If 2021’s Met gala had an MVP, it was Keke Palmer. After winning an Emmy for her web series, Turnt Up With the Taylors, on Sunday, Palmer hosted the Met’s livestream the very next day, interviewing every celebrity who made their way up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and making it all look easy. Palmer’s energy and wit added to the night’s lighthearted vibe, and like a true professional, she took the gig seriously. “I’m excited, and I just know it’s going to be fun because I’m genuinely an excitable and curious person,” said Palmer. “I can’t imagine how people are going to be expressing their ideas [about] ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.’”
Palmer’s inspiration for the night? The legendary Diana Ross, whose glittering onstage attire set the tone for fashion in the ’60s and ’70s. “The theme is American independence, and there’s no one better who comes to mind,” said Palmer. “I love Diana. She calls herself ‘The Boss,” and I call myself ‘Big Boss,’ so I thought okay, [she] would be a great person to pull from.” Dressed in the closing look of Sergio Hudson’s spring 2022 collection, Palmer was drawn to the designer’s unabashed glamour. “He’s known for beautiful colors and glam; he does that so well. [It’s] that iconic diva look,” she said. “It was important for me that for my first Met gala I wear something eye-catching, but also something that’s timeless, so when I look back on it 20 years from now, I can say: ‘That could be worn today and still be just as fabulous.’”
The final look captured Ms. Ross’s signatures so well that Palmer received a seal of approval from the icon’s daughter Tracee Ellis Ross. Naturally, every moment was caught by Vogue’s cameras. In this exclusive video, see how Palmer got ready for her big night.
Director: Casey Brooks
DP: Jack Shanahan
Editor: Louis Lalire
Producer: Naomi Nishi
Supervising Producer, On-Set: Alyssa Marino
AC: Victoria Sendra
Audio: Jeff Gaumer
Stylist: Seth Chernoff
Hair: Miles Jeffries
Makeup: Dina Drevenak
Nail Artist: Trenna Seney
Seamstress: Ornela Flamuri
Filmed on Location: The Plaza Hotel
VP, Digital Video Programming and Development: Robert Semmer
Entertainment Director, Vogue: Sergio Kletnoy
Director of Content: Tara Homeri
Showrunner: Lila Benaissa
Production Manager: Emily Yates
Post-Production Manager: Marco Glinbizzi
Production Coordinator: Kit Fogarty
