Ali Wong Used a Curling Iron on Her Jaw-Dropping Golden Globes Dress

Ali Wong’s look for the 2025 Golden Globes called for a creative solution to provide its finishing touches ahead of her big win for Ali Wong: Single Lady.

Ali Wong and her team had to come up with a creative solution to complete her 2025 Golden Globes look.

The comedian made a fashion statement at the awards show Jan. 5 in an eye-catching custom red Balenciaga gown paired with black boots and arm-length opera gloves. Even more surprising than her ensemble, though, was a tool used to complete the look.

Style correspondent Zanna Roberts Rassi shared a rundown on Wong’s red carpet moment in which she revealed that the actress and her stylist Tara Swennen used a curling iron to curl the tulle tendrils that covered the unique dress.

Indeed, while the actual curling iron the team used isn’t visible, one can see the perfectly coiled pieces of red fabric that hung off of the garment in a behind-the-scenes Instagram video highlighting the details of the Always Be My Maybe star’s look for the Golden Globes.

After hitting the red carpet in her show-stopping ensemble, Wong went on to win the award for best performance in stand-up comedy on television for her Ali Wong: Single Lady special, beating out the likes of Jamie FoxxSeth Meyers and Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser. (See every winner from the star-studding evening here.)

During the acceptance speech for her big win—her third Golden Globe overall—she paid tribute to her origins as a stand-up comic in the Bay Area.

“Thank you so much,” the comedian said. “You know, I come from San Francisco, and that’s where I started doing stand-up and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the stage time that I got there and all the practice I got to become a stand-up convener.”

Ali Wong: Single Lady focuses on the 42-year-old’s life after divorce following her marriage with Justin Hakuta, which ended in 2022. 

Wong—who is now dating Bill Hader—called Hakuta her “best friend” in the stand-up special and previously opened up about staying connected to him at the benefit of their two children.

“I understand that some people really need to cut the cord,” she told InStyle in October. “But that never worked for me.”

Wong added, “Divorces are like snowflakes. There’s truly no two alike.”

In fact, the American Housewife alum thanked her ex while accepting a Golden Globe for her performance in Beef during the 2024 ceremony.

“I really need to thank the father of my children and my best friend Justin for all of your love and support,” Wong said at the time. “It’s because of you that I’m able to be a working mother.”

Keep reading for more of the best dressed stars from the 2025 Golden Globes.

Zendaya

The Challengers actress channeled her inner Marilyn in a gorgeous Louis Vuitton dress that featured a dramatic matching train. To top off the look, she kept her hair in an old Hollywood inspired bob.

Dakota Fanning

Wearing a deep red gown with a high slit and dainty scarf element, The Perfect Couple actress clearly found the perfect dress for this year’s Golden Globes.

Anya Taylor-Joy

The Furiosa star was pretty in pink in a silk Christian Dior gown with a matching shawl.

Andrew Garfield

The We Live in Time actor was classy and cool in a green suit with his jacket open.

Mikey Madison

The Anora actress looked dipped in gold in a strapless metallic gown.

Emma Stone

The Poor Things actress wowed in a strapless red gown with a synched waist detail.

Cynthia Erivo

Donned in custom Louis Vuitton, the Wicked actress wore an intricate two-skirt gown.

Adam Brody

The Nobody Wants This actor brought the earth tones to the red carpet in a deep green suit.

Leighton Meester

The Gossip Girl alum wore a drapey green gown paired with dainty jewelry. 

Quinta Brunson

The Abbott Elementary creator shined bright in a figure-hugging bedazzled number.

Mindy Kaling

The Mindy Project alum looked like a Golden Globe herself in a stunning, strapless metallic gown.

Morris Chestnut

The Best Man Holiday actor made his best red carpet look with this eye-catching monochromatic ensemble.

Monica Barbaro

What we do know about the A Complete Unknown actress is that she looked incredible in a mesh-detailed gown.

Tyler James Williams

The Abbott Elementary actor opted for a pinstripe suit with nothing underneath.

Colman Domingo

The Sing Sing actor is no stranger to incredible red carpet style, and the 2025 Golden Globes are no different. Donned in a black suit, his standout accessory was a statement bow tie. 

Marren Morris

The “Chasing After You” singer had us chasing after this crimson Carolina Herrera gown. 

Brianna LaPaglia

The podcast host wore the ultimate revenge dress to this years ceremony, showing off some clevage in a skin-tight metallic number.

Babyface

The “Every Time I Close My Eyes” singer looked très chic in a black Balmain suit with an embroidered “je t’aime” on his collar. 

Abby Elliott

The Bear actress wowed on the red carpet in a navy gown by Monique Lhuillier that featured a high slit and bejeweled neckline.

Matt Rife

Donned in an all-black suit, the comedian showed off his dapper side on the Globes red carpet.

Shani Atias

The One Day in October actress wore a bedazzled gown for this year’s Globes ceremony. 

Ashley Graham

The model stunned in a plunging black gown.

Zuri Hall

The TV host was a vision in white.

Matt Friend

The stand-up comedian showed off his playful side in a deep purple suit.