Drowning in Ruffles and Sequins On the 62nd Grammys Red Carpet
Entertainment

Mere days after ousted Grammys chief Deborah Dugan filed a 44-page Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint—which alleged corrupt voting practices, sexual harassment and rape, racism, and gross conflicts of interest within the Recording Academy—a bunch of singers, songwriters, producers, television hosts, and famous people have gathered at Los Angeles’ Staples Center to get their picture taken and clap for a few hours.
Never mind the rampant voting fraud Dugan alleges in her complaint, including secret voting committees filled with board members who represent nominees for the categories they are voting on, or worse, the nominees themselves. Outside the Staples Center, meanwhile, thousands of mourners have gathered for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, who were among the nine people that died in a helicopter crash this morning.
As for Dugan’s allegations, the Recording Academy claims everything is fine, and so, for the night, the gaggle of sequins-bound stars trudging down the red carpet will probably pretend it is fine too.
I’m chained to the sofa and ready to suffer! Here are the arbiters of the night, the ever-terribly dressed red carpet hosts, who insist on ruining my night before it even starts! Alleged fashion expert Brad Goreski donned pleather pants and loafers and a confounding leopard jacket…

…while People’s Choice award-winning podcast host Tanya Rad debuted a shocking spray tan and absurd yellow mermaid-fit gown and Cassie DiLaura attempted sequin. Erin Lim, meanwhile, wore an actually fun bit of white, goddess drapery! (Although, just a note—it would have been more dramatic if the cape cut off at the hip.)

Here are some good things: James Blake wowed me in this oversized Yohji Yamamoto blazer and palazzo pant, but it’s hindered by the various shades of mismatched black. He had the right idea though! (Bangs notwithstanding.) Nao wows in sheer sequins and some really fun hair accessories (rhinestones!) I’d also like to take a moment to shout out Steve Lacy for wearing Rick Owens on the Grammys red carpet. More of this, please!

Nikita Dragun’s sheer extravaganza was could have been interesting—I like the interpolation of bead sizes to give depth!—had the designer opted for a more true-to-skintone “nude” mesh. (You’d think textile makers would have fixed the gap in their production by now!) Jameela Jamil appeared in whatever the hell Jameela Jamil appeared in, only to find herself bookended by conflicting political messages: Megan Pormer rightfully called for the correct thing (although I wish it wasn’t so ugly) while the ever detestable and desperate Joy Villa advocated for….the usual mess…in pleather!

Blake Shelton and not-wife Gwen Stefani, who recently won a “fashion icon” award, look rather boring. And, despite the widely circulated memo, she’s still stepping out in Dolce & Gabbana. How sad! Josephine Relli looks fine, but the dress is too long. (Nice makeup though!) Thankfully, recent Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Esperanza Spalding, cleansed my pores and cured my fashion-induced anxiety. The tailoring is impeccable, the colors floor me, and the shoes are the perfect bookend to the ensemble.

I really hate how much this JoJo dress looks like Fashion Nova. (No shade to the Novahive, but this is the Grammys! Get this lady something to stunt in!) Roberta Flack looks glamorous as hell, Ozzy Osbourne continues to dress like someone impersonating Ozzy Osbourne, and Mereba’s green sheer dress is just ok—you really have to wow me if you’re opting for a bodysuit under mesh. Everyone, please hold my hand and chant with me: Bonnie Raitt! Bonnie Raitt! Bonnie Raitt! I don’t even care that there isn’t anything of note here. It’s Bonnie Raitt!