WNBA Stars Embrace the Glamour of the Met Gala
Sabrina Ionescu faced an air of anticipation as she prepared for the prestigious Met Gala at The Surrey, a high-end hotel situated on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Accompanied by her Liberty teammates Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, the trio of WNBA champions, along with Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai, were no strangers to the limelight. However, the Met Gala presents a unique atmosphere that stands apart from their usual engagements with influential figures.
Fashion’s Pinnacle Draws Celebrities
The Met Gala, held annually on the first Monday of May, is recognized as the pinnacle of fashion events, attracting a plethora of celebrities from various fields including fashion, art, sports, and culture to the largest art museum in the Americas. The exclusivity of the event is notable; attendance without an invitation demands a staggering ticket price of $75,000. “You hear about it,” Stewart remarked, “and we were able to actually be a part of it.”
WNBA Presence at the Event Grows
This year marked the third consecutive time WNBA players attended the gala. Brittney Griner made history in 2023 as the first WNBA player to walk the carpet shortly after her release from a Russian prison, while Angel Reese made her own debut last year. The strong representation from the Liberty team at this year’s gala further underscores the growing visibility of women’s basketball. “Attending the Met Gala signifies that we are increasingly stepping into spaces of recognition and that the sport is evolving,” Jones stated. “I’m thrilled to be part of the WNBA during this transformative time where female athletes are gaining the same visibility as their male counterparts.”
A Day Full of Excitement and Preparation
The day was a whirlwind for the players. They arrived at the hotel at 9 a.m. but didn’t make their way to the blue carpet until after 5 p.m. Each athlete donned custom couture outfits crafted by designer Sergio Hudson and styled by Courtney Mays, meticulously designed months in advance to align with the gala’s theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” As they traversed the carpet, the overwhelming flashes of cameras added to the excitement and nerves, with the players stopping to pose at various points leading up to the museum’s entrance.
Star-Studded Interactions Inside the Gala
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, the trio received a warm welcome from Pharrell Williams and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Inside, they explored a new exhibit focused on black dandyism, set to open to the public soon. The players also mingled with other guests, with Stewart eagerly anticipating encounters with Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, and Wintour herself, even extending an invitation to Anne Hathaway for a Liberty game later in the season. Ionescu expressed her excitement over meeting Omar Sy, the star of the Netflix series “Lupin,” and had the chance to interact with renowned figures like Serena Williams and Simone Biles, whom she referred to as “female icons” she has long admired.
Memorable Conversations and Performances
During the event, Jones enjoyed conversations with celebrities including Megan Thee Stallion, Zendaya, and Coco Jones. “I was engaging with everyone,” Jones shared. “I found myself just chatting around the cocktail area.” As the evening progressed, the gathering moved into a larger hall for dinner, featuring performances by Usher and Stevie Wonder. Reflecting on the experience, Ionescu noted, “The most rewarding aspect was sharing this moment with my teammates and Clara. It was a remarkable experience from start to finish, being surrounded by powerful individuals across various professions who have made significant marks in their fields.”
