In August 2014, Mark Wahlberg signed on to portray Mike Williams, the real-life electronics technician who survived the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.
He was joined by Gina Rodriguez as Andrea Fleytas, the crew member whose urgent attempts to contact the Coast Guard became a defining thread of the film.
Rounded out by Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, and Dylan O’Brien, the cast later reunited at the Toronto International Film Festival—where the story’s intensity gave way to a different kind of spotlight, with couture gowns and statement heels taking center stage on the red carpet.
Actors Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, and Gina Rodriguez onstage during the intro at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Deepwater Horizon at Roy Thomson Hall on September 13, 2016, in Toronto, Canada (Credit: Dara Kushner / INFphoto)
Wahlberg initially expected to play the younger lead and even approached actors like Jack Nicholson for the opposite role. However, producers felt Wahlberg was the right fit to bring authenticity to the story of survivor Mike Williams.
Mark Wahlberg poses with real-life Deepwater Horizon survivor Mike Williams and director Peter Berg at the European Premiere of Deepwater Horizon at Cineworld Leicester Square on September 26, 2016, in London, England (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / Startraksphoto)
The film also starred Dylan O’Brien as Caleb Holloway, Kurt Russell as rig captain Jimmy Harrell, and John Malkovich as BP representative Donald Vidrine. Kate Hudson was cast as Felicia Williams, Mike’s wife, marking her first on-screen appearance with her stepfather, Kurt Russell.
While the cast successfully captured the intensity of the disaster, their red carpet appearances at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival brought them a different kind of spotlight, especially Gina Rodriguez, who dazzled in a head-turning couture gown.
Gina Rodriguez Stuns in Cleavage-Baring Gown at Toronto Film Festival

In September 2016, Gina Rodriguez arrived at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival for the Toronto premiere of the 2016 American biographical disaster film Deepwater Horizon.

The then-32-year-old actress turned heads in a cleavage-bearing, plunging-neckline, floral laser-cut gown overflowing with whimsy.

Gina’s stunning dress, from the Badgley Mischka Spring 2016 Couture collection, was paired with Giuseppe Zanotti heels, though hidden beneath the gown’s floor-sweeping hemline, and completed with sparkling Chopard jewelry that added an extra touch of glamour.

The piece has a sheer floral lace overlay that cascades down on one side. Gina wore her dress cinched at the waist with a black tulle belt.

This was a fantastic gown choice for the actress, and we love how feminine she looked.
The “Jane the Virgin” actress also shared the red carpet with her co-star, Kate Hudson, who wore a see-through Alexander McQueen gown and Giuseppe Zanotti “Sharon” platform peep-toe pumps.

Gina Rodriguez’s Red-Carpet Style, Step by Step
While her Badgley Mischka couture moment at the Toronto International Film Festival captured attention for its romantic detailing and dramatic silhouette, Gina Rodriguez’s red-carpet impact has long extended beyond a single gown.
From towering statement heels to delicately embellished sandals, the actress consistently uses footwear to elevate her looks—adding confidence, polish, and proportion to every appearance. For a closer look at how shoes play a defining role in her style evolution, these standout moments highlight some of her most memorable heel and designer picks.
👠 Explore Gina Rodriguez’s Best Shoe Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5 ft 2 ½ (158.8 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 8, Gina often complements her petite frame with statement heels, designer sandals, and bold footwear choices.
- 🌟 See Gina Rodriguez wearing classic black Giuseppe Zanotti pointed-toe pumps and Jill Stuart mini dress at the Moët Moment Film Festival.
- 💃 Discover Gina Rodriguez’s elegant Sophia Webster Rosalind crystal-heel sandals paired with a velvet gown at the Eva Longoria Foundation gala.
- 🎤 Admire Gina Rodriguez’s glamorous Cristina Ottaviano turquoise halter gown and strappy sandals at the Annihilation movie premiere red carpet.