It's fashion's biggest night and The Hollywood Reporter chatted with celebrities like Ryan Coogler, A$AP Rocky, Doja Cat and more at the 2025 Met Gala carpet.
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00:00Me, Tyla, and somebody else are hosting an after party.
00:05I forgot what the place is called.
00:07I don't know, there's a lot going on.
00:10You've been on the go since early this morning. How crazy is this?
00:13It's been a crazy day, but I love it, though.
00:16It's one of those good days that you can actually come and you see your friends, you can get to dress.
00:20You know I love to dress up. I do.
00:22So to be able to be here with people I love and people I admire, people I haven't even met yet, it's really great, yeah.
00:29You've seen your clip of just singing down.
00:32What does it mean to you now to just have this moment to just do your art?
00:36It's really special. I'm so overwhelmed by how it's connecting.
00:40I think that's the thing that's sort of taken me, that people are wanting to hear the music and they're excited about it.
00:46It means a lot. And it took a lot of work, but I'm really glad that it's connecting.
00:52It means a lot. It's taken a long time to get here, so to be here means a lot.
00:57What does it mean tonight for this theme, I think in this time, in our world, in our country?
01:01Our fashion and our style, amazing. It's been a long time coming.
01:06I can't wait to walk up those stairs and shake Coleman's hand.
01:09I love him so much and for him to be there is great. It's a special thing.
01:13How moved were you by that presentation of Ain't No Mountain Howling?
01:16I was so emotional and then I was like, let me just dance it off because otherwise I'll cry and I'll not.
01:21You know, I wonder, everyone talks about your explanation about the Kodak film and that's been the greatest marketing.
01:28Did you know that that would do what it?
01:31Oh, of course not. No, no. I just wanted folks to know that we were thinking about their viewing experiences.
01:37And I wanted people to know how many different options were available to them and that it was something that we considered.
01:42You know what I mean? That was it. We had no idea it'll do what it did. No idea. Did you know?
01:49No. We just, we poured so much into this film and we had so much fun making it. It was almost a crime.
01:56Yeah.
01:57But so that the audience is, you know, loving it just as much as we are is all we could ever ask for.
02:03How do we get IMAX to keep it back in theaters longer? Because I couldn't even get the music.
02:08You know, that, that, that alone is, it's, it's honestly fueling us that people are asking like the theater managers and saying, hey, can we keep this film in and see the film print more longer?
02:25Um, it's, you know, I mean, going to, going to the movies means everything to us.
02:29As a couple, our first date was bringing on and, and, and what it was, it was in 19, 2000 or 19 and 2000. Yeah.
02:35Like, like, you know, our first, you know, time going out, you know what I'm saying? As kids and holding hands and sharing popcorn, you know, our, our, our, our co-founder, Savak Ahanian.
02:44He proposed to his wife in a movie theater. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know, so, so we all about it.
02:49And, and, and the, and the fact that, you know, the pandemic and the strikes has kind of slowing that down, um, more material being available at home, better broadband speed has, has made it.
02:58Uh, more difficult for people to want to leave the house and to see people coming out and, and advocating for the experience.
03:04It's, it's, it's the greatest gift we can receive as filmmakers, to be honest with you.
03:07When does the prequel come in on Smokin'?
03:09Oh my goodness. Man, we're just talking about this movie now. Yeah, yeah.
03:13We're, we're just, we're, we're grateful for the moment we're in.
03:15Yeah, thank you. Thank you.
03:17How important was it for you to come out tonight for this thing?
03:20Well, I was invited, which was kind of great.
03:24So I thought it was kind of nice for me to show up.
03:27And when Tom invited me, I didn't ask any questions.
03:32I said, whatever you put me in, cause you know what this, you know what you need to do.
03:36And he does. And that's why I love him, you know? So this is what he did.
03:41Great job.
03:42How important is this theme to you in this climate that we're in right now?
03:45Well, let him try to get rid of us. We're not going anywhere. We've been here longer than most anybody. We're not going.
03:56Tell me about not using a stylist and designing this yourself with a Nigerian.
04:00You know what? I just find that I, nobody knows me better than me. And I always like to experiment and play and see what's going on.
04:08One second. Diana's just, let's take a second. Let's just, let's just take a second. Okay. Just a moment. You know what I mean? Cause she deserves it.
04:15But yeah, I love that. And I also love finding new stylists and, and, and experimenting with all different kinds of people.
04:21And once I met, uh, uh, orange culture, they were so happy to collaborate and they really brought the vision together.
04:27So I'm beyond excited to wear them tonight.
04:29And this is a moment overall for black culture people. What does it mean to you particularly in this?
04:34I don't know. What else is going to be said? I mean, like you don't really have to say anything. Super fine. You know what I mean?
04:39You really don't have to say much. You, you, you come, you show up feeling good in our skin, feeling good for about who we are, knowing how we contribute.
04:46It's, it's, it's wonderful that it's being celebrated that way.
04:48I also got to tell you as a dope thief fan, how's it feeling to be back in any conversation?
04:53I don't know. Like it's, I don't know. You just gotta be a part of it. You know how it is. You gotta show up, you know?
04:59That's, that's what we do. We show up. That's, and, and that's sometimes the hardest part.
05:03And showing up is the best part. So I'm glad to be here.
05:06Are you showing up to any after parties?
05:07Yeah, there's a lot going on. I don't really know. I'm so tired. Uh, but maybe as I'm amongst great people.
05:14So like, I'm sure I'll be pulled to quite a few.
05:17I want to ask you about another reaction because you just made history.
05:21Where were you when you found out? What was your reaction?
05:24Um, I just profound gratitude, profound gratitude.
05:30Um, and so happy that I get to do what I love for a living.
05:33It's the only thing I know how to do. So thank goodness.
05:35They're letting, they're letting me do it and they're paying me to do it.
05:38Uh, for the Tony's, um, well, you know, we have to work.
05:43I mean, that's the thing about Broadway performers. Yeah. This is my night off. Yeah.
05:47Eight shows a week is what we're doing. So we'll be doing a show that day as well.
05:51So how you prepare for it, you just, you know, try and have fun and enjoy the ride along the way.
05:57Why was it important to show up tonight?
05:59Oh, to support this in, well, first of all, to support the arts in every possible way.
06:04And this is, we remind ourselves, this is an incredible fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum.
06:08And art is necessary. Art is resistance. Let's never forget that.
06:12And this particular, I think, oh, I just saw that that was Debbie, Deborah.
06:18She's too busy. She's too busy being pretty.
06:21Um, but yes, um, I can't remember what I was saying. No, no, art is resistance.
06:25And, and, and in this day and age, the fact that, uh, that super fine black dandyism is what we are celebrating tonight and uplifting and recognizing.
06:36Hallelujah.
06:38How many hours? How many hours? Uh, hours and hours. Shout out to money long. No, definitely.
06:43Uh, nights and days of tailoring and, and, um, and restyling and rewearing and, and figuring it out.
06:49Do you have a second look tonight?
06:51Uh, girl, I'm going on tour. My first show's tomorrow. So I'm going to hope that I make that stage.
06:56That's all I'm focused on next. How are you feeling about the tour?
06:59I'm really excited for my tour. I just dropped my debut album and I can't wait to like have everybody in the real world singing it.
07:05It's just going to be so beautiful. I can't wait.
07:07I heard you say you're wearing Alexander McQueen. How hands on were you in deciding your look?
07:12Well, um, I'm working with the incredible Patty Wilson. And so, uh, I really, I just, she's so extraordinary and incredible what she does that, uh, I really was just delighted to let her lead the way.
07:30And, uh, she seemed happy and that made me happy. And I think that's how it should be. Yeah.
07:37I heard you say the group chat is going, what after party are you headed to?
07:41Oh gosh. Well, you know, it turns out there's like nine, which seems really obscene. Uh, because as a New Yorker, I mean, pretty much all over wherever, but, uh, that's a lot of ins and outs, you know?
07:56Uh, we're trying to get it down to three. There's major negotiations happening on the chat. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
08:03We'll look out for those. Okay. And I'll be seeing you there, I guess. All right. Thank you.
08:09How special does this night feel for you as a South?
08:12I mean, it feels so rewarding, so special to be here, to be celebrated, to have my culture celebrated.
08:22Um, not just my culture, but black people worldwide throughout history.
08:27This is like groundbreaking. And I pray that it's the dawn of a new time for us in fashion.
08:33What aspects of black dandyism were you most inspired by and the people you dressed?
08:37I mean, I mean, it was just the whole gambit. Like when I started reading the book throughout history and like, we just hit every, we hit the thirties, we hit the forties, we hit the seventies with Bianca Jagger.
08:49And it just was, it was amazing. How do you then decide what you wear?
08:54I decided last week cause I had so many people to dress. I dressed like almost 20 people. So it was kind of crazy. Um, but the team really came through and it's been amazing.
09:06I need to know about this jacket.
09:08You know, this is LV. Um, you know, it's sort of, it's on brand with me, snow flurries everywhere, you know, and, um, man, we just celebrating.
09:18We just celebrating black dandyism.
09:20Did you ever think you see a gala thing like this in your lifetime?
09:23Um, maybe the first time I did it, but we, I don't know, we might be on three right now.
09:30Now tell me it's a lot of after parties to choose from. Which ones are you going to?
09:35Oh man, you know what? First of all, when I leave here, I'm going to play Uno with my homeboy.
09:40You know, Pharrell got a Uno party. So I'm going to play Uno with him cause, cause they got prizes. Okay?
09:47Cash prizes?
09:48After that, um, man, I heard Rocky got a party. I heard GQ has one and my homegirl April. Man, we out all night.
09:57You, you're a black woman and this is black dandyism and I gotta come see you. How are you?
10:02I'm doing good.
10:03Very well.
10:04You look amazing. Tell me about your look. Who are you wearing?
10:06I'm wearing Ferragamo. Uh, and, uh, Max Davis and I collaborated on the look and, you know, he killed it.
10:12Uh, you know, it's just a, some silk with some cashmere and a robe, uh, robe coat. So yeah, it's feeling good.
10:19Very how them nights, it looks good.
10:21Yeah, I've been hearing that, you know, so good, good.
10:24How important or significant does the theme feel to you as a black man?
10:27Oh, very significant. I mean, like expressing ourselves has been the way we've been able to communicate and engage in change and conversation on a global stage for a long time.
10:36So it's nice to be able to pay homage to that. Like all the ancestors, you know, were, were laying it down and, and, and expressing themselves through their fashion ever since we've been doing it.
10:46So I'm just glad to be here honoring that and I'm, I'm happy about it.
10:50And I want to ask, I think I've seen you on set doing some dance moves.
10:53Tiana Taylor, Aaron Pierre, how much fun are you having?
10:56Oh yeah, absolutely. Me and Tiana was just talking about doing another one soon.
11:00So yeah, y'all might see us doing it again. It's so fun. You know what I mean? So good, wholesome fun.
11:05Are you heading to any after parties?
11:07Oh yeah, absolutely. I'll be at all of them. I'm gonna stop by for a second.
11:11What does it mean to have this theme for you at this?
11:14Say again?
11:15The significance of this theme this year and this time, man, it's a, it's, we get to celebrate that really beautiful color black.
11:21You know, you, you, you know, people love black glasses and black shoes and black cars and planes and, and, and, and black devices and, you know, black everything.
11:32But tonight we get to celebrate the people. And when the people get dressed and when the people get fresh, you know, with style and grace, that's amazing.
11:41Yes. It's an American thing.
11:43The second thing.
11:44I need to know how long that jacket took.
11:46Uh, over 400 hours and over 15,000 pearls.
11:51Tell me how many people are you dressing today?
11:53Two. I have Jasmine Tookes and I have Tiana Taylor.
11:56When you see Jasmine, she'll have on, uh, what I call, uh, she has on Harlem nights.
12:03Okay. So she's going to be all in cream. Uh, so make sure you ask her who she's wearing. She'll tell you it's me.
12:11Now, how long ago did you start working on these looks?
12:14Um, some of them were last minute, but me and Tiana have been talking about it for weeks and weeks, maybe three, three months. Yeah.
12:22Yeah.
12:23When you think about black dandyism, what was your first exposure to that kind of culture and context?
12:29Well, you know, I feel like I've been dressing the dandies like my whole career. You know, there is a time in Malcolm X's life when he was a dandy, you know, in the Rosewood ballroom. And, uh, you know, we, it's identity. And that's really how we tell the story of how, you know, the times change. And we move through this, uh, culture, you know, through dandyism. It's a big part of it, you know, and that's how, who we admire in our families, of our friends.
12:54And, uh, it's very important that we bring Black Fast Fork identity to the Met Gala. Very important.
13:01How long has it been in the works for you to style Damson in?
13:04Oh, it's been fantastic. He's incredible. He's a star. And this is the beginning of his stardom.
13:11How did you figure out this big reveal?
13:13Well, I have a great team around me, but also Damson figured it out. He said, let's do this. Let's do that. He just pulled up in his car out front.
13:21How are you feeling? This has to feel like a combination of your life.
13:25I'm feeling great. I'm really honored in this moment. Thank you. Yes.
13:30I mean, who, how are you celebrating later?
13:33You know, um, if I don't make it possible for somebody to come behind me, then I'm not a true legend.
13:42You know, legends pave ways. And so that's what I'm here today to pave ways and tell stories. If I can continue to build on the story that I'm trying to tell, the story of how you can come, the great American story, you know, how you can go from the sidewalks, the concrete of Harlem, you know, to the runways of Paris. That's what I'm here to talk about.
14:04How does it feel to be celebrating this thing, particularly in this time?
14:06I don't know. I feel celebrated. I hope everyone who looks like me feels celebrated. I hope y'all feel celebrated. You know what I mean? I don't know. I'm just, I'm really, I'm really holding back the tears to be quite honest.
14:17I think this Met Gala is the most special and it's never happened. We don't know if it's ever going to happen again. So I'm ready just to go in and fellowship with all my people.
14:26Who's at the Burberry table?
14:28Um, so, Andre 3000, you just tell, come in with the piano. Um, who else is there? I don't know. I had a lot of champagne. I'm ready to party.
14:37Tell me who you're wearing.
14:38I'm wearing Boss. Yes.
14:40First Met Gala?
14:42It's the first one. It's the debut. Yes. Crazy. I feel good. I'm like, this is crazy. Like, it's just wild to be here. Yeah.
14:50And particularly for this theme, like, what do you think about the significance, particularly at this time?
14:54For this to be my debut is a blessing. I'm so grateful. I don't even know how to explain it. Like, how do I get this lucky? Yeah.
15:00Where are you going after? Which after?
15:02Where am I not going? Where am I not going?
15:05So you're at 48?
15:07Yes. Yeah.
15:08I know this dress has particular significance. Tell us how it came together.
15:12Yes. My great-grandmother migrated from Texas to Los Angeles in 1917.
15:18Two years later, she found herself in a portrait studio and she took a picture with a garment.
15:23That is a humbler version of this. And so I gave that to my friends at Prada and they did a bedazzled version.
15:29So I'm really grateful to them because I get to salute her tonight. Yeah.
15:33How does this moment feel to have this theme going, particularly with where we are in the country?
15:37You know what? Black dandyism is about self-expression no matter who's looking. And so while this is really, really lovely and it's going to be fun and family inside, I think the core of the theme is it really doesn't matter because we're going to show up and show out no matter what.
15:51Yeah.
15:52Are you outside later?
15:53I'm outside later. I'll see you.
15:55How long did you start working on this outfit and what was the inspiration?
15:58You know, this came together pretty quickly. I had worn Charles Harbison a few weeks ago for the junket for Running Point. And I just absolutely loved him.
16:10And so my stylist, Aaron Walsh, was like, maybe he would do the Met gown. And so we just were so lucky. And yeah, Marco Bissego, the jewelry, I've been wearing him for a while. So yeah, but it all happened pretty quickly this year.
16:26Do you have a second look for later? Do you have a second look for later? I'm actually traveling back home for work tonight. So I'm like leaving and then getting on a plane. But yeah.
16:36Are we working on Running Point season two? I'm sorry, we're working on Running Point season two. Yeah. And this new show for Hulu. So they let me out for like, my writers have been really nice. They let me out for a couple days, but they're like, hey, you need to like, come back and be a writer. So who inspired this look? What do you wear?
16:52This is Laquan Smith. It's all the way. What is the significance of this theme to you, particularly at this time?
16:59Well, as you know, what tonight is, the theme of it tonight is it's a perfect night for us. And it's a perfect time too, with all things going on. So I'm loving it.
17:08What's up, y'all? What's up, everybody? How you bringing Harlem tonight? I am Harlem. What's up, baby? Yeah. When's your queen coming? Pardon? When the crew coming? Queen. She on the way. You know, she late. Fashion will be late. You know what I mean?
17:24It was amazing. I thought I was like, you know, being pranked at first. And then I was just, when I realized she was serious, I was happy. And, you know, she just recommended that I wore a black designer. So I decided to wear my own. So this is all designed by yours truly for the brand. All check me out. You know? Yeah.
17:45Yes. Look at me. Look at the details. Very significant.
17:56If you had one word to describe tonight's feeling, what would it be?
18:00Black is back, baby.
18:02You're right.
18:09She's a fucking thief, man. I don't know. I don't know. But I'm going to get her back, though. I'm going to get her back.
18:14She's a thief. She be stealing all my pieces, my favorite pieces. And I got to go steal it back. So I don't remember too much pieces to, like, keep track, honestly.
18:23I'm wearing Michael Kors. And I'm Josephine Baker.
18:27Megan!
18:29I'm going to the for real party.
18:32How you doing, beautiful?
18:33I'm doing well. How are you?
18:34I'm great. Tell us who you're wearing.
18:36I'm wearing Who Decides War.
18:38It's a designer couple that are based in New York.
18:42And I'm excited to be here.
18:46This is maddening.
18:47How special does this theme feel, particularly right now in this country?
18:51The theme of tonight.
18:52How special.
18:52How special does the theme feel to you?
18:54It's extremely special.
18:56It's the kind of historical reckoning that's necessary for any type of true progress.
19:03And dealing with, you know, the beauty of the dandy and how it's about this kind of self-interpretation.
19:10It's about redefining and defining of self, self-architecting, self-making.
19:15All of that is critical.
19:17And the intricacies of that are witnessed in the detail, in the superfine details of how we make ourselves from day to day
19:25and to be in the most grand spaces.
19:30Who's at your table tonight?
19:32I don't know.
19:34I'm not telling.
19:36I'm not telling nothing.
19:38Any after parties on your list?
19:40I'm going to do what has to be done.
19:43But I got to go to bed.
19:45Also, I got to ask a woman in the yard, because I love a horror.
19:50How are you feeling about response?
19:52I'm excited.
19:53I'm super excited about it.
19:54You know, Blumhouse with an indie project like that, it's just beautiful to hear things that people are talking about and feeling from it.
20:04The themes that are explored about self, about maternity and motherhood, about, you know.
20:11Some folks are just plain old scaredy cats.
20:13And that's fine, too.
20:15But it's been a beautiful response, yeah.
20:18Who are you wearing?
20:19What inspired your list?
20:20Tonight, I'm wearing Anna Quarry for the jewelry.
20:24She's provided me with some beautiful bestowed pearls, diamond-encrusted.
20:30Very rare, very rare.
20:30And we know how to put a little flair in it, put it in my hair.
20:34You know, I've got a whole handful.
20:38Yes, indeed.
20:39And then Tom Brown has decided to dress me tonight.
20:42What does this theme mean to you, particularly as a black man?
20:44Man, it means a lot of things.
20:46It means being seen.
20:47It means inclusivity.
20:49It means creativity.
20:50And, to be honest, enjoying.
20:53Enjoying this moment.
20:54You know, a part of history.
20:55A part of everybody saying, hey, we're here.
20:57We love our culture.
20:59And we love to come out here and just do our thing.
21:01Where are you heading for an after party?
21:04Shoot.
21:04I've heard Pharrell, Burna Boy is throwing some big, heavy-hitting parties.
21:09You know, I'll be probably going to Willie's party as well since it's already at my hotel.
21:13We'll be starting there, and we'll see where the night takes us.
21:16What are you wearing?
21:20You know what?
21:21Obviously, we're here at Black Dandy.
21:24Inspiration is everywhere.
21:26But my stylist and I, women in Micah, there was a particular image.
21:30Of a black equestrian from the 1800s.
21:32Her name is Celica.
21:34That we looked at, and we were like, we were inspired by that.
21:37And I love that, because I want to always have a touchstone.
21:39Also, to let people know that, like, we've been here.
21:42Always.
21:44We're here.
21:45Always expressing ourselves.
21:47You know, the concept of a dandy is that there's freedom in that expression, right?
21:52Also, because we didn't have the privilege.
21:54It's the privilege to be dirty and not put together.
21:57So, we always had to be put together, clean, nice.
22:04But we're going to take anything to the moon, because we're excellent.
22:08Did you take it?
22:09Black excellence.
22:10Did you come back from filming the agency for this?
22:13I haven't started filming, but we are in production.
22:15Last one.
22:18I just need to know.
22:22I know.
22:22You see how, like, the little trees is covering us?
22:27If you see what my knees and ankles is doing.
22:29You know, I've been standing up.
22:31I'm hosting a carpet this year, so I've been standing up since 3 o'clock.
22:35Do you have a new respect for journalists?
22:37Girl.
22:38Baby, when I, I'm going to sneak some food out for you, because the thing about it is, I know you hungry.
22:43I've been holding my pee for the last three hours.
22:46I'm done.
22:47I'm done.
22:48I'm done.
22:49Don't cry.
22:50I just need to know why Ruth Carter was the only one who could style you.
22:55I mean, because, one, you know I'm my own stylist.
22:57So I'm like, okay, if somebody is going to collaborate with me, it's got to be somebody that is worthy, legendary icon.
23:03And who else other than the Ruth E. Carter?
23:07Do you understand?
23:08Her attention to detail is, you, listen, we were sneaking on this carpet regardless whether I was invited or not.
23:14I was sneaking on this carpet.
23:16And if I wasn't, guess what?