Leigh Waters Reveals Red Carpet Secrets: Anna Leigh Waters made history in July by becoming the first professional pickleball athlete to attend the ESPY Awards. She was joined by her mom and coach, Leigh Waters, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the two enjoyed an unforgettable night on the red carpet.
A Surreal Experience
Leigh Waters described how special it felt to be surrounded by famous athletes.
“It was pretty surreal being there and seeing all these athletes passing by that you see all the time in the media. Anna Leigh and I just couldn’t believe it was real,” (Leigh Waters).
Leigh admitted she went all out for the event.
“I think the last time I wore a formal dress was at my wedding 20-something years ago. I hardly wear makeup, so getting the glam was a lot of fun.
I actually took dress shopping a little more seriously than AL because she might get to do this again, but I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go to a red carpet again, so I decided to go all out.”
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Choosing the Right Dresses
When the Waters family got the invitation, Leigh immediately started shopping.
“Immediately, I went shopping. I didn’t have anything in my closet that was formal enough, and AL just said she was going to wear something out of her closet the whole time,” (Leigh Waters).
Anna Leigh Waters, however, waited until the last minute.
“The day before we left, though, she needed to get shoes, so we went to the mall and she saw this dress, tried it on, and she loved it.”
Anna Leigh defended her decision.
“In my defense, I had another formal dress hanging in my closet,” (Anna Leigh Waters).
On the night of the event, Anna Leigh wore a black Victoria Beckham dress with a plunging neckline. Leigh wore a strapless black Valentino dress with feathers.
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A Surprise Break from Gucci
Many were surprised Leigh Waters did not wear her favorite brand, Gucci, which she usually sports at tournaments.
“I went to Gucci and unfortunately there wasn’t anything that suited the event,”. “But I did give them the first chance.”(Leigh Waters)
A Proud Moment
Attending the ESPYs was more than just about fashion. It was a proud milestone for both Anna Leigh Waters and the pickleball community.
“When we first started playing pickleball, it was just something fun we did. When it started to get bigger and saw some money coming in, I don’t think we ever expected it to be what it is now, especially seeing it represented at the ESPYs,” (Leigh Waters).
She shared one of her favorite memories from the evening.
“It was so cool for me, as a mom, to go behind the red carpet where all the photographers were so I could see all these celebrities coming through just waiting to see AL, and then all of a sudden I hear all the photographers start yelling, ‘ALW!’ That was one of the coolest moments.”
Leigh said she will never forget it.
“Anna Leigh handled it like a champ,”. “We’re not taking anything for granted because it’s so unexpected, and I feel blessed to be a part of it.”
Why It Matters
The ESPY Awards appearance showed how far pickleball has grown and how much recognition Anna Leigh Waters has earned. Her presence on the red carpet put the sport on a global stage, opening the door for more pickleball athletes to be celebrated alongside the world’s top stars.
News in Brief: Leigh Waters Reveals Red Carpet Secrets
Anna Leigh Waters became the first pro pickleball player to attend the ESPY Awards, joined by her mother and coach, Leigh Waters. The pair enjoyed the red carpet in Los Angeles, with Anna Leigh in Victoria Beckham and Leigh in Valentino. The moment marked a milestone for both the family and the sport.