Which celebrities could walk the 2026 Kentucky Derby red carpet? See our picks
They say the Kentucky Derby is “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but don’t count out the excitement of the rest of Derby day.
It’s once again time for us to make our predictions for who will walk the Derby red carpet. The truth is, you never know who could show up. This list is all in good fun, mixed with a healthy dose of pop culture knowledge and a lot of guesswork.
There are a few folks we know will be there, and who are likely to make a red carpet appearance. The celebrities picked to make the “Riders Up” call and sing the national anthem are typically spotted on the red carpet and around the racetrack. These names have yet to be announced, though past years have included Simone Biles and Martha Stewart.
Plus, the annual Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala gives us a pretty good idea of who could make an appearance. Among those expected to attend this year are Patti LaBelle, Tanya Tucker, and Dannielynn and Larry Birkhead.
Beyond that, your guess is as good as ours. Here’s who we think could make an appearance on Saturday.
TV & Film
- Rob Rausch
Monica: I didn’t watch “Love Island,” but I did watch the fourth season of “The Traitors,” and now it seems like Rob Rausch is everywhere. He’s from the South, and I think he’s right in the center of the Venn diagram of “influencers” and “reality stars” who typically attend the Derby.
Caroline: I’m only upset I didn’t think of it first. And now that I am thinking about it? I’m positive Rausch will make an appearance.
- François Arnaud and Robbie Graham-Kuntz
Caroline: Picture this — “Heated Rivalry,” the HBO Max-hosted Canadian TV show which took over the hearts and minds of many over the holidays, meets the Kentucky Derby! Now, if it were a bit closer to the peak of popularity it hit back in the winter, I’d say that the main stars, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, would pop out on the red carpet. However, due to that aforementioned popularity, those two are extraordinarily booked and busy. Good for them, I say! But the actors who portray the first season’s other relationship, Arnaud and Graham-Kuntz? They may have a tad more time to fly to the Commonwealth this weekend.
Monica: I’m seeing the vision. Stars from “Heated Rivalry” have been everywhere in the past few months, so why not the Kentucky Derby?
- Bobby Flay
Monica: Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is a Derby red carpet regular, but this year, he’s got a special connection to the race. He’s an owner of Brooklyn Blonde, who will run in the Oaks on Friday.
Caroline: We’ll see what Flay has cooked up for his outfits, especially given this year’s extra reason to show this weekend!
- Andrew Walker and Odette Annable
Monica: You might not recognize these names right off the cuff, but Andrew Walker and Odette Annable are the stars of the Hallmark movie “Kentucky Roses” that premieres the night of the Derby. The two are confirmed to be attending the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala on Friday night, and what better way to celebrate the movie premiere than a red carpet appearance? It’s very much on brand, especially for a movie that was filmed at Churchill Downs and centers on the iconic racetrack.
Caroline: First, I personally cannot wait to watch this movie. Second of all, I think Monica is right on the money here. I’m sure Churchill Downs is a stop on the promotional tour schedule. I’m looking forward to seeing what they wear!
Musicians
- Jack Harlow
Monica: This is not so much a guess as a guarantee. There is no Derby red carpet without Jack Harlow. As someone named Monica, I’d like to ask him about the inspiration behind his latest album, also named “Monica.”
Caroline: Lock it in! A sure bet.
- *NSYNC and The Backstreet Boys
Monica: Joey Fatone has been at the Derby each year I’ve covered the red carpet (and for many years before that), and then I saw that fellow *NSYNC member Lance Bass is also expected to attend the Barnstable Brown Gala. And then, I saw that Backstreet Boys member Howie Dorough is also expected to attend. So I’m going to throw it out there. I think both boy bands should attend. Be still, my ‘90s childhood heart.
Caroline: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And where there’s a gathering of three ‘90s boy band members, there’s a great possibility of more! These two groups have had plenty of reunion rumors over the years; I’d personally love for the reunion to happen at Churchill Downs.
- Luis Fonsi
Monica: Luis Fonsi is most know for the global 2017 hit “Despacito,” and he’s scheduled to make an appearance at the Barnstable Brown Gala. I’d expect that also means he’ll make an appearance on Saturday.
Caroline: I love that song!
- T.I.
Caroline: Also expected to show at the Barnstable Brown Gala is Atlanta-born multihyphenate T.I., who has delivered some unforgettable memories over the years. If you’re in town for the Barnstable Brown Gala, why not stay the weekend? Book a reservation at MeeshMeesh, explore Louisville and enjoy the 152nd renewal of the Kentucky Derby.
Monica: If you’re at the Barnstable Brown Gala, you’re almost certain to walk the Derby day red carpet. See you there, T.I.
Athletes
- Jason Kelce (and Kylie Kelce)
Caroline: The longtime Philadelphia Eagle-turned-ESPN-Swiss army knife seems to be on my television and/or social media feed any time I look at a screen. While there are plenty of rumors swirling about his younger brother and said younger brother’s fiancée, I do believe it’s far more likely that ESPN will send the future Hall of Famer to do content in Louisville this weekend; or that Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce has a brand deal in place to celebrate the Derby.
Monica: I think this is a high possibility. Jason and Kylie Kelce made a ton of content around the Winter Olympics with NBC Sports, which also broadcasts the Derby. In fact, I’ll take it one step further. As of Thursday morning, the person who will make the “Riders Up” call has not yet been announced, so I’m going to guess that it’s Jason Kelce making that call.
- UK football alumni
Caroline: It’s been a while since the Bluegrass experienced a spring this fired up for the upcoming Kentucky football season. Of course, Louisville is Cardinals territory, but everybody likes the Run for the Roses! New UK head coach Will Stein and his staff have not only reinvigorated the hopes of Big Blue Nation, but they’ve also done their part to bring former players and alumni back to spend time around the team and show them what the program can be at its best. The Derby is a pretty good place to connect and reminisce about the college days.
Monica: Just like we can count on Jack Harlow to make an appearance, there are plenty of UK sports alumni who walk the red carpet every year. We can almost surely count on Will Stein and a handful of players to be there on Saturday.
- Terry Crews
Caroline: The NFL player-turned-actor and media personality has been everywhere and done a bit of everything. Next up, he’s got a new YouTube series called “Crews Control” premiering May 5. The series will follow Crews as he explores the ins and outs of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and was made by the same folks behind the mega-popular “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” Netflix series. If you’re going to do some promotional work about the behind-the-scenes of a non-traditional sport, the Kentucky Derby feels like a great place to do it.
Monica: Terry Crews, I love your work in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and also weekend two of Coachella with Sabrina Carpenter!
Wildcard picks
- Emily Henry
Caroline: I’ve been told by my loved ones (Monica included) that the Cincinnati native simply has too much going on to make a trip to Churchill Downs this weekend, but why not strike while the iron is hot? Seems as though everybody I know — EmHen fan or not — has seen the Netflix adaptation of “People We Meet on Vacation” released earlier this year. As we turn the page to the recently-cast “Beach Read,” Henry is having a real moment. I’d love to see her there, even if only to talk shop about her bibliography.
Monica: OK, Emily Henry was not on my list but since Caroline is putting it out there in the universe, I will co-sign! I think I’ve preached the gospel of her books to everyone I know. If she shows up, I would be thrilled (and a little star-struck) and would love to talk about potential casting ideas for my favorite of her books, “Book Lovers.” Emily, hear me out! Come to Derby!
- Taylor Swift
Monica: In our predictions last year, I said that I would keep guessing Taylor Swift until she showed up. And she wasn’t there last year, so I’m saying it again. There have been rumors swirling that Swift and her fiancé Travis Kelce are part-owners of Derby horse The Puma. While I don’t necessarily think that’s true, or even understand where that rumor came from, we know that Travis attended the Derby two years ago and raved about it on his podcast, then got into the horse-owning game with Swift Delivery. So while the chance of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce showing up isn’t high, it’s also not zero.
Caroline: Look, with what little information we have, there seems to be as good of a chance that I’m a part-owner of The Puma (I will not confirm or deny at this time). However, if we’re going to manifest stars at the Derby, I’m happy to hop on the Taylor Swift train.
