Lucy Liu, born on December 2, 1968, is an American actress known for her versatile career. The Trouble with Bliss actress stands at 5 feet 1 ½ inches (156.2 cm), although she has humorously claimed to be 5 feet 3 inches tall.
Despite her petite stature, Liu has achieved significant success in her acting career, earning accolades such as a Critics’ Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Seoul International Drama Award. She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
In the photo below, where all three are wearing high heels, Drew Barrymore, at 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm), is in the middle in terms of height.
Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu reunite in effortlessly chic spring ensembles—Drew in a billowy printed maxi with sky-high platform heels, Cameron in a tailored blouse and jeans with strappy sandals, and Lucy in a floral satin gown paired with metallic peep-toe heels (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Petite Power: Lucy Liu’s Height, Shoe Size, and Style Tricks
Lucy Liu is 5 feet 1 ½ inches (156.2 cm) tall, which is shorter than the average height of an American woman, around 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm).
Lucy Liu’s shoe size in the US is 6. In other shoe size systems, her size is roughly equivalent to a 36.5 in European sizes, a 4.5 in UK sizes, and a 23 in Japanese sizes. Being petite, she often wears nude heels because they are versatile, flattering, and leg-lengthening.
Actress Lucy Liu flaunts her toned legs and fresh pedicure in leg-lengthening nude Jimmy Choo peep-toe pumps on the red carpet (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Lucy Liu’s Most Memorable Designer Heel Moments
From structured gowns to sleek minis, Lucy Liu consistently elevates her red carpet style with head-turning heels that speak to her refined yet daring aesthetic:
- For the 2014 Tony Awards, Liu stunned in a tuxedo-inspired Vivienne Westwood gown, grounded by Swarovski-embellished Nicholas Kirkwood sandals that added just the right touch of opulence.
- At the Broadway premiere of Hamilton, she paired her Monique Lhuillier Resort 2016 look with Stuart Weitzman’s ‘Bebare’ patent platform sandals in Adobe. This sleek choice echoed her minimalist-meets-modern vibe.
- During the Couture Council Award Luncheon, Lucy embraced classic glamour in a navy blue Carolina Herrera dress, offset by the simplicity of Saint Laurent’s signature ‘Jane’ ankle-strap sandals.
- Never one to shy away from bold prints, Liu arrived at PaleyFest in 2013 wearing a Roberto Cavalli dress with mixed patterns, accessorized with a glittering Jimmy Choo ‘Charlize’ clutch and her go-to Saint Laurent sandals, proving once again she’s mastered statement dressing with a sleek finish.
For more footwear inspiration, see how she styled a stunning yellow chiffon dress at the 2016 Tony Awards and Mary Jane pumps with a layered ruffle skirt at the world premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” in Los Angeles.
The “Presence” Film Premiere in New York
The “Presence” film premiered on January 16, 2025, in New York, transforming the red carpet into a study in contrast—equal parts elegance and eerie allure, echoing the film’s supernatural tone. Leading lady Lucy Liu embodied gothic romanticism in a black tulle Zuhair Murad gown from the designer’s Fall 2024 collection, complete with a ruffled neckline and sheer lace accents.
Beside her, Julia Fox broke convention in a sharply tailored, menswear-inspired suit, while Callina Liang exuded minimalist sophistication in a white bodycon dress that flattered her silhouette.
Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Callina Liang showcase three striking interpretations of eveningwear at the Presence premiere—Liu exuding gothic grace in black lace Zuhair Murad, Fox bringing androgynous flair in a floral-print suit and stacked platforms, and Liang radiating minimal glamour in a curve-skimming white gown on January 16, 2025, in New York City (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)
From Ally McBeal to Elementary: Liu’s Legacy of Scene-Stealing Performances
Liu has built one of Hollywood’s most distinctive careers, seamlessly balancing comedy, drama, and action. She first captured attention as Ling Woo on Ally McBeal (1998–2002) before cementing her status as an action icon in Charlie’s Angels (2000, 2003) and later redefining the detective archetype as Dr. Joan Watson in CBS’s Elementary (2012–2019).
In an iconic snowy showdown from Kill Bill: Volume 1, Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii slices in an all-white kimono and traditional tabi shoes, while Uma Thurman’s The Bride strikes in her blood-streaked yellow tracksuit and Onitsuka Tiger sneakers
Her film résumé spans from Payback (1999) and Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) to the romantic comedy Set It Up (2018). She’s also a prolific voice performer, best known as Master Viper in Kung Fu Panda and Silvermist in Disney’s Tinker Bell series, as well as more recent turns in Strange World (2022) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). Behind the camera, she has directed episodes of Elementary and Disney’s American Born Chinese, proving her creative range extends far beyond acting.
Whether commanding the screen or owning the red carpet, Lucy Liu continues to blend confidence with couture flair. One appearance that perfectly captured her signature mix of elegance and edge came at PaleyFest 2016.
Lucy Liu Dazzles in Red Lace Mini Dress at PaleyFest 2016
At the 2016 PaleyFest New York, Lucy Liu lit up the red carpet outside the Paley Center for Media as Elementary entered its fifth season.
By then, her portrayal of Dr. Joan Watson had become a modern TV staple—smart, stylish, and quietly powerful—and her fashion choices often mirrored that same confidence.
Lucy Liu looked stunning in a red lace mini dress by Monique Lhuillier at the 2016 PaleyFest New York screening of “Elementary” at the Paley Center for Media in New York City on October 8, 2016 (Credit: Dennis Van Tine / FutureImage / WENN)
For the occasion, Liu chose a scarlet lace mini dress by Monique Lhuillier, a romantic yet structured piece that showed off her toned legs and timeless poise.
She accessorized with a glittering Jimmy Choo clutch, Pasquale Bruni jewelry, and Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, proving once again her mastery of sleek, feminine styling with just the right dose of sparkle.
👠 Explore Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” Moments:
- 📏 The Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” Sandals — a deep-dive into the minimalist design that became a red-carpet staple.
- 👗 Julianne Hough’s Dazzling ‘Nudist’ Sandals Moment — how she elevated a playful look with Weitzman’s sleek silhouette.
- ✨ Bella Thorne and Jennifer Garner in Stuart Weitzman Heels — two generations of Hollywood style united by one iconic sandal.
- 🎤 Camilla Belle’s Ferrari-Red Dress & ‘Nudist’ Sandals — proof that understated heels can anchor a bold statement look.
Shop the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals on Amazon, Nordstrom, and Zappos.
Lucy Liu’s black-polished toes peek out from glittering ankle-strap sandals, her fresh pedicure adding a touch of edge to the red-carpet sparkle
The look leaned toward classic rather than daring, but Liu’s radiant skin, glossy waves, and signature composure carried it effortlessly.
Her polished presence at PaleyFest underscored why she remained one of television’s most stylish leading women—and she captured the moment perfectly on social media, captioning a cast photo with a wink to her fans: “Proud to be with my WERK squad.”
Lucy Liu turns heads in a strapless red lace Monique Lhuillier dress, styled with glittering Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals and a gold clutch at PaleyFest New York
Even among Hollywood’s most glamorous stars, Lucy Liu’s petite 5′1½″ frame places her in elite company with other stylish women who use footwear to command the spotlight. From classic pumps to daring platforms, these stars prove that height has never been a limit when it comes to red-carpet impact and shoe confidence.
Famous Petite Celebrities Who Stand Tall in Heels
👠 Explore Petite Celeb Shoe Moments (~5′1″ Frames):
- 📏 “Petite but Powerful: 35 of Hollywood’s Shortest Celebrities” — features a range of celebrities including those at ~5′1″ and their shoe style solutions.
- 📏 “Eva Longoria’s Height & Heels” — focusing on how she elevates her 5′½″ frame with designer footwear.
- 📏 “Sarah Hyland’s Best High-Heel Moments: How She Rocks 5′1″ With Style” — a case-study in how a 5′1″ frame uses heels for elongation and red-carpet impact.
- 📏 “Nicole Richie: Height and Heels” — explores how the 5′1″ star uses footwear to elevate her style, with brand references.
- 📏 “Lucy Hale Uses Heels to Flaunt Her Petite 5′1″…” — highlights the 5′1″ actress and her heel-choices on and off the red carpet.