Teyana Taylor has never needed anyone’s approval to shut down a red carpet—but when her ex-husband Iman Shumpert dropped a casual “You ate” on her Met Gala look last year, the internet lost it. No bitterness, no shade—just genuine respect for a moment that clearly deserved the hype. And let’s be real, coming from an ex? That’s saying something. So now, as Teyana returns to the Met Gala stage once again, she was nowhere near ready to deliver below expectations, even if it meant stretching the nights.

The 2025 Met Gala was nothing short of a fashion flex—with a whole lot of meaning behind the glam. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” paired with the dress code “Tailored for You,” was all about celebrating heritage, individuality, and the art of getting dressed with purpose. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion, the night paid tribute to the legacy of Black dandyism and the power of tailoring as a form of self-expression. Celebs didn’t just show up to slay—they showed up to say something. And one American singer-actress had the internet in a frenzy.

 Arriving early and making a serious statement, Teyana rocked a custom look co-designed with her longtime friend and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. In a chat with Vogue, she opened up about the intense process behind the look, saying, “Not everybody have the skill to detail. Sleepless nights… yeah, I was resting my little head at night knowing that I was going to be okay, you know, and trusting the process.”

Yep—she was living proof that fashion magic doesn’t happen without a few 3 a.m. design sessions. Plus, when she nods to ‘sleepless nights,’ it wasn’t just as the model preparing to wear the final output.

She tailored the whole thing herself! You know the scrutiny designers come under if a thread isn’t in place. But Taylor was ready to put herself at that risk if it meant she had the opportunity to serve a look for the ages.

And trust us, those sleepless nights were worth it. Teyana’s look? A gray-and-red three-piece pinstripe suit with a fiery red vest, dripping in silver chains and attitude. Her towering Marc Jacobs platforms? Possibly the highest ever worn at the Met Gala. “I’m already not a big dress girl,” she told Vogue, and it showed—in the best way. She topped it off with a dramatic red cape stitched with “Harlem Rose,” a nod to her roots and her 2018 track Rose in Harlem. Statement made, mic dropped.

The finishing touches? Pure drama. Red gloves, a cane, a durag, and a fedora with a feather—plus diamonds and silver from David Yurman that screamed luxury. Carter was right there beside her, carefully arranging the cape like a true queenmaker. “As we embarked on our journey in this country, we were stripped of everything,” Carter told Vogue. “A lot of times the only thing you had was to show it on your body.” Teyana didn’t just show up—she showed out. Fans were quick to crown her a winner, with comments like “she understood the dandy assignment” and “10s 10s 10s across the board.”

Let’s shift gears for a moment and unpack the real story behind Taylor and Shumpert’s split.

Divorce drama and Oscar chemistry: Is Teyana Taylor dating Aaron Pierre?

Taylor and Shumpert’s love story was once the kind people rooted for—but behind the scenes, it was far from a fairytale. Taylor quietly filed for divorce in January 2023, citing “cruel treatment,” and somehow kept it all under wraps until the news broke in late 2023. According to court documents, she claimed Shumpert became jealous of her rising fame, didn’t want her to work after motherhood, yet criticized her for not doing enough. The emotional toll was heavy—so much so that she tried to make it work one last time, but it just wasn’t salvageable.

By June 2024, the divorce was finalized, with Taylor walking away with four luxury homes, high-end cars (yes, including a $300,000 Maybach), a one-time seven-figure payout, and full ownership of her businesses. Meanwhile, Shumpert agreed to $8,000 a month in child support and to cover private school tuition for their daughters. Taylor had already shut down the cheating rumors, posting on Instagram, “Infidelity ain’t one of the reasons for our departure,” and emphasized that they were still a great team when it came to co-parenting.

Now, while the dust settles, Taylor’s love life is making headlines again. She was recently spotted at the Oscars with British actor Aaron Pierre, and their chemistry had people talking. Neither of them has confirmed the relationship, but their red carpet debut definitely turned heads. Fans are already shipping the pair, while others are just happy to see Taylor smiling again. Is this a fresh start for Teyana? It sure looks like it.

As Taylor continues to redefine what it means to be a fashion icon, it’s clear she’s got more than just a stylish wardrobe—she’s got resilience. From the sleepless nights spent designing her Met Gala look to the strength she’s shown after her messy divorce, Taylor proves that she’s not just here to slay the carpet but to live her truth.