Emmys 2026: Live updates, winners, best moments

Mariska Hargitay opened up the Emmys on Monday night with a video introduction featuring Jalen Brunson, whom Hargitay cheered for this summer during the New York Knicks' championship run.

In the video, Hargitay opens up to Brunson about the pressure of opening the show, jokingly telling Brunson he wouldn't understand the feeling.

Hargitay then breaks into a rendition of "I Love Rock ’n’ Roll," shouting out some of the year's biggest shows.

Hargitay opened her subsequent monologue by noting she is the first woman to host the Emmy Awards solo in 15 years, touching on her long-running success on "Law & Order: SVU."

She also touched on the importance of storytelling, saying, "At the end of the day, we come to TV for magic -- to laugh, to cry, to care."

Nicole Kidman quickly butted in to call out Hargitay for stealing her lines from her famed AMC Theatres ad.

This year’s red carpet was buzzing with reunions even before the show began.

Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter posed together on the carpet, bringing back memories of their roles on "The Parent Trap."

Meanwhile, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz also posed together on the carpet ahead of their planned reunion as presenters at Monday's awards ceremony.

Zendaya stunned on the Emmys red carpet in a sparkling, bedazzled silver gown.

She is nominated for lead actress in a drama series for her role as Rue in “Euphoria,” which aired its final season earlier this year. Zendaya could set a record as the youngest actress to win three Emmys in the lead actress in a drama series category and for winning every single season of a show.

"Hacks" star Meg Stalter came dressed for the occasion -- literally.

The first-time Emmy nominee arrived on the red carpet dressed as the Emmy statuette, complete with wings and an atom to hold high.

Stalter, who is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, also wore gold body paint to complete the look.