Louisville, KY — May 2, 2026
By Prince | Published: May 3, 2026
The Kentucky Derby is never just about horses. Every year, Churchill Downs transforms into one of the most glamorous red carpets in sports — and the 152nd running of the race was absolutely no exception. Beneath bright lights and buzzing cameras, the red carpet at Derby 152 came alive on Saturday morning as a mix of glamour, tradition, and anticipation filled the air, with Hollywood A-listers, musicians, and elite athletes posing for the cameras just hours before the “most exciting two minutes in sports.”
From boy band legends to NFL stars, supermodels to soap opera icons, here is a complete look at everyone who made the 2026 Kentucky Derby red carpet utterly unforgettable.
👑 The Fashion Scene: Hats, Suits & Southern Swagger
The annual event is not just about the legendary two-minute horse race — it’s about the classic and colorful fashions on display at pre-parties and at the race itself. The 2026 Style Guide encouraged guests to treat the hat as the focal point of their entire outfit, and the celebrities certainly delivered.
🎤 Boy Band Royalty Reunites at Churchill Downs
The Derby had a distinctly nostalgic energy this year, with multiple boy band legends making appearances.
Joey Fatone of *NSYNC fame made it clear that attending the Derby is practically an annual ritual for him. “It’s the outfits, it’s the hats, it’s the camaraderie,” he said. “Louisville’s awesome. I pretty much come every year.”
Hot on his heels was Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys, who noted that this was roughly his seventh Derby over the past two decades.
Lance Bass of *NSYNC also joined the festivities, along with former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, who rocked the red carpet in his own signature style.
🎭 Hollywood Arrives in Full Force
Nicole Scherzinger, Anthony Ramos, Melissa Joan Hart, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Star Jones, Patti LaBelle, Gina Torres, and Danica McKellar were among the stars sporting their ornamental hats and springtime best at Churchill Downs.
Melissa Joan Hart and Danica McKellar — both icons of 90s television — attended together, both sporting sleeveless dresses with coordinating hats.
“Hamilton” star and Grammy Award winner Anthony Ramos also made a red carpet appearance. “Everyone comes here and they’re excited to be here,” Ramos told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Neil Patrick Harris arrived alongside his husband David Burtka and was widely regarded as one of the best-dressed attendees of the day:
— Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
🏈 Sports Stars Show Up and Show Out
The sports world was heavily represented at Derby 152, with some of the biggest names in football, basketball, and track & field making their presence felt.
Bill Belichick was spotted with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who posted a photo of the two of them walking on the dirt track at the Kentucky Oaks race the day prior, captioning it: “Not the first time we’ve trudged through the mud together.”
Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson walk the #KentuckyDerby red carpet — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/SInow/status/[tweet-id])
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart strutted across the red carpet with his girlfriend Marissa Ayers, dressed in a white striped suit complete with a white fedora. Sports Illustrated
.@JaxsonDart and Marissa Ayers break down their #KentuckyDerby fits 🔥 — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/SInow/status/[tweet-id])
Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski kept things more understated in a dark blue blazer and light chinos — though he was spotted showing off cash from inside his jacket, true to his high-roller reputation. Sports Illustrated
Rob Gronkowski pulls up to the Kentucky Derby ready to spend 💰 — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/[tweet-id])
Former WNBA star Sue Bird also walked the red carpet at Churchill Downs, turning heads with her Derby day look. Yahoo Sports
Sue Bird in her Derby day fit! 🔥 📺: The 152nd Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock — WNBA on NBC and Peacock (@WNBAonNBC) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/WNBAonNBC/status/[tweet-id])
Former NBA center Joakim Noah drew laughs and headlines simultaneously, arriving in a leather jacket over an NBA hoodie — and quipping: “Yesterday I was on a camel in Morocco and today I’m at the horse races.” Sports Illustrated
“Yesterday I was on a camel in Morocco and today I’m at the horse races.” – Joakim Noah 🤣 (legend) — Talia Baia (@taliaontv) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/taliaontv/status/[tweet-id])
👗 Best Dressed: The Standouts of Derby 152
Lolo Jones was one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the day. The Olympian dazzled in an ornate Alexander McQueen gown with a whimsical fascinator to top off her look. EntertainmentNow
Nate Burleson went boldly against Derby tradition. The CBS and NFL analyst chose a mint green-striped blazer with rose details paired with matching shorts — one of the more modern, polarizing Derby-inspired fits seen on the carpet. Sports Illustrated
What would you rate @nateburleson’s Kentucky Derby outfit 1-10? 😆 — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 2, 2026 (Embed: https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/[tweet-id])
Star Jones turned heads in a sweeping blue Derby hat that became one of the most photographed looks of the day. TV personality Star Jones looked stunning in her signature large blue Derby hat on the red carpet. WDRB
Cassandra Johnson, wife of former NBA star Avery Johnson, stood out with a floral crown and coordinated silk dress — continuing her reputation as a Derby fashion staple. EntertainmentNow
🎶 Music & Entertainment: Icons on the Infield
Legendary soul icon Chaka Khan waved to the crowd as she made her way down the red carpet, bringing a timeless elegance to the afternoon that drew cheers from onlookers. WDRB
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and his family also walked the red carpet, joined by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and his wife Rachel — a reminder that the Derby is as much a civic institution as it is a celebrity spectacle.
🌹 The Bottom Line
The 152nd Kentucky Derby red carpet proved once again why this event sits in a league of its own. It’s the rare occasion where an Olympian in Alexander McQueen stands next to an NFL quarterback in a white fedora, while a boy band legend sips a Mint Julep beside a Hollywood icon. The Kentucky Derby is not just about the legendary two-minute race — it is a celebration of American fashion, culture, and spectacle that has endured for over 150 years. EntertainmentNow
Whether you came for the horses, the hats, or the celebrities — Derby 152 delivered on every front.
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🏇 Tags: Kentucky Derby 2026, Kentucky Derby Red Carpet, Celebrity Fashion, Neil Patrick Harris, Rob Gronkowski, Bill Belichick, Lolo Jones, Chaka Khan, Joey Fatone, Derby 152