‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Star Rei Ami Goes Sheer and Gothic at the VMAs, and Fans Can’t Get Enough
Voices that soundtrack a global phenomenon don’t always get to step into the spotlight themselves. For a while, the singers behind ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ were known mostly through animated characters. Rei Ami’s VMAs look made it clear she is ready to be seen.
Ami is the singing voice of Zoey in Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X’s rapper. The group’s single “Golden” topped the Billboard Hot 100, and it earned a Song of the Year nomination at this year’s ceremony. That success made her arrival on the blue carpet one of the night’s most anticipated.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ star REI AMI stuns at the #VMAs. pic.twitter.com/Hx2Cm2Lz5O
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 27, 2026
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Ami arrived in an all-black sheer look by Hilá, and Pop Crave’s post of the photos passed 1.7 million views. The design was covered in delicate leaf-like appliqué details.
It featured a structured bra-style top with thin straps and layers of black embellishment tracing her torso. The detailing continued into matching sheer trousers, creating a striking illusion effect. From the back, criss-crossing straps and an open design made the look even more dramatic.
K Pop Demon Hunters’ REI AMI gives a shoutout out to Pop Tingz at the #VMAs pic.twitter.com/m93BJvO94i
— Pop Tingz (@PopTingz) September 27, 2026
Fashion outlets were quick to praise the construction. Red Carpet Fashion Awards said the look leaves very little hidden, yet the layered embellishment means she doesn’t appear completely naked. Other reports described a beaded, web-like design draping over a low-rise skirt.
The accessories kept things glamorous. She piled on Hoorsenbuhs white-gold and diamond jewelry, plus multiple silver bracelets, rings, and layered necklaces, with a chunky choker framing the neckline. Black high heels completed the styling.
Rei Ami, the singing voice of Zoey in KPop Demon Hunters, walked the 2026 VMAs carpet in a sheer black HILÁ dress. Her take on the assignment: "I am here to be looked at and I know the history of this carpet." pic.twitter.com/QTOm3H7i7N
— Thought Catalog (@ThoughtCatalog) September 28, 2026
Her beauty look was just as striking. Ami wore her dark hair in a messy, voluminous updo with long bangs sweeping across her forehead, giving it a slightly undone edge. Dramatic black eyeliner, softly glowing skin, and a neutral lip finished the makeup.
The result was gothic without being heavy. It matched a carpet that was full of lace, corsetry, and sheer gowns, and it fit neatly into one of the night’s recurring themes.
HUNTR/X's Rei Ami thanks her Perfect 10 music video for making her want to become a "baddie pop star" #VMAs pic.twitter.com/lm82hSGVoA
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) September 28, 2026
Ami’s outfit history has been consistently dark. At the 2025 VMAs, she wore a black fringe miniskirt with a heavy belt and a cropped black top, mostly covered by a fuzzy burgundy wrap. The trio’s looks that year were described as pop goth.
At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, she wore a cutout floor-length black gown with a thigh-high leg slit. At the Golden Globes, she coordinated with her fellow singers in black, and her corset gown by Valdrin Sahiti was praised for its femme-fatale energy. This year’s VMAs look continued that pattern with a more daring twist.
Reaction online was pure delight. One fan joked that Zoey really showed up ready to hunt demons and the red carpet, while another admitted they didn’t know the demon hunters got down like that. The replies captured how much the film’s characters have become intertwined with the real voices behind them.
She also joined in on the fun elsewhere on the carpet. Billboard featured her in a video where she said Lady Gaga’s meat dress is still iconic and picked her favorite Taylor Swift music video. Another Billboard “pass the mic” video showed stars including Tyla, Slayyyter, and FLO asking each other questions.
The night didn’t end in a win for HUNTR/X. The trophy went to BTS for “Swim,” the lead single from their album ‘Arirang,’ as the group swept all 3 of its nominations. Still, Ami’s carpet moment showed there is plenty of life left in the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ era.
With a new single out and the film still going strong, her solo career looks like it is just getting started. Stepping fully into her own identity as an artist suits her, and the look was as fearless as her music.
What do you think of Rei Ami’s sheer gothic VMAs look?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.
