Podcast Summary: Black People Love Paramore – "The Met Gala" (May 1, 2025)
Overview
In this lively, insightful, and often hilarious episode, hosts Sequoia Holmes and Ryann Graham deep-dive into the Black cultural experience and perspective on the Met Gala. They cover the significance of the 2025 theme "Super Fine: Tailoring Black Style," discuss the history of the event in pop culture, ponder the challenges non-Black attendees will face interpreting the theme, and dish on most-anticipated celebrity looks. The episode brims with personal anecdotes, pop culture trivia, sharp critiques, and playful banter, balancing affection for Black fashion influence with candid commentary on the intricacies of the Gala's social dynamics.
Main Themes & Purpose
- Spotlighting Black Influence at the 2025 Met Gala: Exploring the significance of a theme centered on Black style and dandyism, and the broader implications for representation.
- Critiquing Pop Culture and Fashion: Navigating the joys and absurdities of being a "couch critic" during the Met Gala, while laughing at cultural moments and fashion faux pas.
- Examining Cultural Appropriation and Celebration: Unpacking the fine lines around fashion, hair, and cultural context for Black diasporic identity, especially with non-Black participants.
- Anticipation and Predictions: Who to watch this year, what moments the hosts look forward to, and a rundown of iconic (and overrated) looks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Met Gala as a Pop Culture Phenomenon
- Accessibility and Critique from Afar
- The hosts love participating as at-home fashion critics, "in full-on sweatpants...refreshing my Twitter timeline." (03:00)
- Discussing how the internet and location (particularly living in LA) has made the Gala more accessible and significant.
- When Did You Start Caring?
- "2018, 2019 is when I think I really was like, oh, people, like, care about [the Met Gala]." – Ryann (03:00)
- Recognition that the Met has become a "household event" in recent years, especially in media circles.
2. The 2025 Theme: "Super Fine: Tailoring Black Style"
- Theme Background & Importance
- The theme is based on a book chronicling Black diaspora fashion from slavery to modern America, including the influence of Dapper Dan and the mainstreaming of Black streetwear. (06:02–06:54)
- Sense of pride: "I do appreciate that Black people are finally getting their flowers in this way." – Ryann (06:57)
- How Will Non-Black Attendees Approach It?
- Real concerns about cultural sensitivity, especially in hair choices and styling:
"Hair is where that boundary starts to creep...Zendaya [got] called out for faux locs, but if Kim Kardashian shows up with locks, she would never get that." – Ryann (08:10–08:51) - Discussion on cultural appropriation vs. appreciation, noting that attitudes vary between American and Caribbean perspectives. (09:07–10:52)
- Real concerns about cultural sensitivity, especially in hair choices and styling:
3. Black Leadership at the Met Gala
- Host Committee Highlights
- For the first time, "all the chair people is Pharrell, Common Domingo, ASAP Rocky, and Lewis Hamilton." (11:21)
- Special note that theme centers Black men’s tailoring and male fashion, a rarity at the Met since the early 2000s.
4. Anticipated Red Carpet Highlights
- Who Will 'Eat' This Year?
- "Teyana Taylor is going to eat." (12:49)
- "Zendaya and Law [Roach], they're going to kill it." (14:25)
- Hoping for strong looks from Rihanna ("if she goes, that lady's pregnant"), Doja Cat, Coleman Domingo, and Janelle Monáe.
- Men in Fashion
- Excitement to see more men step up and experiment due to the tailored theme.
5. Moments & Fashion Critiques
- Memorable/Infamous Moments
- The infamous (possibly fake) Jason Derulo falling down the stairs meme. (13:34–14:16)
- Iconic and Overrated Looks
- Rihanna’s iconic yellow “pizza” dress: Divides the hosts—Sequoia dislikes it, Ryann loves it. (25:03–25:34, 56:35)
- Zendaya’s Joan of Arc look: Praised for theme adherence, even if not her best.
- Solange’s best Met Gala contribution: “...the best thing [Solange] has ever given us to the Met is when she got into that fight [in the elevator].” (27:12)
- Kim Kardashian’s Marilyn Monroe dress (2022): Sequoia praises the look and cohesion; both hosts defend her right to wear it, rejecting the outrage. (54:11–55:42)
- Consistently ‘Nothing’ Award
- Kendall Jenner is described as “the queen of nothing,” with no memorable looks despite constant attendance. (60:36–62:24)
6. Cultural, Economic, and Social Commentary
- The Economics of Attending
- It costs "$70,000 per plate...$340,000 for a table," but celebrities are mostly “sent” by brands and designers. Still, "Anna [Wintour] can go, ‘no thanks.’ She has to approve." (18:44–20:21)
- Anna Wintour's Astrological Sign & Aura
- Lighthearted speculation about what makes Anna Wintour tick: "[She is] a Scorpio...which honestly kind of also makes sense—there’s a bite to that." – Ryann (21:34–21:41)
- The Power and Pressure for Up-and-Coming Attendees
- Noting how new invitees and influencers may struggle with pressure and styling: "If somebody invited me to the Met right now, I wouldn’t know where to start…" (53:07–53:36)
- “It’s very Hunger Games Capitol.” (53:59)
7. Black Designers & Influencers
- Hopes for More Diversity
- "I also hope we see more Black designers," with mentions of Hanifa and Martine Rose. (34:49–35:02)
- Influencers on the Rise
- Dreaming of TikToker Any Given Sunday ("eni") making an appearance, and an open discussion of how influencers are reshaping celebrity and red carpet culture. (31:12–32:33)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Being an At-Home Critic:
“My favorite thing is being a consumer who is very much not fashion forward and sitting back and critiquing these extremely ornate pieces of art. That's my favorite thing.” – Sequoia, 01:53 -
On Non-Black Attendees and the Theme:
"I am curious to see how white people are going to do this theme." – Ryann, 07:03 -
On Cultural Boundaries:
“Hair is where that boundary starts to creep…if Kim Kardashian shows up with locks…she would never get that [criticism].” – Ryann, 08:18–08:51 -
On Anna Wintour’s Control:
“Even if you spend $340,000, you still have to send your guest list in. And Anna Wintour can go, 'no, thanks.' She has to approve.” – Ryann, 20:10 -
On Rihanna’s Yellow Dress:
“Mine definitely is Rihanna’s yellow dress. That is to me easily the most overrated look.” – Sequoia, 56:36 -
On Teyana Taylor:
“Teyana Taylor is going to eat.” – Ryann, 12:49 -
On Who Consistently Gives "Nothing":
“Well, I think the queen of nothing is Kendall Jenner...I think Kendall Jenner, where we were asking earlier. No, it's American fashion. Was that year, but okay. I think there's. Yeah. Big is bad.” – Ryann, 60:36–61:04
Timestamps of Important Segments
- Opening & Met Gala as Event: 00:19–03:38
- Theme Deep Dive + Cultural Significance: 06:02–07:01
- Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation: 07:52–10:52
- Black Committee and History: 11:18
- Anticipated Looks and Favorites: 12:49–15:41
- Red Carpet Iconics and Overrated Looks: 24:17–25:34; 54:11–55:42; 56:35–57:13
- Economics of Attending & Anna’s Approval: 18:44–20:21
- Influencers as the New Celebrities: 31:12–32:33
- Consistently ‘Nothing’ (Kendall Jenner): 60:36–62:24
Structure and Flow
The episode moves fluidly from playful banter to deeper cultural critique, balancing humor ("the queen of nothing is Kendall Jenner") with considered insights on Black representation. The hosts reference personal experiences, pop culture history, social media phenomena, and fashion world oddities—making this episode both entertaining and deeply informative for those interested in Black culture, fashion, and contemporary media.
For More
- Host Sequoia Holmes: @bplppod and @sequoiabholmes
- Host Ryann Graham: @goodguyry
Tune in on May 5 to see if their fashion predictions come true—and join them as they judge next year’s looks from the comfort of their own timelines!