‘X-Men’ Star Inde Navarrette Trades Couture for Sunlit Florals at the Newport Beach Film Festival
Few actors have had a year like Inde Navarrette’s. The ‘Obsession’ breakout has become one of the most talked-about names in Hollywood, and her red carpet appearances have been closely followed.
The horror hit made her a star almost overnight, and her fashion has become part of the story. She wore a spotted Schiaparelli couture gown to the Academy Museum Gala on Saturday, and then she had to switch gears quickly.
On October 18, Cinethology shared photos of Navarrette at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where she was celebrated as one of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch. The event took place at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, on the third day of the festival.
She wore a sleeveless, high-neck satin dress in a soft lavender-blue shade, covered in a red and orange floral print. The skirt fell into a fringed hem with a high front slit, giving the look a light, summery movement that stood out against the dark Variety and festival backdrop.
Navarrette wore her long, dark hair straight and sleek, with minimal jewelry and a wide smile in the second photo. It was a relaxed, breezy contrast to the sculptural, polka-dot gown she wore at the gala just a day earlier.
Inde Navarrette attends the Newport Beach Film Festival. 📷 https://t.co/7NqAXcfMd1
— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 18, 2026
The festival’s Honors event recognized Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch class, which includes Esmé Creed-Miles, Mariana Di Girólamo, Rosalind Eleazar, Guitarricadelafuente, Summer H. Howell, Jaafar Jackson, Ruth Madeley, Ray Nicholson and Joseph Zada, alongside Navarrette. Taraji P. Henson, Jack O’Connell and McKenna Grace were among the other 2026 honorees.
The honors were filmed for broadcast on PBS SoCal during the awards voting window in January. The 27th edition of the festival runs from October 15 to 22 and spotlights more than 100 feature films from around the world.
Inde Navarrette arrives at the Newport Beach Film Festival HONORS https://t.co/ElHERzujKL
— Variety (@Variety) October 18, 2026
Speaking to Variety’s Marc Malkin on the festival carpet, Navarrette reflected on the gala. She said she felt “overwhelmed and kind of drowning in everybody that you have looked up to,” telling Variety she was honored to be around members of the Academy.
She also praised Jessica Lange and Pamela Anderson as icons after meeting them at the gala. Her packed weekend moved from one major Los Angeles event to the next in a matter of hours.
The film behind her rise has been remarkable. Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ stars Navarrette as Nikki Freeman opposite Michael Johnston, and it has reportedly earned more than $459 million worldwide on a production budget of about $750,000.
Inde Navarrette praises Jessica Lange and Pamela Anderson as “icons” after meeting them at the Academy Museum Gala. 📍 Newport Beach Film Festival https://t.co/5Wz8BXoxBy
— Variety (@Variety) October 18, 2026
Awards recognition has followed. Variety reports Focus Features will campaign her for Best Actress at the Oscars, and she is set to receive the Breakthrough Actress Award in Film at the Critics Choice Celebración, after winning Best Actress in a Horror Movie at the Critics Choice Super Awards.
Navarrette’s schedule only gets busier. She is preparing to host the ‘Saturday Night Live’ Halloween episode, and she discussed joining the MCU’s ‘X-Men’ film as Rogue, including early stunt training.
That combination of late-night comedy and superhero action marks a big expansion for an actor who became a star in a low-budget horror movie. It also points to the studio interest in her, as industry watchers track whether she can turn a breakout into a lasting career.
Mckenna Grace and Inde Navarrette at the 27th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival. https://t.co/8FAjTbJlDD
— mckenna grace files ⋆.𐙚 ̊ (@mckennafiles) October 18, 2026
Her Newport Beach look also adds to a fashion narrative that has grown alongside her acting. From couture at the gala to a gentle, floral-print dress at a daytime festival, she has shown range within a single weekend.
The Newport Beach photos show an actress comfortable in both moods, whether surrounded by designer gowns or in a lighter setting. As awards season ramps up, her red carpet moments are likely to keep drawing attention.
Which of Inde Navarrette’s recent red carpet looks do you prefer
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
