Five months into herRuPaul’s Drag Racereign,Symoneis running with the big wigs.
“I wanted to feel glamorous, gorgeous, stunning, but I wanted to be me!
“He put my brand and my aesthetic through his lens.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner Symone referenced Lil Kim at the Met Gala 2021.Cindy Ord/MG21/Getty Images; KMazur/WireImage
For the hair, I wanted elements of Freaknik in it.
The inspiration was definitely the Moschino Barbie and Lil' Kim [for the hair]!”
And freak her fellow celebs, she did.
Symone on the Met Gala 2021 carpet.Mike Coppola/Getty Images
“She said, ‘Thank you!
‘That got me, that was my moment.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Miss Symone, are you trying to give us all a heart attack this week?
SYMONE:Not trying, but if I did, I’m sorry!
How are you feeling, all the way up there at the top of the world?
It feels pretty good.
It’s crazy, all this stuff happened at one time!
It’s an amazing feeling, it’s a great high.
How did your grand appearance come together?
Jeremy Scott called me over to his studio.
I just thought it was a regular old day like we were going over to pull something!
He sat me down and said, “I want to ask you something.
Would you like to go to the Met Gala with me?”
Like, yes, absolutely!
I was on the verge of tears so I had to keep it together…
I think it was in May, so it’s been a while.
I had to keep it under wraps for a long time.
Was this the look you had in mind from day one or did you cycle through different options?
He did a sketch and sent it over, and it was the one from day one.
No complaints, no critiques!
That was the vision, going back and forth.
What were your notes to him in those initial conversations about how you wanted to feel?
I wanted to feel glamorous, gorgeous, stunning, but I wanted to be me!
He put my brand and my aesthetic through his lens.
For the hair, I wanted elements of Freaknik in it.
The inspiration was definitely the Moschino Barbie and Lil’ Kim!
How long did it take to get ready?
The Met is an all-day affair!
It was an all-day process.
The dress was 20 pounds because it was metal mesh, all individual chains!
Big, heavy dress for a stunning moment.
I think American fashion is broad.
It’s made of so many different people.
It’s individual but diverse.
Jeremy is an American designer and did what he wanted.
When he said that, it came together for everyone.
We came from the perspective of wanting to be glamorous, stunning, Barbie, but me.
That’s what American fashion is in how people dress themselves.
Are there any Easter eggs about the look that people haven’t picked up on yet?
That it weighed 20 pounds, and it took about three people to get me into that dress!
[Laughs] I don’t think people realize how heavy that dress is!
It was a stunningly heavy dress.
I think I also saw a photo ofGigi Goodein the room with you.
Did you have a moment with her, after you were all dolled up and glam?
Did she say anything meaningful to you?
She brought the vision for the hair to life, as she always does!
Did you remember lashes this time?
Because you spilled that tea on how you accidentallydidn’t wear lashes to the season 13 finale.
[Laughs] Yes, I did!
And I put mascara on this time, too.
I was extra prepared, thank you, sis!
What’s the best reaction or message you’ve received from friends or family today?
Anyone and everyone who saw me at the Met!
People gasping or knowing who I was, period, that was a beautiful moment.
What really got me was my mom.
She’s very proud of me.
That’s what gets me the most.
What was the wildest celebrity interaction you had inside the event?
Her energy is so loud and fun and infectious.
Oh, hold on, stop to pause, I got to meet Whoopi Goldberg!
I got to go up to her.
I said, I’m taking this moment, I don’t care how I look.
What did she say?
She said, “Thank you!
[Laughs] That got me, that was my moment…
I always get so nervous asking for a picture!
So, I’ll just have the memory.
How did this moment feel, being on one of the biggest red carpets in the world?
I was like, this is insanity!
I’m the first reigning queen to walk that red carpet.
I was very humbled by it.
A lot of people don’t get it.
I was in awe of the magic in the moment.
And now you and Gottmik were announced as part of the cast of the upcoming Savage x Fenty show.
Did you have a moment with Rihanna, too?
I went over to her and I said, “Hello, hey diva!”
and she said, “They let you in?
They let your ass in, huh?”
I said, “They sure did, they let me in, girl!”
She said, “Ok, turn around, you look good!”
She of course looked amazing; it was just two only girls talking to each other.
The only girls in the world, darling!
Can you tease what we can expect from the Savage x Fenty show?
My goodness, you know I signed an NDA so there’s not much I can say, honey!
But you know it’s always going to be a good time.
We’re going to be pumping runways and bridges, I’ll say that!
