Big Mama Energy: PNL’s Lead Writer Gives an Inside View of the Mother’s on the MET GALA Red Carpet

It’s two hours past the end of the carpet and all eyes are peeled towards the entrance for Rihanna. Just a few minutes ago, the beloved Bajan pop star arrived to her hotel in a midriff top that exposed her baby bump. Yes, Rihanna is pregnant with baby number three. As a mom of two, waiting anticipating her arrival on the carpet, I am thinking about how much effort it takes to simply leave the house when you have children. My back hurts, my feet hurt and rain is pouring down the iconic stairs. Yet, if anyone asked I would do is all over again without hesitation.

The morning began with sending my daughter off to school (because motherhood doesn’t stop even for the Met Gala). Then I kissed my boys, see you later, and got into my Black car. During my ride to The Manhattan Club Hotel, I rehearsed the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” over and over. I had been denied Met Gala credentials before, but if ever there was a one to let us in, it is this one. 

This was the Blackest Met Gala yet, thanks to Dr. Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves To Fashion, that provided the blueprint for this year’s theme. As a proud Black person, I love how resourceful and resilient my people are. Black Dandyism is about more than a style a dress, it is about redefining your identity in the face of oppression. Dressing in your Sunday’s Best is a close to Black culture because it is engrained in our history. 

“They used the power of dandyism to re-humanize themselves. The relationship between Blackness and dandyism is actually a way that we can think about modernity,” Dr. Miller told Interview Magazine.

Sunday’s best is a concept I learned from my mother. Every Sunday she would get me and my sister dressed for church in our dress, stockings, and church coat. The night before church was reserved for braiding our hair because we would were look pristine in the house of the Lord. 

Protesters used to wear their Sundy’s Best during the civil rights movement to signify their peaceful presence. And oftentimes, preachers would announce the protests during church for marching right after. Dress in deeply engrained in our Black roots. 

“On Sunday, you were going to church. And when you go to church and the house of God, you better make sure you’re dressed to honor God in a way. Because your body is your temple. So if your body is your temple, then how you dress your body is also very important,” Darnell-Jamal Lisby, fashion historian and curator, explained in an interview with Refinery29. “It’s always just been engrained, specifically in the Black community that organizes stuff around the church, to ensure how you present yourself is not only honoring your own temple, your own body, the people around you; being respectful to them, but also giving honor to God.” 

To be on the Met Gala carpet for such an important theme felt like divine intervention. Hearing my mother compliment my dress, a black velvet gown with beaming blue bow, felt like a job well done.

Rihanna was beyond fashionably late, but the mom in me, living my dreams at the Met Gala, gives her grace. I felt over-prepared by the woman who raised me to show up in my best and perform my best. And so did these celebrity moms. Keep scrolling for some of my favorite mamas on the Met Gala carpet.

Diana Ross

I had a front row seat to witness Diana Ross’ epic Met Gala moment in real time. The living legend, known for her fashion, timeless music and magnetism, wore a sparkling gown on the carpet. But it was her cape, so long it stretched the entirety of the Met Gala stairs, that captured our hearts. Stitched in her 18-foot train was her children and grandchildren’s name. The design was a collaboration between her son Evan Ross and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozi. 

Not far behind Ross, was her daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, who is a fashion icon, in her own right. The actress wore a statement hat like her mother and finished her look with a big bow.

Rihanna

Rihanna is first on my list (of course). It felt like a journalist right of passage to wait for Rihanna to arrive. As the queen of the Met Gala and pregnancy announcements, I had to see her highly anticipated look with my own eyes. And she didn’t disappoint. I was pleased when I saw her flaunting her bump in a Marc Jacobs deconstructed pinstripe dress, corset bodice and top hat. 

Teyana Taylor

When Teyana Taylor’s flowing du-rag hit the carpet I was determined to speak to the talented multi-hyphenate actress, artist, and creative director. Teyana Taylor was bright and early to the carpet to talk to press before sashaying back down the steps to host Vogue’s livestream. Styled by Ruth Carter, Teyana epitomized the theme with a dapper suit, flashy accessories and standout hat with plume. At the end of the carpet, Teyana came back up the stairs keeping her promise to talk to all the Black press and reminding us all why she is, muva.

Cardi B

Cardi B’s embroidered Burberry suit, inspired by “Victorian dress and corsetry”  was a dream. Paired with big textured hair, she was a mother showing exactly why she is invited to the Met Gala every year. Cardi doesn’t miss in the fashion department and it was great to see her high spirits while being an open book to her fans. 

Nicki Minaj

The head Barb Nicki Minaj broke out her trendsetting ‘Pink Friday’ boots to complete her waist-cinching Thom Browne suit dress, tailored to perfection. The pinstripe look was adorned with florals on her shoulder. It was the perfect look for the mother of little Papa Bear. 

Zinzi Evans

Rihanna wasn’t the only beauty on the carpet with her baby bump. ‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler and his wife Zinzi Evans walked thee carpet hand-in-hand. Despite being several months pregnant, Zinzo graciously stood by her husband’s side as he talked to the press. She smiled and looked adoringly at her man. Black love and Black excellence was on full display.