Chrissy Metz: “The Red Carpet Changed How I Dress”

In the past year, Chrissy Metz has become a bona fide style icon in her own right, scoring high-fashion shoots in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and killing every red carpet look she steps out in.

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Up close and hilariously personal. Literally laughing so hard I cried! These two talented NY Gents are incredible (in record time) and always make me so happy! XO Makeup @billieegene Hair @marcmena #youhadtoseeittobelieveit

A post shared by Chrissy Metz (@chrissymetz) on Jul 25, 2017 at 2:13am PDT

The This Is Us star has become a red carpet fixture after the show’s first season exploded in popularity, skyrocketing her to fame, and finding the confidence to rock a sexy, form-fitting dress is new to her. In an interview with PEOPLE for their annual style issue, the actress says her newfound fame “transformed” how she dresses. “I never wore form-fitting dresses before,” Metz shared. “There are a lot of people who make you feel uncomfortable if you show a chubby stomach, arm, or leg. I was being educated, while becoming part of the conversation on size inclusivity.”

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This guy! This guy who doesn't have an Insta, who I instantly loved the moment we met at our very first #thisisus table read. I could gush for days about what a kind, incredible soul Chris is or explain just how talented he is, but you already knew that! So much gratitude for this guy. #chrissullivanistheish

A post shared by Chrissy Metz (@chrissymetz) on Dec 17, 2016 at 8:53am PST

With all that intense scrutiny, it’s not surprising that she’d worry about the reaction from critics, but Metz has learned how to embrace her status as a body positive influence. “When I started promoting This Is Us, I was worried about how things would photograph, but I slowly gained confidence. I love bold colors and prints now, like the floral gown I wore to the 2017 Critics’ Choice Awards,” she said. “Being a big girl, you want to hide sometimes, but with that dress, it was like ‘Boom! I’m here, in all my embroidered glory.'”

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Remember that time folks got rowdy because I wore a dress? The outpouring of love and support from all of you lovely people has not gone unnoticed. I hope that in some small way an unconventional body wearing an unconventional material opened up discussion, hearts and minds. I truly had no idea it would make anyone feel uncomfortable, I just wanted to try something different. All I'm saying, is do YOU, Boo! Wear what you want, love you love and treat people the way you want to be treated❤️ Now that's out of the way, congratulations to all the winners at the @MTV movie and tv awards, especially our boys @miloanthonyventimiglia and @lonniechavis for winning best tear jerker scene from @nbcthisisus! 🎉 Lastly, thank you to the amazing humans who make this all possible! Dress @janedoelatex Styled @jordan_grossman Makeup @makeupbymotoko Hair @davidgardnerla CC: @creativeprinc #nothingbutlove

A post shared by Chrissy Metz (@chrissymetz) on May 10, 2017 at 11:01pm PDT

The American Horror Story actress says one recent look in particular sparked a flurry of backlash: a red latex baby-doll dress to the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards. “People were up in arms: ‘There’s a big girl in latex!’ I was surprised, because it was a baby-doll silhouette I’d worn before, but everyone thought it was taboo,” Metz said, before admitting, “I showed a little more cleavage than usual.” In the end, she owned the look: “As people, we evolve, and so do our fashion choices.”

And thanks to her newfound confidence, Metz has become a vocal champion for body acceptance and body positivity.“I want to encourage women to enjoy what they’re wearing, as opposed to just finding a boring black dress that fits,” she says.

What do you think of Chrissy Metz’s red carpet style? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Frederick M. Brown/Getty)