The Actress Who Plays Emily On Yellowstone Looks So Different In Real Life

On "Yellowstone," Emily Hurdstram was often dressed in her signature pink button-down and a black baseball cap, with her hair in a ponytail. The character also opted for casual and practical pieces over stylishly aesthetic outfits, usually wearing comfy, Western-wear denim looks (but not in the chic way that's been trending), cowboy boots, and natural-leaning makeup. 

In real life though, Emily actor Kathryn Kelly looks totally different, just like her former co-star Jen Landon, who played Teeter. In fact, she's so unlike Emily that she had to do a lot of preparation to take on the role — particularly to get Emily's horse skills. "I can turn a barrel, weave and all this stuff. Maybe not on every horse but I know the patterns. I know the clover!" the "Nashville" actor told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of her prep.

But that wasn't the only thing she had to do. Kelly underwent a makeunder to get the right look, as Kelly's personal style is undoubtedly more polished than her TV counterpart. She proved that in an Instagram post, which showed her getting ready with her glam team. Though we can't imagine manicures were Emily's thing, Kelly sported sophisticated, deep red nails. She also wore her locks in a loose, glam up-do (as opposed to Emily's practical look) with soft glam makeup, including a glossy, nude lip and a flattering, brown, smoky eye. The actor wore several gold necklaces, a large ring, and matching earrings, though her character wasn't known for bougie accessories.

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.