Sabrina Ionescu approached Monday with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty as she got ready for the Met Gala at the Surrey hotel on the Upper East Side, accompanied by her Liberty teammates, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
The trio, along with Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai, are no strangers to fame and recognition. Yet, being at the Met Gala is a different experience entirely.
This event is renowned as the biggest night in fashion—a magnet for celebrities of all stripes. Each year, on the first Monday of May, the most influential figures in fashion, art, sports, and culture gather in New York City, making their way to some of the largest museums in America.
Entry to this exclusive event isn’t easy. If you don’t have an invitation, a single ticket will set you back a whopping $75,000.
“It’s something you hear about all the time,” Stewart remarked, “and now we get to actually be part of it.”
This marked the third consecutive year WNBA players graced the event. Britney Griner attended in 2023, making history as the first WNBA player present, while Angel Reese made her debut last year. This year’s attendance further showcases the growing recognition of women’s basketball.
“Being here at the Met Gala… it shows how far we’ve come,” Jones expressed on Wednesday. “It’s an exciting time to be a female athlete and to step into spaces traditionally reserved for our male counterparts.”
The day felt like a whirlwind. They arrived at the hotel around 9 AM but didn’t step onto the blue carpet until 5 PM.
Dressed in exquisite couture outfits designed by Sergio Hudson and styled by Courtney Mays, the players had prepared for months to align with this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailing Black Style.”
Walking the carpet was nerve-wracking, with bright lights flashing in every direction as the players posed at various points along the path to the museum entrance.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, they were welcomed by Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, and Vogue, marking a significant moment.
Inside, they explored a new exhibit highlighting Black dandyism that is set to open to the public soon and mingled with fellow attendees.
Stewart was thrilled to see Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, and even invited Anne Hathaway to an upcoming Liberty game. Ionescu, meanwhile, found herself starstruck upon meeting Omar Sy from the Netflix series “Lupin,” along with Serena Williams and Simone Biles.
Jones enjoyed conversations with Megan Thee Stallion, Zendaya, and Coco Jones. “I was talking to so many people,” she said. “Honestly, I felt like I was just wandering through the cocktail sessions.”
The festivities continued in a grand hall where dinner was served, featuring performances from Usher and Stevie Wonder.
All in all, it was a remarkable evening. “The best part was experiencing it with my teammates,” Ionescu shared. “It was such a beautiful event from start to finish. I was just grateful to be there among so many talented individuals—actors, singers, artists, and designers.”
