The Trainwrecks of Met Gala 2023

Many celebs came to slay, others like Lil Nas X, Ice Spice, Kerry Washington and more …not so much.

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

Met Gala Monday has concluded and now it’s time for a moment of reflection. The fashion night of the year was filled with gorgeous gowns and perfectly tailored suits, but you know there are always some people who miss the mark, Black and white. Here are the worst outfits of the evening, sorry to these people.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris Talk New Film ‘Black Bag,’ Reveal Their Go-To Karaoke Songs

Ariana DeBose

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Ariana DeBose in fact did not do the thing. Some would appreciate the pop of color, others would say this look is quite horrid.

Letitia Wright

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

Letitia Wright was serving us county mayor chic with this blinged-out collar. Sorry girl, this was not it.

Aurora James

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy / Staff

I think Aurora James chose an outfit for a different event! This was not giving Met Gala, but rather a summer vacation fit. No ma’am.

Ice Spice

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo / Staff

Now we love Miss Ice Spice but this gown looks like it was thrown on her last minute. For her first Met Gala, a unique outfit would’ve solidified her as a fashion girl, but this completely missed the mark. At least the hair was on point!

Lil Nas X

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

I will always give credit for being out of the box, but this kind of sucks. This look from Lil Nas X is widely off-theme, serving more alien superstar than high fashion, but at least we can see his abs!

Erykah Badu

Photo: Getty Images Mike Coppola / Staff

What in God’s green earth? The abominable snowman? Oh no, that’s Erykah Badu. What’s going on here? We can always guarantee our girl will raise an eyebrow when it comes to her fashion sense. She didn’t disappoint…well she did, kind of.

Kerry Washington

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

This look isn’t bad, but it’s just okay. The necklace doesn’t work for this outfit and this silhouette is played out. Love you, Kerry Washington, but it’s boring.

Serena Williams

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo / Staff

Although Serena Williams made a major life announcement in this outfit (her second pregnancy), the dress was less than nice. The tulle at the bottom is tragic, to say the least.

Mary J. Blige

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

No Mary! I love the dedication to the boots but this is terrible, terrible, terrible. The makeup is murky, the tailoring is off, and she didn’t look happy to be there.

Quinta Brunson

Photo: Getty Images Michael Buckner / Contributor

Quinta Brunson’s hair is fabulous but this dress is one of her worst looks of the year. Quinta has become a fashion girl in the making, but this was the wrong choice.

Janelle Monáe

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni / Contributor

Depending on who you ask, Janelle Monáe slayed yet again or took the L. This transforming look on the stairs was a spectacle, and by the time she got inside the event, she was only in a black bathing suit.

Cara Delevingne

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo / Staff

I think Cara Delevingne’s stylist has beef with her, because what on God’d green earth is she wearing? Cara was close friends with Karl and wanted to look like him, but this is ugly.

Harvey Guillen

Photo: Getty Images Michael Buckner / Contributor

If you watched the carpet live, then you saw Harvey Guillen interviewing stars on the carpet. You also saw how hideous and ill-fitting this get-up was. I almost had to close my eyes every time this outfit popped up on my screen.

Florence Pugh

Photo: Getty Images ANGELA WEISS / Contributor

Bless Florence Pugh’s heart, her stylist was not feeling her. This feather crown is almost laughable and the dress is simply, bad. Her newly shaved head is badass though!

Rami Malek

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

Rami Malek looks like he stole this outfit from a flight attendant. Let’s try again next year if you even get invited.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

A Peek Inside Lena Horne's Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

A Peek Inside Lena Horne’s Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

Iconic actress and activist Lena Horne’s home in Queens is finally under contract to be sold. Let’s take a look inside! …
Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Black women were instrumental in the early stages of hip-hop and continue to make history today. We’re looking at those who made their mark doing what they love …
Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is letting it be known she’s not here for Nicki Minaj’s alleged spread of misinformation. Now, the Barbz are responding! …
Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

After Shyne and Ma$e reminisce about 90s romance on the “It Is What It Is” podcast, Brandy shuts down the rumors and distances herself from her brother’s erratic behavior …
New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

First, Southwest took away free checked bags and open seating. Now, Black women are speaking out on a new seating policy that allegedly causes more harm than good …
States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump's 'Illegal' Tariffs

States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Tariffs

Over 15 states penned a letter to Congress demanding they receive compensation following Trump’s “illegal” tariffs …
Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

A former Magic City dancer just gave her two cents amid ongoing fallout from the Hawks’ collaboration with the popular strip club …
‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

Kerry Washington and her ‘Scandal’ costar Tony Goldwyn are looking back at some of their steamiest moments. But there are some they’ve missed, let’s take a look! …
Don't Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Don’t Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Go old-school with your spring cleaning for a house as clean as your grandma’s …
GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

A Georgia woman accused of swindling customers didn’t even have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. Allegedly, she promised tax returns that were too good to be true …
New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn't Commit

New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn’t Commit

Prosecutors said Kenneth Windley, now 61, did not steal $550 after two other men who were convicted of similar robberies confessed …
How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman just testified in court after being sued by Ohio law enforcement over his many diss tracks against them …
How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect's New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect’s New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

Attorneys for Brian Cole Jr. argue Trump’s previous pardons should also apply to him …
New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders and Karreuche Tran have been romantically linked since July 2025, but nothing concrete has ever been shared. Until now! …
The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown spoke out on why content creators deserve to be in elevated spaces like the Oscars. But some journalists aren’t seeing eye to eye with her stance …
Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee just moved to impeach AG Pam Bondi, marking the second time in March that articles of impeachment have been brought against her …
Farrah From Destiny's Child Responds to Terrence Howard's Dating Claims

Farrah From Destiny’s Child Responds to Terrence Howard’s Dating Claims

Terrence Howard said he had a romantic connection with singer Farrah Franklin years ago. Now, she’s speaking out and telling a different side to the story! …
Black TikToker Claims He 'Scammed' MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

Black TikToker Claims He ‘Scammed’ MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

One Black TikToker allegedly scammed MAGA supporters out of thousands of dollars. Now, his story is going viral …
Michael B. Jordan's Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Michael B. Jordan’s Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Oscar-winner Michael B. Jordan’s former classmate, who used to bully him, is seemingly getting a taste of her own medicine online…yet again …
Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA's Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA’s Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

After 17 months of heated negotiations, the WNBA avoided the first work stoppage in league history by reaching a historic deal with its Players Association …