If your friends don't stan for you the way Michael Rapaport stans for Janelle Monaé, are they even your friends? Monday's Met Gala continues to take headlines by storm as critics pour over the "Camp" fashions that hit the red carpet. Someone who enjoyed watching the event instead of participating in it was actor Michael Rapaport, a voice that has recently been divisive when it's pertained to popular figures in hip hop.
However, Rapaport showed off his supportive side while watching celebrities walk the Met Gala red carpet. His favorite? Janelle Monaé. "Yes, Janelle!" Rapaport says in a video he shared on Instagram. "Hats on hats, b*tch! You win queen!" he shouted. He captioned the clip, "Wink Bish Wink! Hats on Hats on Hats!" The "wink" he was referring to was the top of Monaé's dress that blinked as she posed for photos.
Alexandra Mandelkorn, Monaé's stylist, told Variety that the performer was inspired by iconic artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali and relied on designer Christian Siriano to perfect her look. "The black and white is always a signature of hers, but we also incorporated her love for technology and performance art into the look with the addition of the blinking eye," Mandelkorn said.
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Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few.
In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.
