Christina Applegate’s stylist is singing her praises after helping her prepare for her show-stopping appearance on Monday night at the 2024 Emmy Awards.
The 52-year-old Dead To Me star brought the audience to its feet when she walked on stage in a gorgeous red velvet dress.
The actress had host Anthony Anderson on her arm, and she brought along a cane to help steady herself as she deals with the physical symptoms of her 2021 multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
The in-demand celebrity stylist Adir Abergel helped Christina achieve her glamorous awards-show look, and he gushed to People on Tuesday that he was amazed at how his client ‘still gives so much despite her current health struggles.
Abergel shared how he worked with fashion designer Christian Siriano — who created Christina’s elegant outfit — to get her ready for her big appearance.
‘Getting ready for big events can be overwhelming. I focused on being present and enjoyed every moment together,’ said the stylist, who was also joined at the prep session by Christina’s makeup artist Simone Siegl and her stylist Lindsay Flores.
He noted that he perfected Christina’s hair at her home before the ceremony, but he also accompanied her backstage for last-minute tweaks.
‘We were having fun!’ he said of the evening. ‘Christina and I have been friends for a long time and she is someone that I love deeply.’
Abergel added: ‘Showing up for her on that night was very important to me.’
He explained that Siriano’s timeless dress inspired him to turn to another classic style icon to create the ‘sleek and shiny Veronica Lake–inspired hair moment.’
Like the 1940s film star, Christina wore her long blonde locks swept to the side and dramatically resting over her shoulder, though Abergel didn’t create as dramatic a peekaboo effect as Lake is known for.
Despite the importance of Christina’s appearance at the awards show, she and her style team managed to keep their session relaxed.
‘We were chilling, laughing and watching Real Housewives Of New York,’ Abergel revealed. ‘It was like catching up with my best friend.’
He went on to describe Christina as ‘iconic.’
‘I just think about the immense contributions she has given us throughout the years, and how she still gives so much!’ he gushed. ‘Her career, her work ethics inspire me deeply.’
Over on Instagram, he shared some photos of Christina at home in her lovely look before she departed for the Emmys.
‘My dear friend, the beautiful Christina Applegate today for The Emmys. Was certainly a day to remember…’ he captioned the photos while adding a black heart emoji at the end.
Christian Siriano also shared a behind-the-scenes clip of a glamorous photoshoot Christina did at the home’s exterior.
‘Oh Christina you are divine and I will dress you any day of the week! What a woman,’ he enthused in his caption.
‘Let me tell you MS is a nasty disease and this beauty is so strong and just inspiring,’ he wrote in another post while sharing his amazement at her determination.
Christina’s appearance on Monday night was a triumphant return to public life for the actress, as she hasn’t been featured on an awards-show red carpet since the SAG Awards in February of last year, though she has made smaller public appearances since then.
As of a Vanity Fair interview from May of last year, Christina has said she is functionally retired from acting.
‘I’m probably not going to work on-camera again,’ she said, attributing the decision to the physical problems arising from her MS, although she did leave open the possibility of continuing to do voiceover work.
However, it’s unclear if her return to the stage at the Emmys could signal a change of heart.
Christina was diagnosed with MS in August of 2021, during the filming of the third and final season of her Netflix series Dead To Me, which also stars Linda Cardellini and James Marsden.
She revealed that the condition made it difficult for her to walk without a cane, and the mobility challenges contributed to her gaining 40 pounds shortly after the flair up, though medications she was taking also influenced the weight gain.
During her acclaimed Emmys appearance, Christina joked about her standing ovation.
‘Thank you so much. Oh my God, you’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up,’ she joked, before adding, ‘It’s fine.’
She got another set of laughs when she joked: ‘Body not by Ozempic.’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
