Black is so damn beautiful.
With Fashion Week, the VMAs and Monday night's Met Gala, Black celebrities got a chance to strut their stuff and floss their fashion sense on the red carpet. And whoever said it was all about millennials lied to you. The prestigious gala has evolved from an exclusive event to one ushering in the new world of young social media celebrities. Fashion influencers have been attending since 2015, from YouTube sensation Liza Koshy to beauty influencer Camila Coelho and, last night, digital natives like Addison Rae and Jackie Aina made an appearance.
For our favorite Insta and TikTok influencers that didn't make it on screen last night, they need a whole moment, because honey, they're fly. So fly that we made a list. Check out 10 digital influencers we wanted to see at the Met Gala.
1. James Henry
Not only is James Henry handsome and debonair as ever, but he also has great fashion sense. Can you imagine him in a three-piece, double-breasted tuxedo, or maybe a long trench coat, open shirt and top hat? Stop it.
Henry is the sole producer, writer and editor of hundreds of serious and comedic skits, reels and videos on Instagram and TikTok, so much so that he acquired the attention of Forbes. What has us impressed is not only his business sense, but his abs, and we need that in the next James Bond.
2. Nikki. Meghan. Shay. Brandy
We can't get enough of these fly girls from Houston. There's so much melanated beauty radiating!
Whether it's ruffles or roses, this crew jet sets across the globe in stylish looks and always turns heads. Last seen at NYFW, this gorgeous group knows a thing or two about making people stop and stare. They also influence Black women and girls to be bold, and we need more of that at the Met. Check out their fashion brand, Influencing in Color.
3. Kimberly Douglas
Kimberly Douglas not only should have made an appearance at the Met Gala, but she should be making all the gala dresses from now on.
Douglas is a self-taught designer, artist and model whose work went viral in a matter of minutes after she debuted her DIY photoshoots on Instagram. Just look at these gorgeous shots! These avant-garde looks are begging to be captured on the red carpet and we stan this brilliantly creative queen.
4. Dtay Known
With nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers and millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, 23-year-old comedy creator Dtay Known isn't just funny and skilled at parodies and reaction videos, he's overall a whole mood. I mean, can you imagine Dtay in a bow tie? C'mon, fam. We're hoping and praying to see these dimples and cheekbones at the gala soon.
5. Armiel Chandler
As an award-winning filmmaker, director, writer and content creator, Armiel Chandler is making a statement across social media. Chandler prides himself on making content that is accessible and inspiring for Black youth, and he does so while serving looks! You may have seen his work, “Je Suis Noir” (I Am Black), which was featured on NBC, Tribeca Film Festival, SiriusXM Radio and Blackstar Film Festival.
His swagger is always on a hundred. Armiel would be dripping in gold and fur at the Met Gala, and we're here for it.
6. Shayné and Zhané Stanley aka the Nae Nae Twins
We all know them and the Nae Nae Twins are a must-have at the Met. How fun would that be?
Best known for their 40-second viral dance video to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage (Remix),” the Stanley twins, aka Shayné and Zhané, would be a dynamic duo on the red carpet. The fandom and craze of their dance videos have led to more than a million followers, advertising, promotional contracts and more. These fashion-forward bubbly beauties deserve their time to shine.
7. Cristian Dennis
Known for his fierce crop tops and laid hair, we trust that Cristian Dennis would strut on the red carpet while serving us gender-bending looks. This is a content creator who amassed millions of followers for posting song reaction videos on YouTube and TikTok. He's expanded his content to include tutorials, pranks and Q&As. We need his larger-than-life personality at the Met.
8. Ahliyah Michelle
Ahliyah has been taking Instagram and TikTok by storm with her flawless makeup and beauty tutorials. Her Instagram look with red twists and red eyebrows would be an absolute showstopper on the Met Gala red carpet. The bold neon colors, dramatic eye, popping lip and high ponytails are all giving us life. We can see her in a dramatic statement piece or puffy sleeves. Serve!
9. Wisdom Kaye
This wasn't even a question. Wisdom Kaye's notorious sense of style and knack for fashion is on a whole other level. Wisdom carefully curates each look on his Instagram and creates whole new worlds with his fashion. With over a million Instagram followers and a viral 6-million-strong TikTok presence, Kaye has been named the best-dressed influencer on TikTok by Vogue, and his online presence led to a modeling contract with IMG.
This 19-year-old trendsetter is a must-have at the Met Gala, and we predict many other red carpets to come.
10. Kendra "K.O" Oyesanya, aka Mizzko
Best known for her hard-hitting dance moves and electric choreography, Kendra, aka Mizzko, is a whole vibe and a straight baddie that we know would slay the Met Gala red carpet. We are picturing a long plunging neckline ball gown with flowers or birds flowing off the train and her infamous pink hair. We would be just as satisfied if her orange hair look stopped by and had its own moment as well.
Looking at you, Met Gala.
