Nikki Glaser for WWD

Photographer Caroline Tompkins @cahlinetompkins /
Style Alex Badia @theAlexBadia /
Hair Ben Skervin @benskervin @thewallgroup /
Makeup Quinn Murphy @quinnmurphy @walterschupfermanagement /
Nails Mamie Onishi @nailsbymamie @seemanagement /
Senior market editor Emily Mercer @elmercer /

Nikki Glaser Is in Her Spotlight Era — And Her Style Matches the Moment

With her bold wit and unapologetic edge, Nikki Glaser has long been one of comedy’s most fearless voices. But in 2024, her signature sharpness took a glamorous turn. Following her viral performance at Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady, Glaser has become a fixture on major stages — from Thursday Night Football to her acclaimed HBO special — and is now preparing for her most visible role yet: hosting the 2025 Golden Globes.

The cover shoot celebrating this moment of transformation brought Glaser to Vandervoort Studio, where high fashion, editorial finesse, and sharp cultural commentary converged against a canvas of clean lines and natural light.

Photographed by Caroline Tompkins (@cahlinetompkins), the concept was simple: elegance with a wink — much like Glaser herself. The tone of the shoot straddled refined sophistication and tongue-in-cheek playfulness, capturing the performer in rare form — powerful, poised, and unafraid to be seen.

Styled by fashion director Alex Badia (@theAlexBadia), Glaser wore bold statement pieces that mirrored her rising stature in Hollywood. A sculptural pair of earrings took center stage against a classic black turtleneck, her bright red lips commanding attention without apology. The look was intentionally minimal, allowing her natural charisma — and razor-sharp features — to do the talking.

Hair stylist Ben Skervin (@benskervin) and makeup artist Quinn Murphy (@quinnmurphy) worked in tandem to keep the beauty look fresh and modern. Light-reflecting skin, softly defined eyes, and a polished updo enhanced Glaser’s natural glow while retaining her trademark edge. Nails by Mamie Onishi (@nailsbymamie) added an understated elegance, complementing the confident restraint of the overall styling.

The creative team was anchored by senior market editors Emily Mercer (@elmercer) and Thomas Waller (@twallz21), who curated a lookbook that blended editorial fashion with on-camera readiness — a fitting balance for a woman about to command a global stage.

Vandervoort Studio’s minimalist, industrial backdrop gave the team a flexible, daylight-drenched canvas to work with. Known for its cinematic proportions and 180-degree unobstructed light, the studio became an extension of Glaser’s commanding presence. Whether captured in soft shadow or direct beam, every frame highlighted both the technical sophistication of the production and the personal evolution of its subject.

Glaser herself brought a sense of humor and self-awareness to set, often joking between takes and poking fun at the “glam version” of herself. But behind that banter was a performer in full control — one who has spent years honing her voice and is now ready to project it on a global scale.

“When I think about walking onto that Globes stage, I don’t feel scared — I feel prepared,” she said during a break in the shoot. “It’s live TV. You either let that terrify you or you use it as fuel. I choose the latter.”

That attitude defined the tone of the shoot — a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and rising to the moment. It wasn’t just about clothes or camera angles; it was about capturing a woman mid-metamorphosis, fully stepping into her spotlight with humor, heart, and unapologetic confidence.

As the day wrapped, the energy on set echoed the larger theme of Glaser’s trajectory: smart, sharp, and stylishly in control. The images captured at Vandervoort Studio tell that story with clarity — one frame at a time.

Read the full story here