-inch tapered heels, which added height while keeping the look elegant and balanced. I especially liked how the warm, nude-brown tone paired with her blush-pink gown. The color contrast was subtle but really flattering, letting the crystals stand out.
These Versace 85mm Opera embellished bow sandals are available for $687 (from $1,380) at Farfetch.
Taylor Frankie Paul displays her blue pedicure in a pair of light brown Versace Opera mules with gold crystal embellishments and a bow with a Medusa medallion (Credit: Etienne Laurent / The Academy)
Taylor Frankie Paul Styles a Pink Cutout Halter Gown With a Dramatic Front Slit
Taylor paired the Versace sandals with a blush pink gown that fit her beautifully. The dress featured a high halter neckline that highlighted her shoulders, but the most eye-catching part was the dramatic slit running down the center front of the gown. It honestly kind of reminded me of traditional cheongsam dresses, but with a sultry twist.
The opening was secured by delicate floral embellishments placed vertically along the slit, like decorative closures. But even with the fastening, it still revealed a hint of Taylor’s cleavage and midriff before continuing down into the skirt.
Below the waist, the gown flowed into a sleek, floor-length silhouette with a high leg slit that showed off her legs and those sparkling Versace heels. The skirt extended slightly behind her into a soft train, which added movement as she walked along the red carpet.
To finish the look, Taylor wore her hair down in loose waves and kept her accessories minimal with just a few rings.
Taylor Frankie Paul pairs her Versace mules with a light pink cheongsam-style dress featuring a halter neck and a central top-to-bottom slit with flower fastenings (Credit: Michael Baker / The Academy)
Versace’s Medusa-Embellished Heels and Mules Remain a Red Carpet Staple
Taylor Frankie Paul’s crystal-embellished Opera mules are a perfect example of how Versace continues to balance bold branding with refined, feminine silhouettes. From Medusa-adorned details to sky-high platforms and statement heels, the Italian fashion house has long delivered some of the most recognizable footwear moments on the red carpet.
If you’re drawn to the same mix of glamour, hardware, and high-impact design, these Versace shoe and fashion stories offer even more inspiration—from towering platforms to iconic Medusa-embellished styles worn by celebrities across different eras.
👠 Explore Versace Mules & Shoe Fashion Stories:
- ✨ This platform-heels roundup includes a dedicated Versace entry spotlighting bold high-heel mules with a chunky platform silhouette, making it the closest direct YNS match for Versace mule coverage.
- 💛 Heidi Klum’s Berlin Versace moment pairs an Atelier Versace look with gold-fringed ankle-strap heels and works well as a related luxury-house fashion story for readers drawn to Versace’s high-glam footwear language.
- 🖤 Victoria Justice’s Teen Choice Awards look highlights triple-buckled Versace Medusa platform sandals, a strong archival option for expanding a Versace footwear cluster beyond mules.
- 🤍 Rihanna’s white Versace Medusa sandals story is another evergreen celebrity-fashion reference, centered on signature gold-studded Versace sandals with classic house detailing.
- 🌿 Bella Thorne’s head-to-toe Versace feature brings in skyscraper platform sandals and full-brand styling, making it useful for a broader Versace shoe-and-fashion editorial box.
- ⭐ Nicki Minaj’s black-and-gold Versace look rounds out the set with statement “Star Studded” pumps, giving readers another strong designer-shoe angle tied to unmistakable Versace hardware and glamour.