Red carpet fashion has never been just about the gowns. Some celebrities take things to the next level, turning their shoes into jaw-dropping, gravity-defying, or straight-up bizarre works of art. From sky-high platforms to literal bird feet, these shoes weren’t just footwear—they were statements.
Over the years, we’ve seen heels that glow, boots covered in teddy bears, and shoes so sculptural they look like they belong in a museum. Some of these pairs were high fashion masterpieces, others were pure chaos, but they all had one thing in common: you couldn’t look away.
So, let’s relive the madness. Here are 15 of the most insanely over-the-top shoes ever worn on the red carpet, ranked from mildly daring to completely unhinged.
15. Blake Lively’s Christian Louboutin Crystal-Embellished Pumps (2018 Met Gala)

Mildly daring, but majorly glamorous. Blake Lively never misses, and her custom red Louboutins for the Heavenly Bodies Met Gala were pure opulence. Covered in intricate gold embroidery and sparkling crystals, these regal heels were the perfect match for her elaborate Versace gown. Classic, but next-level elegant.
14. Lady Gaga’s Metallic Armadillo Boots (2022 House of Gucci Premiere)

When Gaga goes Gaga, fashion history is made. She stepped out in sculptural metallic platform boots that felt like a futuristic spin on McQueen’s infamous armadillo heels (more on those later). The bold, silver design gave intergalactic queen vibes—surprisingly sleek but totally eye-catching.
13. Zendaya’s Glow-in-the-Dark Heels (2019 Met Gala)

Zendaya literally lit up the Met Gala with her glow-in-the-dark Cinderella heels designed by Tommy Hilfiger. The entire moment was a fashion performance—her stylist Law Roach even waved a wand as her dress illuminated. The shoes added the perfect final touch to her modern fairy-tale transformation.
12. Tilda Swinton’s Gold Sculptural Heels (2018 Cannes Film Festival)

Tilda is known for her avant-garde fashion, and she delivered at Cannes in custom sculptural gold heels that looked more like wearable art than footwear. Designed by Haider Ackermann, the heels had an architectural, fluid shape—minimalist yet completely mesmerizing.
11. Rihanna’s Guo Pei Platform Shoes (2015 Met Gala)

Rihanna didn’t just show up to the 2015 Met Gala—she shut it down. Her golden Guo Pei couture robe (aka the “omelet dress”) was already legendary, but her sky-high embroidered platform shoes sealed the deal. The massive, gilded platforms added even more regal energy to an already show-stopping look.
Walking in them? A feat only Rih could pull off with flawless confidence.
10. Celine Dion’s Diamond-Covered Heels (2017 Billboard Music Awards)

Celine Dion has always been a queen of drama, and her 2017 Billboard Music Awards ensemble was no exception. While performing “My Heart Will Go On,” she wore custom crystal-covered heels that perfectly matched her sculptural white gown. The shoes were so dazzling they almost stole the show from her iconic voice—proving that Celine can serve both legendary vocals and legendary fashion at the same time.
9. Nicki Minaj’s Teddy Bear Platform Boots (2011 MTV VMAs)

Nicki never played it safe in the early 2010s, and these insane Harajuku-inspired platform boots proved it. Featuring actual stuffed animals sewn onto the shoes, this look was straight out of an anime fever dream. It was chaotic, over-the-top, and perfectly Nicki Minaj.
8. Beyoncé’s Bejeweled Giuseppe Zanotti Heels (2015 Met Gala)

Beyoncé knows how to make an entrance, and her 2015 Met Gala look was nothing short of iconic. She arrived fashionably late in a sheer, jewel-encrusted Givenchy gown, but it was her matching bejeweled Giuseppe Zanotti heels that completed the dazzling effect.
The heels sparkled as she walked, proving that when Beyoncé steps onto a red carpet, every detail—including her shoes—is pure perfection.
7. Doja Cat’s Red Latex Toe Boots (2023 Paris Fashion Week)

Doja went full alien-meets-high-fashion in Paris, wearing bright red latex boots that molded to her toes. The shoes were more body horror than traditional fashion, and yet, they fit right into her boundary-pushing aesthetic. People were divided, but you can’t deny they were unforgettable.
6. Cardi B’s Pearl-Encrusted Heels (2019 Grammy Awards)

Cardi B never does red carpet fashion halfway, and her 2019 Grammys look was proof. She arrived in a show-stopping vintage Mugler gown, inspired by Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, complete with matching pearl-encrusted heels that looked straight out of a fairy tale.
The delicate, seashell-like design of the shoes added to the overall drama, making her look like an actual work of art.
5. Madonna’s Lace-Up Cage Heels (2016 Met Gala)

Madonna’s extreme lace-up, thigh-high cage boots had dominatrix-meets-medieval-armor energy. Paired with her sheer Givenchy look, these towering heels were the definition of bold, making her red carpet moment one of the night’s most talked about.
4. Janelle Monáe’s Bejeweled Platform Heels (2023 Met Gala)

Janelle Monáe always brings drama to the Met Gala, and her 2023 Karl Lagerfeld-themed look was no exception. She layered up with multiple outfit reveals, but it was her sky-high, bejeweled platform heels that stole the show.
The towering platforms, designed by Christian Louboutin, added the perfect amount of theatrical flair to her sculptural Thom Browne ensemble. Balancing fashion and fun, her shoes were the definition of over-the-top fabulous.
3. Billy Porter’s 10-Inch Gold Platform Boots (2019 Met Gala)

Billy Porter doesn’t just walk the red carpet—he makes a grand entrance. At the 2019 Met Gala, he arrived in full-on Egyptian sun god realness, carried in on a golden litter by six men. But the real showstopper? His custom 10-inch gold platform boots by Giuseppe Zanotti.
These towering metallic heels completed his dazzling winged jumpsuit, proving that Porter is the king of red carpet theatrics.
2. Zendaya’s Armor-Like Chainmail Heels (2018 Met Gala)

Zendaya is no stranger to show-stopping red carpet moments, and her 2018 Met Gala look was nothing short of legendary. Channeling Joan of Arc, she wore a custom Versace chainmail gown, but it was her fierce, metallic gladiator-style heels that sealed the look.
The armor-inspired stilettos featured intricate straps and bold metallic detailing, making her look like a literal warrior walking into battle. Powerful, dramatic, and absolutely unforgettable—this was red carpet footwear at its finest.
1. Lady Gaga’s Alexander McQueen Armadillo Heels (2010 MTV VMAs)

The ultimate red carpet shoe moment of all time. Lady Gaga solidified her status as a fashion legend when she stepped out in Alexander McQueen’s Armadillo boots—a shoe so extreme that most people wouldn’t even attempt to wear them.
The 10-inch, curved design was straight out of a sci-fi film, and yet, Gaga strutted like they were sneakers. This wasn’t just a red carpet moment—it was fashion history.