The Actress Portraying Emily in Yellowstone Appears Very Different in Real Life

Kathryn Kelly has also proven how different she looks to Emily on the red carpet. For the Paramount Golden Globe Nominee Celebration in January, Kelly showed her passion for fashion in a stylish, backless gown by Christopher Esber. The beauty served a winter 2024/2025 makeup trend via her glowy skin and natural blush, showing she clearly looks after her blemish-free skin. “[Kat’s] stunning and that dress is gorgeous! #iconic,” one person commented on her Instagram upload from the event. She looked equally gorgeous at a “Yellowstone” premiere event in 2022. The beauty walked the red carpet in a plunging, patterned black dress with her long locks in flattering waves. She wore more pigmented pink lipstick than we’ve seen on Emily and sparkly, dangly earrings that wouldn’t be on the character’s radar.

While auditioning for the role though, Kelly revealed on “The Official Yellowstone Podcast” that she didn’t go all-out Emily, instead presenting a mix of herself and the character to producers. “I don’t try to go way too over the top, but I do want … to feel like the character,” she told host Bobby Bones. Kelly auditioned without makeup and didn’t style her hair to achieve the Southern girl’s undone vibe. “I was wearing a flannel [shirt] and a tank top underneath. Just like, very, very, very casual,” she said. Kelly also shared she didn’t get her locks done by the show’s professionals when she first started filming because Emily’s look is so low-maintenance.

But even though Kelly and her now former character have their differences, she still felt a sweet kinship with the role. “I just really connected with her. She’s witty. She’s straight to the punch,” Kelly told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.