Jennifer Hudson Turns Up the Volume in Blue Velvet Kilian Kerner at MusiCares’ Mariah Carey Tribute

Jennifer Hudson turned up the volume in blue velvet at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala honoring Mariah Carey in Los Angeles on Friday night, wearing a Kilian Kerner spring 2025 gown with an exaggerated textured coat.

Hudson’s dress came in deep blue velvet cut as a long-sleeved column dress that featured a close turtleneck, fitted bodice and straight skirt. An allover crystal embellishment added a dense, uniform sparkle across the surface, while a high slit on one side opened the skirt to the mid-thigh.

Over the gown, Hudson wore a maximal coat in a tonal mix of blues. The piece featured a high-pile, brushed texture arranged in short, layered strokes that ran across the surface in shifting shades from pale blue to navy. Oversized sleeves and a wide body created strong volume through the shoulders and sides, while an extended train trailed behind her.

Black pumps with a matte finish punctuated the look. Hudson added a soft gold manicure and small drop earrings, while blue-toned eye makeup and a neutral lip matched the palette of the dress.

Hudson’s appearance added another entry to a month of velvet-heavy red carpets. At the beginning of the year, Queen Mary of Denmark wore a deep blue velvet Jesper Høvring jacket and skirt set for a New Year’s Court event at Christiansborg Palace. Earlier this week, Elizabeth Debicki opted for a long-sleeved black velvet jumpsuit with matching velvet loafers during Armani’s haute couture presentations in Paris, and Margot Robbie wore a custom Schiaparelli gown that combined velvet tiers with satin for the Los Angeles premiere of “Wuthering Heights.”

MusiCares honored Carey as its 2026 Person of the Year during the annual fundraising gala, held two days before the Grammy Awards. The night featured performances from artists including Hudson, who sang “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and “Vision of Love,” alongside sets from Foo Fighters, Billy Porter, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Maggie Rogers and others in tribute to Carey’s catalog.