Keri Russell may be a Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominated actress, but when it comes to getting dressed for Hollywood’s biggest events, she says she doesn’t always get the star treatment.
During a joint interview with Variety alongside her husband and fellow actor Matthew Rhys, Russell opened up about her approach to red carpet fashion and admitted that she occasionally has to shop for her own gowns.
“We’re not that famous,” Russell said, poking fun at her own celebrity status.
© FilmMagicThe actress, known for her roles in The Americans and The Diplomat, explained that her level of fame doesn’t always guarantee a designer dress waiting in the wings. In fact, there have been occasions when she has struggled to secure a gown for an awards show.
“I sometimes can’t get a dress,” she revealed.
Russell continued to downplay her celebrity status, adding, “I am not, you know, someone famous.”
She Says Life Is Different for Hollywood’s Biggest Stars
Russell’s comments came with plenty of self-awareness. While she and Rhys are both recognizable Hollywood stars, the actress said they don’t experience the same level of attention as some of their neighbors.
“People don’t really care about us — in a great way,” Russell explained.
© Amy SussmanShe compared their relatively low-key existence with the lives of some of the more famous people who live around them.
“Some people in our neighborhood are very famous, and their life is very different,” she said. “And it seems so hard.”
For Russell, not being constantly surrounded by cameras and public attention appears to be something of a blessing. Even if it means she occasionally has to find her own red carpet fashion.
Matthew Rhys Has a Very Simple Career Strategy
Russell and Rhys, who have been a couple since 2013, also sat down for a video interview with Variety, where they showed off their playful chemistry.
During the conversation, Rhys was asked about how he decides which acting projects to take on. His answer was anything but complicated.
“What pays most, wins, very simple,” he joked.
Russell immediately burst into laughter as Rhys continued explaining his tongue-in-cheek approach to choosing roles.
“Three children and a mortgage,” he said. “I’ll get after it.”
The Welsh actor then took his joke even further, declaring, “I have no shame, I’ll whore myself with the best of them.”
Russell could barely contain her laughter as her husband laid out his supposedly foolproof career strategy.
The Couple Shares Three Children
Behind the jokes about money and fame, Russell and Rhys have built a blended family together.
Russell shares two children with her former husband, Shane Deary: 19-year-old son River and 13-year-old daughter Willa. She and Rhys also share 10-year-old son Sam.
© Katie FloresThe couple have largely kept their family life private, choosing to stay away from the constant spotlight that comes with being one of Hollywood’s more visible celebrity families.
Their decision to maintain a relatively quiet personal life may help explain why Russell feels comfortable joking that people don’t pay much attention to them.
Both Actors Are Up for Emmys
Despite Russell’s jokes about not being particularly famous, she and Rhys certainly have plenty to celebrate this awards season.
The pair are both nominated for Emmy Awards in 2026. Russell received a nomination for her work on Netflix’s political thriller The Diplomat, while Rhys picked up nominations for both Widow’s Bay and The Beast in Me.
Their nominations are another reminder that while the couple may not consider themselves part of Hollywood’s most intensely scrutinized inner circle, their work continues to earn major industry recognition.
Their Stylist Knows How to Make a Statement
Russell and Rhys are both styled by Frank Flemming, who has helped the couple put together plenty of memorable looks for public appearances.
While Flemming has not publicly addressed Russell’s admission that she sometimes has to purchase her own gowns, he has clearly managed to make sure both stars are dressed to impress when they step onto a red carpet.
Russell’s comments also offer a funny glimpse behind the polished image of awards season. While some celebrities have entire fashion teams competing to dress them, she’s apparently perfectly willing to browse the racks herself when necessary.
All Eyes on the 2026 Emmys
With the 2026 Emmy Awards scheduled for Sept. 14, Russell could soon have another major red carpet moment on her hands.
Considering her recent comments, it will be especially interesting to see what the actress wears when she arrives at the ceremony. Whether she gets decked out in a custom designer creation or finds the perfect gown herself, Russell seems to have no problem keeping things grounded.
And if her self-deprecating comments are any indication, she’ll probably be more amused by the whole fashion frenzy than intimidated by it.
