entertainment
Netflix Originals in English Coming in June 2023
Netflix is a streaming giant known for its vast collection of TV shows and movies. Like every month, Netflix will be releasing several highly anticipated English language originals, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries in June 2023.
English Language Originals Releasing on Netflix in June
Black Mirror (Season 6)
The popular dystopian anthology series "Black Mirror" is making a comeback, and fans won't have to wait long for it. The show's sixth season is set to premiere on Netflix in June of 2023. The season 6, helmed by director Charlie Brooker, features an impressive cast of actors, including Aaron Paul, Anjana Vasan, Annie Murphy, Auden Thornton, Ben Barnes, Clara Rugaard, Daniel Portman, and others.
In typical "Black Mirror" fashion, the newest season is expected to deliver more dark and disturbing storylines. The show is produced by Brooker and Jones' new production company, Broke & Bones.
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Manifest (Season 4 – Part 2)
Manifest, a popular supernatural drama series, is set to release its final 10 episodes on June 2. The storyline centers around a group of 191 passengers who went missing for five years and returned with supernatural abilities, including "callings" that guide them toward certain outcomes. The predicted Death Date of June 2, 2024, for these passengers, is significant in the show's lore, as it could also lead to the demise of humanity.
Jeff Rake, the creator of this web series, has teased that the first calling in the final batch of episodes will change everything and that an unexpected character, Eagan, may hold the key to the passengers' salvation. Manifest stars Melissa Roxburgh and Josh Dallas, have also made their directorial debuts in the final season.
Tour de France: Unchained (Season 1)
The upcoming documentary series, Tour de France Unchained, is set to premiere on June 8, as announced in the first official trailer released on Le Tour de France’s YouTube channel. The series, which is based on the 2022 race, was first announced in March 2022 as a collaboration between Netflix and A.S.O., the organizer of the Tour de France.
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Produced by Quadbox, a joint venture between Quad and Box to Box Films, the sports film producer behind the popular Formula 1 series Drive to Survive on Netflix, Tour de France Unchained will focus on the trials and tribulations of eight teams participating in the race, including Jumbo-Visma, and the eventual victory of Jonas Vingegaard.
Never Have I Ever (Season 4)
Never Have I Ever has been created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, and its fourth and final season is set to debut on June 8, 2023 on Netflix and will consist of ten episodes. The series is a coming-of-age comedy about a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl named Devi Vishwakumar, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. The fourth season will revolve around Devi and her gang's senior year at Sherman Oaks High School, including prom, college, and more romance.
The series will have a returning cast, including Darren Barnet and Jaren Lewison, along with the new cast Michael Cimino. The drama series is known for its comedic and touching portrayal of Devi's life, including her family, friends, and love life, while also addressing issues such as grief and identity.
Read More: May 2023 New Releases: Netflix Original English Movies, Series
Human Resources (Season 2)
The second season of this web series will be released on Netflix on June 9, 2023. The show is a spinoff of the popular adult animation "Big Mouth" and features the daily lives of creatures such as Hormone Monsters, Depression Kitties, Shame Wizards, and more, as they help humans navigate various stages of life.
This Netflix original series is created and executive produced by Kelly Galuska, Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. The main stars include Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, Aidy Bryant, David Thewlis, Randall Park, Keke Palmer, and Brandon Kyle Goodman, among others.
The second season is said to be the final season of the series, and any remaining storylines will be wrapped up in "Big Mouth's" new episodes. The drama also features guest stars such as Florence Pugh, Miley Cyrus, Eugene Levy, Sam Richardson, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jason Mantzoukas, and Isabella Rossellini.
Read More: 10 Netflix Originals Coming in April 2023
Tom Cruise flies ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ plane during MTV Awards acceptance speech
At the MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday, Tom Cruise, the "Top Gun: Maverick" actor, got an award for best performance in a movie for his role in the 2022 picture, and delivered his acceptance speech in a pre-recorded video that showed him flying a jet.
Cruise thanked viewers for voting for him and stated, "I love you, I love entertaining you," reports CNN.
Cruise piloted the jet personally, according to a Paramount spokesman who verified this to CNN on Sunday. She went on to say that the jet Cruise was flying was his, and that it was the same P-51 Mustang he flew in “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Cruise is known for performing his own stunts, and he even thanked audiences for their support of the blockbuster sequel in a video released to his verified Instagram last year, in which he was shown free-falling from a jet.
Steven Spielberg himself dubbed Cruise the "Savior of Movies," and he ended his speech on Sunday by adding, "See you at the movies."
"Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to the 1986 hit "Top Gun," was the highest-grossing movie of 2022, following years of instability at the box office caused by the pandemic, and is Cruise's first film to exceed the billion-dollar mark.
Overall, Cruise flying a jet to receive an award adds new meaning to the line from "Top Gun: Maverick" character Rooster (Miles Teller), "It's not the plane, it's the pilot," the report concluded.
Popular writer Samaresh Majumdar dies at 81
Renowned author and novelist Samaresh Majumdar died in Kolkata on Monday. He was 81.
He breathed his last around 5:45pm at a private hospital in Kolkata, Anandabazar daily reported.
He had long been suffering from multiple health complications. The Sahitya Akademi award-winning novelist was admitted to the hospital on April 25 due to brain haemorrhage. Later, his respiratory problems worsened.
Samaresh Majumdar is the author of many timeless novels including Uttaradhikar, Kalpurush, Kalbela. He was born in 1942 in North Bengal. He spent his childhood in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
His other notable novels include Satkahan, Tero Parvan, At Kuthuri Noy Dorja, Anurag etc.
Besides winning many national and international awards, Samaresh Majumdar has won the hearts of millions of readers at home and abroad.
‘Deora’: Coke Studio Bangla’s latest featuring Pritom and Islamuddin Palakar is an instant hit
Presenting a high energy, festive song that combines Bangla folk genres ‘Shaari’, ‘Jaari’ and ‘Pala Gaan’ with electrifying urban grooves, Coke Studio Bangla released its fifth track “Deora” on Sunday (May 07) night across all its digital platforms.
Composed, produced, mixed and mastered by Pritom Hasan – one of the most versatile contemporary musicians, “Deora” is dedicated to the boatsmen’s rhythm and energy during ‘Nouka Baich’ or traditional boat race, popular in rural Bangladesh and held during the monsoon and autumn seasons.
The title of the song refers to ‘brother-in-law’ in the regional dialect of north Bengal, and this type of song is performed during the boat races – cheering on the racers – from the banks of rivers.
The biggest surprise in the song has been the superlative performance by Islam Uddin Palakar, renowned in the ‘Pala Gaan’ tradition of Bangla folk songs. “The rich heritage of this genre usually requires elaborative theatrical performances where the actor takes on multiple roles – sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, and sometimes an inanimate object – to present stories to their audience. These performances can take up to 8 hours without a break.” – Coke Studio Bangla describes.
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Pritom jointly penned the lyrics with Fazlu Majhi, a boat racer himself who also performed in the song with his team. The first Bangladeshi Grammy Award-nominated artist Armeen Musa and her ‘Ghaashphoring Choir’ added another dimension to the song.
Describing the fusion in detail, Coke Studio Bangla mentioned on the song’s YouTube description, “…’Shaari Gaan’, usually associated with physical labour, and ‘Jaari Gaan’ known for its motivational lyrics – the perfect combination for a sport that requires the participants to have quick bursts of intense energy for rowing their boat across the finishing line.”
Web series Hotel Relax hits a new record: Bongo
Bongo’s latest web series, Hotel Relax, reached record subscription sales, thanks to its enticing plot and wonderful characters, said a press release.
Hotel Relax, directed by Kajal Arefin Ome, is about a group of unusual individuals like dacoits, cloth merchants, pickpockets, conmen, etc, with intriguing back stories that gather at an infamous hotel - Hotel Relax.
The web series followed the events that took place at and around this hotel. As a result of these individuals, Hotel Relax has shattered records in Bangladesh’s OTT space since its release on April 24.
Hotel Relax was released during Eid-ul-Fitr as a six-episode web series with exclusive payment partner bKash.
The casts of this web series are Purnima, Mishu Sabbir, Ziaul Hoque Polash, Marzuk Russell, Chashi Alam, Parsa Evana, Saraf Ahmed Zibon, Md. Saidur Rahman Pavel, Musafire Syed Bacchu, Abdullah Rana, Schumonn Patwary, Lamima Lam, Shimul Sharma.
Within 10 days of release, it has reached a whopping 3 crore minutes of watch time, 4+ million plays and over 200,000 customers that have paid to watch it. Viewers from over 100 countries have viewed and praised this one-of-a-kind action comedy web series.
Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, Bongo's chief content officer, said, "Hotel Relax is our premium web series, which is released in pay-per-view (TVOD) mode." Since release, it has been performing wow! Hotel Relax has already set some records. Thanks and gratitude to Ome and his team for their passion, sincerity and courage. I am truly hopeful about our content industry's bright future. Welcome to “Hotel Relax."
Director Kajal Arefin Ome said, "Nowadays almost all web series are based on thrills and crime, but I wanted to take another route and entertain my audience with fun. "I think this story hasn't been tried in Bangladesh before.”
May 2023 New Releases: Top 10 Upcoming South Indian Films
Movies have always been one of the biggest forms of entertainment around the world. In recent times, the four industries of South Indian movies- Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada - have become hugely popular among film enthusiasts for their unique storyline, engaging content, powerful acting, creative cinematography, etc. Let’s take a look at the 10 most anticipated South Indian films releasing in May 2023.
Top 10 South Indian Movies to Release in May 2023
Dhruva Natchathiram
Dhruva Natchathiram is one of the most hyped South Indian movies of 2023 that started production in 2016. It is a Tamil spy thriller film. Gautham Vasudev Menon directed and wrote the story and screenplay of the film. In this movie the main casts are Vikram, Ritu Varma, and Aishwarya Rajesh.
Vikram played the central character John who is on a New York based undercover operation. John with his team rescues their team leader after his unexplained and mysterious disappearance. The budget for this film is unknown. This movie will be released on 19 May, 2023.
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Custody
Custody is expected to be a blockbuster this year. This movie is an action thriller produced by Srinivasaa Silver Screen. In this film Venkat Prabhu is the director and screenplay writer. Naga Chaitanya Akkineni is in lead role along with Arvind Swamy and Krithi Shetty. Priyamani, Sarathkumar are playing the supporting roles.
The movie was filmed in both Telugu and Tamil languages at the same time. The budget for this movie is approximately Rs 30 crore. It is dated to be released on 12 May, 2023.
Ugram
According to expectations, the upcoming film "Ugram" is anticipated to become a blockbuster hit this year. This movie is an action thriller produced by Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi. In this film Vijay Kanakamedala is the director and screenplay writer both.
Allari Naresh is the lead actor, with Mirnaa and Indraja also featuring in the film. Additionally, Sharath Lohithaswa and Shatru will be playing supporting roles. The amount of money allocated for the production of this movie is around Rs 20 crore. "Ugram" is set to release on May 9th, 2023.
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Hanuman
Hanuman, a Telugu superhero film, is produced by Primeshow Entertainment. The movie is both written and directed by Prasanth Varma. Teja Sajia plays the main role as Hanuman. Supporting cast includes Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Raj Deepak Shetty.
The story is set in an imaginary village called Anjanadri. The plot is inspired by and dedicated to Hindu God Hanuman. This film has a budget of Rs 17 crore. On 12 May, 2023 the movie is scheduled to be released in Telugu along with ten different dubbed language versions. Furthermore, it will be available on online platforms like Zee5.
Rama Banam
Telugu film Rama Banam offers a blend of action, drama, and romance. It is directed by Sriwass and the screenplay is penned by Bhupathi Raja. Vivek Kuchibhotla and T.G. Vishwa Prasad has produced this movie under the name People Media Factory.
The film stars Gopichand, Dimple Hayathi, Nassar, and Jagapathi Babu in the lead roles, while Vennela Kishore, Ali, Raja Ravindra, and Sapthagiri are in supporting roles. The budget for the production of this movie is not disclosed. The audiences can enjoy the movie from 5 May 2023.
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Concerts returning after Eid with 'Rock N Rhythm 3.0: Tribute Fiesta'
Showcasing heartfelt tribute to internationally popular bands across the world, a special concert titled 'Rock N Rhythm 3.0: Tribute Fiesta' is going to be held on Friday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.
Being organised by Adventor Communications, the concert promises to be the ultimate music extravaganza, with a blend of contemporary music to suit every taste.
The event will feature live performances by Artcell which will pave its ‘Tribute to The Legends’, Nemesis will cover Coldplay and Incubus, Cryptic Fate (Iron Maiden), Arbovirus (Linkin Park, Green Day), Powersurge (Metalica), Indalo (Audioslave), Mechanix (Alter Bridge, Pantera), Karnival (Radiohead, Nirvana), Ionic Bond (Eluveitie Children of Bodom), Echoes (Pink Floyd), Unmaad (AC DC, Guns n' Roses) and Shonar Bangla Circus will play tributes to Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley.
“Rock N Rhythm” was always focused on the next-gen lineups with their creative charisma. In this musical event, Bangladeshi mainstream bands will cover the songs of renowned international bands along with their own songs, the organisers informed the media.
The concert is going to be held at ICCB Hall 4 and the gate will be opened at 1 pm. The live performances will begin at 2:30 pm.
Tickets for "Rock N Rhythm 3.0" are available for purchase on www.tickify.live. More information about the event, including the full lineup of performers and schedule, is available on the Facebook Page of Adventor Communications.
Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss reveal pregnancies at Met Gala
Move over Instagram (or Snapchat) — the Met Gala was the place to announce pregnancies Monday night, at least if you're Serena Williams or Karlie Kloss.
The tennis legend and supermodel each revealed their pregnancies in interviews on the Met Gala's not-so-red carpet. Williams' announcement had particular poignance given that she stepped away from tennis last year, saying she had to in order to have a second child.
“Believe me,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion wrote in an August essay for Vogue magazine, “I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.”
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Williams was also afforded more agency in announcing her pregnancy this time, sharing the news alongside her husband Alexis Ohanian in an interview with Vogue livestream host La La Anthony. The first time around, Williams publicly posted a picture in profile on Snapchat, captioned "20 weeks" — which she said was an accident.
Williams, 41, also said in her Vogue essay that she wanted to focus more on her business interests. Their daughter, Olympia, is now 5.
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Kloss, 30, sporting black hair, shared her pregnancy earlier in the night in an interview with another Vogue livestream host, Emma Chamberlain, prompting squeals of delight and an offer to babysit from the influencer.
Kloss and husband Josh Kushner also have a son, Levi, who was born in March 2021.
Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K. in pearls
Rihanna shut down the Met Gala carpet Monday encased in white camellias on a jacket with a long train gown. Janelle Monáe dropped a bulky coat to reveal a see-through cage and Jeremy Pope walked in a 32-foot cape emblazoned with the visage of Karl Lagerfeld.
In the spirit of Lagerfeld himself (he was not often on time), Rihanna and her Valentino couture had the carpet to themselves save her partner, A$AP Rocky, who wore a red tartan skirt over crystal-studded jeans with a train of his own. They showed up well past everyone else.
Around her neck was a short Bulgari necklace in Akoya cultured pearls and pearl-shaped diamonds.
Lagerfeld was the honoree at the A-list gala with many in the crowd of about 400 dressed in vintage looks from the fashion houses where he worked during a career of more than 60 years.
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But elegant wasn't entirely the hallmark of the evening. Jared Leto dressed as Choupette, Lagerfeld's beloved fluffy cat. Lil Nas X went full cat covered in crystals by Pat McGrath and Dior Men.
Bad Bunny showed up late in bright white from head to toe with a long cape also adorned with camellias, a Coco Chanel motif embraced by Lagerfeld. Monáe’s look, with a black sparkly leotard underneath, was made by Thom Browne.
Cardi B first donned pink then switched to a full black ballgown with, you guessed it, camellias. Up top, she said, “is giving Karl, the house of Chanel and Karl at the same time.” It was a men's white collar shirt accent with a black men's tie. The outfit in honor of Lagerfeld was done by an up-and-coming British design house, Chenpeng Studio.
“The Met Gala dress code was ‘in honor of Karl’ and guests definitely understood the assignment,” said Alison Cohn, deputy fashion news editor for Harper's Bazaar. “They referenced the many signatures Karl Lagerfeld developed over his six-decade plus career.”
Many used boucle fabric (Teyana Taylor's Thom Browne suit and Anne Hathaway's Versace safety pin number). Also adorned in camellias were Emily Blunt in a Michael Kors blouse and Adut Akech in a Carolina Herrera gown.
Dua Lipa walked in a white Chanel ballgown from the fashion house’s archive and Nicole Kidman chose a look Lagerfeld himself made for her 20 years ago.
And there were some bombshells: Serena Williams wore a flapper Gucci look when she announced she's pregnant with her second child.
Lipa, a gala co-chair, wore a Tiffany & Co. diamond around her neck. She called her cream-colored dress, by Chanel from 1992, “very, very special” as it has been on her mood boards.
Claudia Schiffer wore the gown on the runway for its debut, although hers had a matching hat. Lipa's necklace in platinum included a center diamond of more than 200 carats.
Nicole Kidman said it was Lagerfeld who ignited her fashion spark. She wore a pale pink gown created by Lagerfeld for a Chanel No. 5 commercial she starred in. It's adorned with 3,000 silver crystals for the ad directed by Baz Luhrmann.
“I’m very grateful to wear it,” she told The Associated Press. “He was so much a part of my life, as were his whole team. He was the one really sort of shepherded me … in terms of my love of fashion.”
Kidman topped off her look with Harry Winston diamonds.
“My favorite look was Nicole Kidman's ethereal feathered sequin Chanel gown. Typically stars wear new couture straight off the runway or have a custom look commissioned. It was a lovely statement about sustainability, proving that beautifully hand-crafted pieces never go out of style,” Cohn said.
Kim Kardashian, meanwhile, went with loops and loops of pearls all over her Schiaparelli look. And Cardi B went big in pink, complete with a feathery head piece. Brittney Griner wore a warm stone shade in a suit with a long jacket by Calvin Klein, who also dressed her wife, Cherelle Griner, in a sleek strapless column dress in white onyx.
Many in the crowd counted Lagerfeld as a friend or worked with him at Chanel, Fendi, Chloe or one of the other fashion houses where he created.
And many guests wore black to walk the unusual carpet in a line design. It was a color Lagerfeld wore almost exclusively. Black-and-white combos were also plentiful.
Kristen Stewart wore the color duo in a suit with a cropped white jacket. And Cara Delevingne honored her old friend Lagerfeld with a ruffled white shirt look short in front with a train at the back. Ruffled shirts were among Lagerfeld's favorites.
The classic colors weren't for Viola Davis. She walked in a stunning neon pink strapless gown with long feathers at the bodice.
Frenchye M. Harris, CEO and founder of the online fashion site The Black Fashion Movement had one word for Davis: “Gorgeous!”
She called Anne Hathaway's Chanel-inspired but Versace-created look with the pins and camellias at the breast “super cool and a great marriage between the brands.”
Gigi Hadid wore Givenchy in black with feathers, a drop waist and sheer train in tulle. It took more than 300 hours to make. Kendall Jenner was also in black, sans pants. She wore a sparkly leotard with long sleeves that has pieces doubling as a train. On her feet were kinky, towering black boots, all courtesy of Marc Jacobs.
Jenner's high white collar was a nod to those worn by Lagerfeld. Her hair was in a high ponytail.
Rita Ora was also in black, a stunner of a peekaboo sheer look from Prabal Gurung. It was silk tulle with corset detailing and sexy draping in chiffon. One shoulder was dropped.
Margot Robbie, who stars in this summer's “Barbie” live-action film, wore a 1993 Chanel gown in black that Cindy Crawford first wore on a runway. Robbie said she was the last Chanel ambassador to be handpicked by Lagerfeld.
“I feel really great in it. It's an honor," she said.
The invitation-only gala earned $17.4 million last year for the museum's Costume Institute, a self-funding department with a budget dependent on the gala's success. The price of attending went up this year to $300,000 for a table and $50,000 for a single ticket.
The guests from fashion, film, music, theater, sports, tech and social media were asked to dress “in honor of Karl” by gala mastermind Anna Wintour, a close Lagerfeld friend who first signed on to the event in 1995 and took over the helm in 1999.
The party coincides with the Costume Institute's blockbuster spring exhibition: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
American fashion was last year's vibe. It followed gilded glamour and white tie. Camp was the theme in 2019, producing what is considered one of the wackiest displays of dress by the celebrity crowd.
Lagerfeld worked for Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, Jean Patou, Balmain, his own brand and more.
This year’s five hosts include Wintour, as usual, and also Michaela Coel, longtime Chanel ambassador Penélope Cruz, and recently retired tennis superstar Roger Federer.
Cruz looked like a bride with a sheer hood on her white Chanel belted gown with silver details from spring/summer couture collection in 1988.
Asked how he got to be a Met Gala co-chair, Federer said it helps to know Wintour. He said it makes sense for athletes to be at the gala because they’ve become a bigger part of the fashion world in recent years.
“I think the sports people have gotten more and more fashionable,” Federer told the AP. “We’re fortunate to get onto covers much more frequently nowadays. Before it was always the models, the good-looking people, not the athletes.”
Fendi, where Lagerfeld worked for more than 20 years, was also represented. Suki Waterhouse wore a 2019 Fendi design by Lagerfeld in silk tulle and delicate flowers and birds on sheer panels.
Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, had been rumored to attend but her humans posted on Instagram earlier in the day the 11-year-old feline was staying put in Paris. Doja Cat's cat-eared hood on a sparkling white and silver-beaded dress was an ode by Oscar de la Renta. She wore prosthetics that gave her a feline face and claws.
Chloe Fineman carried a cat-shaped bag and Emma Chamberlain wore “Choupette blue,” a light blue hue created by Lagerfeld. James Corden also showed up in the shade.
As for Leto, he swapped out his cat costume for a black caped look.
Inside the Met Gala: A furry feline star, a tardy Cinderella
Jared Leto was looking for a place to hang his hat. Er, actually his head.
Leto was walking around the cocktail reception at the Met Gala, not long after his big entrance on the carpet as Choupette, designer Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, in a full-on white fur suit with very real-looking eyes. Once inside cocktails, it was too hot to keep the whole suit on, but he would not abandon the head.
Some friends wanted to check out the head, carried like a war trophy. Rami Malek, for example, and director Taika Waititi, who tried it on.
But what would happen at dinner? Leto said he was going to “find a nice quiet seat, so that Chou Chou can take a little rest.”
Also Read: Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K. in pearls
And so it went at the Met Gala, where an Oscar-winning actor carrying a huge cat head seeking a nap still had to compete with lots of other things, and people, and clothes, for attention.
Here are some moments and scenes from inside Monday's Met Gala:
A LOT TO RECYCLE
As guests entered the Metropolitan Museum's Great Hall, they passed a towering centerpiece — flanked by an orchestra playing tunes — and then climbed the huge staircase up to the receiving line, with hosts Anna Wintour, Michaela Coel, Penéope Cruz, Dua Lipa and Roger Federer awaiting. Last year, the centerpiece and staircase were carpeted with bright pink roses — 275,000 of them. This time it was recycled water bottles. Met officials estimated the number at 100,000, obtained from a recycling plant — and headed back to a recycling plant. It was the inspiration of exhibit designer Tadao Ando.
REMEMBERING KARL
Often, celebrity guests skip the exhibit and head straight to cocktails. This year, museum officials really wanted them to see the sumptuous show on Lagerfeld — so they helped things along by routing the crowd from the receiving line to the exhibit, with cocktails and dinner down one floor.
The exhibit was indeed more crowded than usual during the gala, and one of the first to visit was Baz Luhrmann. The Australian director had worked with Lagerfeld on a Chanel No. 5 commercial starring Nicole Kidman and had fond memories, saying the designer was constantly working, learning, and creating. He also praised his smarts: “Too often we don’t celebrate the intellect." He was wearing a high-collared, starched white shirt, part of Lagerfeld’s personal uniform, with his Thom Browne ensemble. He recalled visiting Lagerfeld at his home in Biarritz, where, he said. “there was a whole entire room of these shirts.”
BROADWAY REUNION
The Met Gala is filled with stars of film, music, sports, fashion and more, but Wintour also has a fondness for Broadway, and often invites actors from shows she loves to the gala. At this gala, a spot on one side of the airy Charles Engelhard Court became the site of a joyous reunion of Broadway actors. Among the group gathering, laughing and hugging were Josh Groban (“Sweeney Todd”), Phillipa Soo (“Camelot”), Ben Platt (“Parade”), and Jonathan Groff (“Merrily We Roll Along”). Soo called the party “wonderful and whimsical. I feel so lucky to be here with these artists and celebrate another artist.”
For Platt, it was his fifth Met Gala, and he looked like he couldn't believe his luck. “Anna is a huge champion of the theater!” he said. He added that this was his favorite gala because he was able to enjoy it with his friend and co-star in “Parade,” Micaela Diamond.
AN EDUCATION IN FASHION
Platt got a big greeting from Groban, who plays the murderous barber in “Sweeney Todd.” He was at his second Met Gala, and said he appreciated learning about Lagerfeld, the German-born designer who worked in luxury fashion for 65 years until his death in 2019. “It's impossible when you get to an exhibit like this not to appreciate the impact and the inspiration and influence that he’s had on all forms of fashion,” he said. “This is very educational for me.”
TENNIS, ANYONE?
It’s also no secret that Wintour also loves tennis. She’s a fixture at the U.S. Open, and is especially close to Federer, the Swiss superstar who recently retired. A host this year, Federer said he was having a much more relaxed experience at his second Met Gala. “It's a much more relaxed lifestyle now so you can also get really into it,” he said. “I could really look forward to it, prepare for it.” Federer strolled to dinner from cocktails alongside Serena Williams, who also recently stepped back from tennis, and announced her pregnancy at the gala along with husband Alexis Ohanian. Also at the gala was Mary Jo Fernandez, former women’s star and now commentator, who’d brought her college daughter as her date.
AND SOME BASKETBALL
NBA star Russell Westbrook, attending his third gala, said it was still amazing to meet “so many style icons” on fashion’s biggest night. But a key new face from the sport this year was Brittney Griner, who smiled at the cocktail reception when expressing how happy she was to be attending. On the carpet, the WNBA star spoke about helping support families working to free Americans jailed in foreign prisons through the organization Bring Our Families Home.
LETO, STILL CARRYING THE CAT’S HEAD
Actor Leto, never letting go of Choupette’s head, explained that his attachment to Lagerfeld (and the cat) was both personal and professional. “It was done with a lot of love,” he said of the costume. “I knew Karl. And one of the first times I met him I said ‘I am going to have to play you in a movie,’ and he said, ‘ONLY you my love, only you.’ And now we're developing a film. I just feel that if Karl were here, and I saw Karl, in full Choupette glory, he would have the biggest smile on his face."
A CHANCE MEETING IN THE RAIN
Many guests reflected on past associations with Lagerfeld — some of them only one-time encounters. Hugh Jackman explained while sampling the exhibit that he'd met the designer at a dinner and was struck by a man who never stopped, whose ethos was “Keep creating, keep creating, keep creating.” Also describing a one-time meeting was rapper Pusha T, like many decked out in Thom Browne, who said he encountered Lagerfeld in Paris, walking out of his store. “He was walking in, I was walking out. I was like ‘OMG Karl, I gotta take a picture.’ He was nice. He took the picture — and then said ‘Its raining on me, I’ve got to go!'”
WAITING ON CINDERELLA
The clock was soon to strike midnight, and Cinderella was yet to arrive at the ball. Well, it felt like midnight. It wasn’t just the crowds outside on Fifth Avenue or the crews on the red carpet that were waiting for Rihanna to show up. Inside the museum, while most guests were well into dinner, a hardy crew of wait staff, photographers, and museum staffers were waiting, too. They listened to screams outside, hoping it signaled Rihanna's arrival — but in one case, it was a roach that caused the commotion.
Finally, the singer showed up, past 10 p.m. as some guests were already leaving dinner. She posed inside in her dramatic Valentino ensemble in white, accompanied by partner A$AP Rocky in a kilt-type layer over jeans, then vanished down a hallway. But Cinderella had finally arrived, and everyone else could consider turning into pumpkins.