NEW YORK — Move over, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian: A new face has fans flipping over her grand Met Gala entrance.
According to The Associated Press and Vogue, former UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis, whose Black culture-inspired floor exercises have been going viral since 2020, kicked off the festivities Monday at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with a red carpet tumbling routine as the Brooklyn United Marching Band played “Uptown Funk” and other songs.
“This is how we have fun. This is how we perform,” Dennis told Vogue of the routine, directed by Raja Feather Kelly and Rachel Chavkin. “This is how we get crazy. This is Black entertainment.”
We are live from the 2021 #MetGala with @BKunitedMB. Don't miss a single minute from the red carpet. Here's how to watch, now: https://t.co/IDE1MRB1yF pic.twitter.com/JcywpOb21v
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) September 13, 2021
The 22-year-old, clad in a blue bodysuit by Adidas by Stella McCartney, wasn’t the only gymnast at the gala. Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles, 24, wore an 88-pound gown by Area and Athleta to the event, according to the AP. Meanwhile, Biles’ teammate Sunisa Lee, who won the individual all-around in Tokyo, lit up the red carpet in a shimmery gold top and long skirt.
Always the brightest shining star ✨ The GOAT @simone_biles sparkles on the #MetGala red carpet. #MetInAmerica pic.twitter.com/H0fSKPJZ04
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) September 14, 2021
Another gold for @sunisalee! 🥇 The Olympic gymnast glows on the #MetGala red carpet. #MetInAmerica pic.twitter.com/UE7kmqZrNA
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) September 14, 2021
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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