Impressive Female Athletes Who Also Rock The Red Carpet
Female athletes get a chance to show a different side of themselves on the red carpet. Outside of the arena, field, or mountain, they can pose and let loose on the red carpet. When we see these athletes out of uniform, we can catch glimpses of their other extraordinary achievements, such as the undefeated boxer who's now writing a cookbook. Their talents and beauty transcend the gym. Check out these women athletes burning up the red carpet, and learn about what they've achieved inside and outside their sport.
Five-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin Dazzles As A Covergirl
Russian American Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin has frequented both the fashion and sports scenes since her retirement in 2012. She's been a favorite at the ESPY Awards since 2009 and made an equally glamorous 2018 appearance.
With nine World Championship medals in gymnastics, Liukin ties with Shannon Miller as the third-highest performing gymnast in the world. She's also one of the first female athletes to be signed on as a Covergirl spokesmodel, and she owns her own line of gym equipment produced by American Athlete, Inc.
Undefeated Boxer Laila Ali Is Stunning
Daughter of the world famous Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali remained undefeated during her eight-year boxing career. She held the IWBF heavyweight title and the WIBA, WBC, IBA, and IWBF super middleweight titles. And of course, she's walked the red carpets at the ESPY and ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards.
After 24 straight wins, Ali retired in 2007. Since then, she has acted in several T.V. shows and workout tapes and is a self-taught cook. She's currently working on her own cookbook, Food for Life.
Grand Slam Tennis Player Maria Sharapova Is A Red Carpet Ace
In February 2019, five-time Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova lit up the Oscars red carpet. She got to show off at two different red carpets, the first one for the Elton John AIDs Foundation and Academy Awards viewing party, and the second for the Oscars.
Sharapova has also modeled in ads for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Nike, Canon, and Prince. In 2012, when she won Olympic silver, she ranked third in the world's top tennis player rankings. Currently, she holds ranked at 29. She's still hitting the court as well, having recently competed at the Shenzhen Open until she suffered an injury.
Tennis Player Caroline Wozniacki Is Number One
Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has ranked number one on the WTA Tour, ever since she won the Grand Slam title at the 2018 Australia Open. She formerly ranked No. 1 in singles for 67 straight weeks between 2010 and 2012. No wonder she got an invite to the 2018 ESPYs and Hamptons Magazine Cover Party.
Wozniacki began playing pro tennis in 2005 when she was just 15 years old. At age 26, she already held 25 WTA Tour titles. She has attended several different fashion shows and modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in both 2015 and 2016.
Ronda Rousey Is A Star
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey used to being the fiercest woman walking the streets. Beating opponents in mere seconds is the stuff of legend. After falling out of the UFC world, she entered WWE and looked to bring mayhem in that ring as well.
Rousey doesn't sit still much. When she isn't fighting, she's probably working on a movie. There really isn't anything she can't do. Looking sensational on the red carpet is just one of her many talents.
MMA Mixed Martial Artist Anastasia Yankova Is A True Warrior Princess
Anastasia Yankova poses a serious threat in the MMA Bellator Flyweight division. She also kicks butt on the red carpet. She entered the 2016 Guys Choice Red Carpet with a fashion sense as stunning as her fighting prowess.
Yankova officially entered the arena in 2016 in Torino, Italy. At age 14, she began learning karate after her fascination with Xena: Warrior Princess. So far, she's won 80% of her kickboxing fights and 83% of her mixed martial arts competitions.
Wrestler And Television Star Barbara Blank Is Always Fabulous
Wrestling fans might know Barbara Blank by her stage name, Kelly Kelly. Or, you could know her from her T.V. roles, most notably playing herself in WAGs. She's walked down several red carpets, such as the Maxim Hot 100 Party, WWE Art & Fashion Show, and the OK! So Sexy LA event.
Blank started with a background in cheerleading and gymnastics before signing onto the WWE in 2006. Her initial wrestling career did not go well, but eventually, she won the WWE Diva Championship in 2011. Since she left WWE in 2012, she has returned for fashion events and occasional wrestling appearances.
Professional Surfer And Model Anastasia Ashley Is A Winner
You may have seen professional surfer Anastasia Ashley in magazines such as Maxim and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. No wonder she got invited to the ESPYs in 2012 and 2015. Ashley won her first national surfing title at age 16 and later won two titles in the National Scholastic Surfing Association championships.
Along with her many surfing awards, Ashley has appeared on a couple of T.V. shows including Stewarts & Hamiltons and Hell's Kitchen. She runs her own jewelry line, Gypsy Set Jewelry, and is a vegetarian who modeled in ads for PETA in 2006.
Gymnastics Queen Simone Biles
After Simone Biles competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the whole world came to know her name. She completely dominated the field on her way to taking home plenty of gold medals and instantly became a superstar.
Superstars dress a certain way, and Biles nails her red carpet wardrobe decisions. In this photo, she's wearing a fun pink cocktail dress that expresses her softer side while also showing her strength at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards.
Superstar Tennis Champion Anna Kournikova Is A Red Carpet Staple
At one time, Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova was one of the most common search strings on Google. So it's no surprise that she's made appearances on the VMAs, MTV Video Music Awards, BAFTA Brits to Watch, and REGARD Magazine red carpets.
Kournikova ranked as the No. 1 player in doubles, where she and her partner Martina Hingis won two Grand Slam titles and the WTA Championships in 1999 and 2000. She retired at age 21 due to spinal injuries but reunited with Hingis to play again in 2010. She's been with Enrique Iglesias for over ten years, and they have twin children.
Olympic Gold Medal Snowboarder Silje Norendal Shreds Our Hearts
Norwegian snowboarder Silje Norendal has won five gold medals in the Winter Olympics, Winter X Games, and Winter X Games Europe from 2013 to 2017. She has modeled for Cosmo and Nike and attended their red carpets.
Norendal started snowboarding at just four years old and specializes in the halfpipe, slopestyle, and boardercross. She continues to snowboard today, and her Instagram has garnered over 337,000 followers.
Professional Grappler And Model Miesha Tate Has Us Knocked Out
Miesha Tate is a mixed martial artist and MMA wrestler most praised for her grappling ability. On top of her fighting career, she also modeled for several magazines including Fitness Gurls and ESPN The Magazine. You may have seen her stunning outfits on the red carpet of the MMA Awards and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.
Tate won the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship in 2011 and also has a silver medal from the FILA Grappling Championships. Fitness Gurls magazine called Tate "the most beautiful woman in MMA." You can also play Tate as a character in the video game EA Sports UFC.
World Golf Champion Paula Creamer Is The "Pink Panther"
Since starting her professional golf career in 2004, Paula Creamer has reached number two in the Women's World Golf Rankings. And she's also made heads turn at the ESPYs for several years. Fans sometimes call her "The Pink Panther."
In total, Creamer has won 12 tournaments, including 10 LPGA tournaments, making her LPGA's second-youngest winner. During her off time, she's helped out junior golfers through The First Tee charity and hosting the Paula 4 Kids Celebrity Event.
Artistic Gymnastics Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas Is A Star
Gabby Douglas showed off her skills in "Fierce Five" gymnastics group that won Olympic gold in Summer 2012 and 2016. She got two more gold medals in the 2011 and 2015 World Championships. No wonder she looked so fit on the red carpets of 2013 Teen Choice Awards and 2017 Miss America.
Douglas is the first person of African descent to become an individual all-around champion. She has written two books and a biopic film about her life. You can watch Douglas in her own reality T.V. series, Douglas Family Gold.
Danica Patrick Rocks a Mini Dress at the 2013 Espy Awards
Danica Patrick has worn many incredible looks on the red carpet throughout her driving career. To the 2013 Espy Awards, Patrick wore a stunning black Badgley Mischka mini dress. The mini dress featured gold beaded embroidery on the top and a short cut, falling above the knees.
The star athlete paired the look with gold sandal and simple but elegant hair and makeup. 2013 was a big year for Patrick, as she became the first woman to win a Cup Series pole position, setting the fastest qualifying lap for the 2013 Daytona 500. She finished eighth overall.
Professional Golfer Paige Spiranac Is A Champion
Professional golfer Paige Spiranac hit both the 2018 ESPYs red carpet and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit red carpet in the same year. Spiranac has played for both the University of Arizona and San Diego State University, where she led the Aztecs to their first-ever Mountain West Conference Championship in 2014.
In 2015, Spiranac entered the professional golf scene. You may have seen her in commercials for Parsons Xtreme Golf and 18Birdies. In 2017, she also became an ambassador for Cybersmile Foundation, a non-profit that combats cyber-bullying.
World Champion Bobsledder And Hurdler Lola Jones Is Dangerous
World Athletics Final champion Lola Jones hurtled into acting and modeling almost as fast as her sled did. She's shown off her style at many ESPYs red carpets and has posed for both ESPN the Magazine and Outside magazine.
She currently holds the American record for 60-meter hurdles at 7.72 seconds. Jones is also one of the few athletes who has represented the U.S. in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. She has also acted in Celebrity Big Brother and Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Olympic Gold Medalist Softball Pitcher Jennie Finch Strikes Out The Competition
Called the most famous softball player in history by Time magazine, Jennie Finch helped her team win gold in the 2004 Summer Olympics and then silver in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Off the diamond, fans always go wild when she walks down the red carpet during the ESPYs, which she's done for years.
Finch retired from pitching in 2010, but that didn't end her softball career. She started working as a color commentator for National Pro Fastpitch on ESPN in 2011. She is also featured in the USA Softball Hall of Fame.
Motor Racing Driver Carmen Jordá Slows Down On The Red Carpet
Spanish racecar driver Carmen Jordá has worked as a development driver for the Lotus and Renault Sport Formula One team--the eleventh woman ever to join the line-up. She slowed down to walk along the red carpets of the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards, Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, and 2015 BT Sport Industry Awards.
Jordá switched from test driving to racing around 2012, when she karted in the Spanish Formula 3. She later raced in GP3 and Formula 1. Off the track, she works on the board of the FIA's Women in Motorsport commission.
Figure-Skating Olympic Champion Ashley Wagner Is Pure Gold
Ashley Wagner is a U.S. figure skater, 2014 Olympic bronze medalist, 2016 World silver medalist, 2012 Four Continents champion, and three-time Grand Prix Final medalist. With this many awards, it's no wonder that Wagner attended the Hayley Paige, 2016 TCC, Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards, and Academy Awards red carpets.
Wagner still skates today. Her more recent competitions include the 2018 U.S. Championships where she ranked second and the GP Skate Canada where she ranked third.
World Cup Winning Soccer Player Alex Morgan Is Endearing
Alex Morgan is a forward in the National Women's Soccer League and plays for the U.S. National Team. She won an Olympic gold medal and the FIFA Women's World Cup Championship while being the youngest player on the team. You can see her at red carpet shoots such as the TIME 100 Gala and ESPYs.
Morgan has even published a middle school book series about young school players published by Simon & Schuster. She's also played a fictional version of herself in Alex & Me. She's made endorsements with Nika, AT&T, Ubisoft, McDonald's, Chobani, and Coca-Cola.
Track And Field Gold Medalist Queen Harrison Runs The Red Carpet
Queen Harrison is a sprinter, long jumper, triple jumper, and hurdler, best known for her gold medals in 100 m and 400 m hurdles along with one silver in 100 m. Off the track, she slowed down to a walk for the red carpets of USATF Hall of Fame Gala, ESPYs, Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards, and Bowerman Red Carpet Show.
In 2010, Harrison became the first women to win both the 100 m hurdles and 400 m hurdles in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Her victories in 2007 and 2009 make her a three-time national champion at Virginia Teach, where she attended college.
Javelin-Throwing Model Leryn Franco Hits The Bullseye
Paraguayan athlete Leryn Franco competed in javelin throwing in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. Nowadays, she works on her modeling and pageantry career. In 2006, she won runner-up in the Miss Universo Paraguay pageant. She modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and her own calendar, which Martin Crespo shot in 2007.
In 2012, Franco threw the new national record and her personal best in the Ibero-American Championships in Athletics, where her javelin reached 57.77 m (190 ft). In 2013, she acted in the Irish film Eliza Lynch: Queen of Paraguay in the role of younger Eliza Lynch.
Serena Williams Is A Force Of Nature
Serena Williams has been the face of women tennis for quite some time now. Some male players even consider her the best of all-time across both genders. She's not one you want to be facing in the opening round.
When it comes to getting dressed up, well, she's not so bad at that either. She's worn the same styles as the royal family before and whenever she steps onto the red carpet, you can expect that she will turn heads.
Skylar Diggins Shines
As far as basketball players go, Skylar Diggins is one of the best. She entered the WNBA in 2013 after becoming the number three pick overall. Her career began in Tulsa with the Shocks, but now she scores for the Dallas Wings.
Red carpet walks for Diggins are always a great scene. You can definitely expect her to dress her best. If you're used to seeing her break a sweat on the court, witnessing her grace the carpet is a nice change of pace.
Lindsey Vonn Gets Flashy
The alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn is no stranger to red carpets. She's won so many awards and been to a ton of events, so we're guessing that she has at least dozens of different outfits for occasions like this.
Here, she's arriving for the premiere of Jurassic World and has on a snakeskin dress. Not only does she look stunning wearing it, but she's keeping up with the theme of the movie as well. Did her stylist come up with that or was it an original idea? Clever.
Candace Parker Is A Bright Shining Star
There was a time in the WNBA when Candace Parker was a force of nature. She was often considered the best in the game. Going to award ceremonies comes with the expectation of being great, and she always comes through.
Parker has had the chance to sport so many gorgeous outfits and become a true glam queen. The two-time WNBA MVP also could be a red carpet MVP if there was a trophy for that. We would love to give her one anyway.
Step Your Game Up Around Torrie Wilson
When it comes to wrestlers, Torrie Wilson knows how to put on a show. The wrestler is a model, fitness competitor, and an actress. Being a model means she loves walking the carpet and showing off her style.
This golden outfit Wilson has on in the photo is stunning. Who knew someone could make a romper look so great? Not only could you wear this on the red carpet, but you could easily sport it during a night out with friends.
Tennis Star Heather Watson
Plenty of the outfits these ladies have on can cause a stir and a ton of "ooohs" and "ahhs." This green latex-looking outfit Heather Watson has on certainly might have caused some big reactions.
The mixed doubles champion and former British number one player clearly doesn't care that rubber might be uncomfortable. She also brought along an umbrella for an added accessory. All that matters is that she looks happy wearing this and she makes it look good.
Golf Sensation Chelsea Pezzola
Chelsea Pezzola makes golfing look good. Not to say others don't or can't, but Pezzola does it effortlessly. According to her Instagram, she's not only a golfer but she's also a fitness model, media personality, and editor for Jetset Magazine.
How does she have time for all that and still manage to look so awe-inspiring at the ESPYs? Here she's wearing a creamy lace piece with a slit going all the way down the leg. Not everyone can pull this look off the way she does.
Track Star Allyson Felix
One of the most humble and hard-working athletes out there is the incomparable Allyson Felix. The track and field Olympian competes in the 100, 200, and 400-meter races. She's a three-time world champion and two-time silver Olympic medalist.
She's made her rounds on the tracks and on the red carpets. Just as she prepares vigorously for competition, she doesn't slack when it comes to putting on a dazzling outfit and looking like a supermodel.
Stacy Keibler Knows How To Dress
Another wrestler knows how to step up to the plate and her name is Stacy Keibler. She easily makes jaws drop whenever she sets foot on a red carpet. She also is a formidable opponent in the wrestling ring even though she hasn't fought in a while.
These days she's more of a model and dancer (she competed on Dancing with the Stars). In this picture, she's wearing a knee-length, violet skin tight dress. The cameras couldn't stop snapping pictures at this QVC event.
Romping Around With McKayla Maroney
One can never go wrong with a glammed-up romper on the red carpet. McKayla Maroney is a former gymnast who has snagged multiple gold medals, and she also made headlines at the Olympics when she made "the face."
In this photo, Maroney sports messy pigtails with the rose gold-toned romper. She almost makes it look effortless or as if this is everyday attire for her. If it is, more power to the young lady. We only request that she continues to stun on the red carpet.
Wrapped In Red With A Black Bow
The first face of lady racers has to be the legendary Danica Patrick. In 2013, she became the first woman in Sprint Cup history to race full-time which is a big deal. She has the skills and the looks to match.
The outfit she's wearing here at the ESPYs is certainly a marvel. The form-fitting ruby red satin dress with a black lace trim looks like something she would wear for a big date night.
MMA Never Looked So Good
For quite some time, Gina Carano was to be the face of Mixed Martial Arts. She enjoyed the spotlight for a nice amount of time and made sure she looked stunning all the while.
Here she is at the 18th Annual Critics' Choice awards, wearing a sky blue dress that reached the floor. It almost makes her look like a Disney princess and she probably wouldn't mind that comparison. Who doesn't love Disney?!
Who Is Cooler Than Osaka Naomi?
The number-one ranked player Osaka Naomi made a splash in 2018 when she defeated Serena Williams on one of the biggest stages in tennis. There's no doubt she's worked hard to get in the position she's in, and she aced it!
Keeping things casual, simple, and cute, Naomi wears this flattering yellow sleeveless dress paired with some long gold hoop earrings. The giant trophy certainly makes an eye-catching accessory with this ensemble!
All White For Urszula Radwanska
Urszula Radwanska is a Polish tennis player who has a few doubles and singles titles under her belt, so you know she's no slouch on the court. Still in her late twenties, she has many years left to dominate on the court.
Her comfort zone might be the tennis court, but she looks like she should be on a runway with this outfit on. This could be her next path once she hangs up the racket for good.
Different Colors With Eugenie Bouchard
Is it just us, or do all tennis stars know how to work a red carpet? We know they can maneuver with a racket in their hands, sending balls flying at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
Here we see Eugenie Bouchard sporting a colorful and gorgeous dress that stops mid-way down her thigh. The Canadian star can wear whatever she likes and always makes it look like she's on a Vogue shoot.
Another Win For Gymnasts
Gymnast Aly Raisman played a critical role in helping Team USA secure gold at the Rio Olympics, but she also won an individual one on her own. That deserves some good old fashioned partying in a stunning dress.
At the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year event, she pulled off this futuristic, scale-and-sheer red dress. Raisman owns the daring yet flattering look with a confident smile that can melt hearts.
Surf's Up With Erica Hosseini
Surfing isn't a sport as popular as some of the others on this list, but that doesn't mean the athletes don't compete just as hard. You also shouldn't count them out when it comes to fashion sense. Just look at Erica Hosseini.
She arrived at the 6th Annual Billabong Design for Humanity Event looking like a surfing princess. The colorful leopard print with the black pencil skirt is a wonderful combination you don't really see that often on the red carpet.
Anyone Up For Speed Skating?
Olympic speed skating sometimes gets overlooked in comparison to other sports at the Olympics, but it's one of the most exhilarating activities to watch. And Allison Baver makes it look good.
In 2006, Baver had the number one ranking in the world. We're almost one hundred percent sure that she has no trouble charming everyone, especially dressed like this on the red carpet. The criss-cross number she is wearing looks great on her.
