Emily Ratajkowski made a statement at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with more than just her outfit. The 35-year-old model shared a behind-the-scenes look at the event on her Instagram, starting with a photo of herself in a striking red-and-black dress with dramatic open sides.
The ensemble was not the only thing that drew attention. In a close-up image, Ratajkowski playfully stuck out her tongue, showing off her manicure that featured the initials “RG,” which matched those of her boyfriend, French filmmaker Romain Gavras. Her guest pass further connected her to Gavras, listing her as “Romain Plus One.”
“Went to the VMAs as a @romaingavras @surkin @yunglean2001 groupie and had the best time,” Ratajkowski captioned her Instagram post.
Ratajkowski shared additional photos, posing between production trailers in the same dress, now paired with dark sunglasses and a small black bag. Her Instagram followers quickly reacted to her look. One person commented on the dress’s subtle cutout, while others noted her connections to tagged artists and directors.
Gavras attended the awards as a recognized filmmaker. His direction of GENER8ION’s “STORM starring Yung Lean” earned a nomination for Video of the Year and Gavras himself received a nomination for Best Direction. The video also garnered a nomination for Best Choreography.
Inside the Peacock Theater, Ratajkowski was seen supporting Gavras as he celebrated his nominations. Her manicure offered another personal touch with a design linking to his movie “Sacrifice.” This public display comes weeks after the couple was photographed together in Rome.
Ratajkowski and Gavras started gaining attention in November 2025, with their relationship made Instagram official in February. Ratajkowski has shared insights into her new dating approach following her divorce from Sebastian Bear-McClard, focusing more on her preferences.
Gavras has a rich history in filmmaking, directing music videos for artists like M.I.A., Jamie xx, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. His film work includes “Athena” and “Sacrifice,” following the footsteps of his father, renowned filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Prior to Ratajkowski, Gavras was linked with singer Dua Lipa in 2023.