Gayle King Responds to “Worst Dressed” Claims on CBS Mornings
Gayle King felt like she scored a winning look at the 2026 World Cup Final, and she isn’t letting online critics change her mind.
Following her attendance at the high-profile soccer match on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the 71-year-old journalist addressed the backlash during the July 21 broadcast of CBS Mornings. King revealed that an outlet placed her on a “worst-dressed” roundup for her monochromatic white outfit.
“I didn’t realize that the World Cup had become such a fashion show,” King joked on air as her co-hosts jumped in to defend her. “I really didn’t get it, not that I’m sensitive or anything about it.”
Deconstructing Gayle King’s World Cup Outfit
Despite the harsh “frumpy” and “dowdy” labels, King’s game-day style actually featured several high-end contemporary fashion pieces:
- Top: A clean, classic white tank top by Boston Proper.
- Pants: Tailored white cargo pants by Alice + Olivia—which King proudly noted were ironed for the occasion by her son, William “Will” Bumpus Jr.
- Footwear: Metallic silver Sneex hybrid shoes for comfortable, high-style movement around the stadium.
King walked the red carpet at MetLife Stadium alongside a close family circle, including her son Will, his wife Elise Smith, and Nina Cooper, to watch the championship match between Argentina and Spain.
“In Good Company” With Kylie Jenner and Blake Lively
King took the style critique in stride, pointing out that several other major global style icons were included in the same negative fashion roundup.
“I think all these women look great. I’m in very good company,” King noted, pointing out that Kylie Jenner and Blake Lively also landed on the same publication’s bottom ranking for their match-day outfits.
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King Support Each Other Against Online Trolls
Navigating public scrutiny is easier when you have a strong inner circle. King’s long-time best friend, Oprah Winfrey, faced similar viral internet “dragging” earlier in the year regarding her appearance at Paris Fashion Week.
While attending the Chloé Fall/Winter 2026 runway show alongside King, footage captured Winfrey taking slow, deliberate steps upon arrival. Social media commenters quickly mocked the 72-year-old media mogul, claiming she was “walking like she’s 90 years old.”
Winfrey shut down the internet commentary during a social media video update, offering a simple, relatable explanation:
“So everybody who’s saying ‘you’re walking like you’re 90,’ I could not see,” Winfrey explained, revealing she was wearing neither glasses nor contact lenses at the event. “I didn’t know where I was walking.”
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