‘The Hunger Games’ Star Mckenna Grace Shines in Butterfly Corset Gown at Newport Beach

Laura Bais
Mckenna Grace
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Film festival carpets are typically filled with tuxedos and cocktail dresses, but the Newport Beach Film Festival offers a unique waterfront backdrop. With yachts bobbing in the harbor and sunlight reflecting off the sand, the event feels more like a coastal brunch than a formal awards night. This relaxed atmosphere provided a perfect stage for one young star.

The 27th annual festival runs from October 15 to 22, showcasing over 100 feature films from around the globe. The Festival Honors event took place on Sunday, October 18, at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, alongside Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch. The ceremony was filmed for broadcast on PBS SoCal during the awards voting window in January.

Among the honorees was Mckenna Grace, who received the Spotlight Award, and she arrived in a gown that perfectly matched the occasion. The ‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ star donned a stunning black strapless gown adorned with butterflies, creating one of the most memorable moments of the night against the marina backdrop.

The gown, designed by Nicole + Felicia, features a sheer, corset-style bodice that showcases the boning through the fabric. Instead of conventional embellishments, the entire gown is covered in 3D lace butterflies in black and silver-white, scattered across the bodice and flowing over a full tulle skirt.

The skirt boasts a high-low design, longer at the back, and it floats gracefully with each movement. Grace kept her styling simple, wearing her blonde hair in a center part, complemented by diamond stud earrings, black pointed pumps, and pale pink nails.

The gown exudes a romantic vibe without being overly sweet. The black base grounds the look, while the silvery butterflies catch the sunlight, adding a sense of movement. This ensemble was perfectly suited to the setting, standing out against the blue water and white boats behind her.

Grace has become a familiar face on red carpets over the past year, with fashion writers noting that this look aligns with the darker mood of the black strapless gown she wore at the ‘Scream 7’ premiere. However, the butterfly details give it a unique personality, making it a fitting choice for an honoree recognized for her rising career.

The Spotlight Award adds to a long list of accomplishments for the 20-year-old actress. She made Emmy history as the youngest nominee in the Guest Actress category for her role as Esther Keyes in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ Grace first gained widespread attention in Marc Webb’s ‘Gifted,’ earning a Critics Choice nomination, followed by notable roles in ‘I, Tonya,’ ‘Captain Marvel,’ ‘Annabelle Comes Home,’ and ‘Troop Zero.’

On television, she starred in Peacock’s ‘A Friend of the Family’ and ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ and had a recurring role on ‘Young Sheldon.’ The festival recognized her as one of the most accomplished young actors of her generation, just as her biggest franchise role is set to hit theaters.

‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ is set to open on November 20, returning to Panem 24 years before the original films. The story follows the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell, where Haymitch forms an alliance with Grace’s character, Maysilee Donner, inside the arena. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Joseph Zada as Haymitch.

Grace has been busy with press, kicking off the international tour in Sydney wearing a House of Giles gown, Annabel Chan jewels, and Jimmy Choo shoes, posing with the Sydney Opera House in the background. Her appearance at Newport Beach followed just days later.

Her look for the movie has its own style narrative. In an interview with E! News, Grace revealed that Maysilee’s costumes were heavily influenced by Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks. “There was Stevie Nicks,” she mentioned regarding the mood boards. “It was very ’60s, ’70s-inspired.”

However, she humorously noted that she wasn’t fond of the oversized capes tributes wear in the arena, joking, “My knees were purple because of those capes.” Grace also mentioned that she fought for small details that mattered to her, such as Maysilee’s braid, her pins, and her love of coffee and good manners.

The Newport Beach honor positions Grace in the awards-season conversation as the film’s release approaches. With the ‘Hunger Games’ franchise gearing up, fans can expect more red carpets and stunning gowns leading up to November 20. If this butterfly look is any indication, she is more than ready.

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