Why Emmy Rossum’s Poseidon Movie Sank at the Box Office — and How She Rose as a Red-Carpet Style Star

Disaster films like Poseidon captivated audiences in the mid-2000s, but it was the film’s star, Emmy Rossum, who truly made waves on the red carpet.

For a young actress at just 19 years old, her fashion choices at the movie’s premieres were a defining moment in her style journey.

Ernest Borgnine, Stella Stevens, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, and Pamela Sue Martin in the 1972 American disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

This article is a deep dive into the specific heels she chose then, and how her style has evolved into the confident, fashion-forward choices she makes today.

For 19-year-old Emmy Rossum, though, the film marked the start of her Hollywood ascent—one that would later see her making waves on the fashion scene, as evidenced by her bold Sophia Webster heels at the Marimekko for Target launch a decade later.

19-Year-Old Emmy Rossum Stuns in Versace at the London Premiere of Poseidon

At just 19 years old, Emmy Rossum exuded youthful sophistication at the London premiere of Poseidon on May 28, 2006, stepping onto the blue carpet in a dreamy Versace gown.

She finished the look with metallic heels that elongated her 5 feet 6 ¾ inches (169.5 cm) frame and perfectly flattered her size 8.5 feet, underscoring her rising influence as a red-carpet style star.

19-year-old Emmy Rossum in a lilac Versace Spring 2006 dress and metallic sandals at the London premiere of Poseidon on May 28, 2006 (Credit: R Lawrence/ WENN)

The novel became the 1972 cult-classic The Poseidon Adventure, while the 2006 remake, Poseidon, came from two-time Oscar nominee Wolfgang Petersen of Das Boot fame.

Emmy Rossum, radiant in a red spaghetti-strap dress, with director Wolfgang Petersen at the Poseidon screening during the 5th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on May 6, 2006  (Credit: Doug Meszler / WENN)

Written by Mark Protosevich and backed by a $160 million Warner Bros. budget, Poseidon followed Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum, Richard Dreyfuss, and Josh Lucas as survivors fighting to escape a capsized cruise liner on New Year’s Eve.

Mike Vogel as Christian Sanders in a sporty black zip-up jacket, alongside Emmy Rossum as Jennifer Ramsey in a soft blue cable-knit sweater, in the 2006 survival thriller Poseidon (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Regarding Emmy Rossum’s character Jennifer Ramsey, her standout look in Poseidon was a deep red sleeveless blouse paired with trousers. This costume later appeared at movie prop and wardrobe auctions.

Kurt Russell as Robert Ramsey with Emmy Rossum in her signature red sleeveless blouse and trousers as Jennifer Ramsey in Poseidon (Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Kurt Russell anchors the film as a desperate father, while Emmy Rossum gives Jennifer Ramsey depth and spirit, avoiding the typical damsel-in-distress role.

Fun fact: Lindsay Lohan was initially offered Rossum’s part, which would have been her second disaster movie after The Day After Tomorrow.

As Poseidon neared release, Rossum showed she could hold her own among Hollywood’s biggest names—not only on screen but also on the red carpet, where her premiere look revealed the elegance and poise that would define her fashion journey.

Emmy Rossum in Ralph Lauren Gold Strapless Gown at the Poseidon Film Premiere

Emmy Rossum dazzles in a Ralph Lauren Fall 2006 gold strapless gown at the Poseidon film premiere on May 10, 2006 (Credit: Devan / INFGoff)

Emmy Rossum, radiant in a gold embroidered strapless gown, at the Poseidon premiere—she landed the role of Jennifer Ramsey after Lindsay Lohan declined the part (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)

Born on September 12, 1986, Emmy Rossum was just 19 when Poseidon premiered in May 2006, having filmed her role at 18. Despite the movie’s box office struggles, it earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects and even set a Guinness World Record for its complex CGI.

Director Wolfgang Petersen took a decade-long hiatus before returning in 2016, while Rossum’s star kept rising. By then, her fashion choices had grown bolder—she was sitting front row at launches like Marimekko for Target, where her taste in footwear evolved from understated sandals to far more daring picks, including a striking pair of Sophia Webster butterfly heels.

Emmy Rossum Experiments With Bold Sophia Webster Butterfly Heels at Marimekko for Target Launch

In April 2016, Emmy Rossum ditched her usual ethereal-classic style for something outside of her comfort zone — heels with gigantic butterfly wings attached at the back.

Emmy Rossum wears her hair back at the launch of the Marimekko For Target line held on April 7, 2016, at The High Line in New York City (Credit: WENN)

The Mystic River actress wore the quirky footwear at the launch of the Marimekko for Target line in Los Angeles. For a brand as preppy and colorful as Marimekko, it’s somewhat unusual that Emmy wore all black.

Emmy wears an all-black ensemble to the launch of the Marimekko For Target line, despite Marimekko’s brightly-colored trademark designs (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / Andres Otero / WENN)

At least her laser-cut button-down shirt and matching skirt were also from a Target line? Both pieces are from the Who What Wear for Target line.

The actress styled her two-piece ensemble with pearl earrings from the Veronika Borchers x Pearl Collective Orion Bar Studs collection. Emmy’s quirky heels are the “Chiara” sandals from Sophia Webster.

Even if she showed up in an all-black ensemble, Emmy did her part in showing off the Marimekko for Target goods.

Emmy Rossum shows off a fresh pedicure in black-and-white Sophia Webster “Chiara” butterfly heels

While Poseidon may not have made waves at the box office, it marked the beginning of Emmy Rossum’s Hollywood ascent. From her breakout at just 19 to her later red-carpet fashion moments, she has continued to showcase an elegant, evolving style that cements her as both an actress and a fashion muse.