“If it’s custom, where’s your sketch?! Tell the truth!”
Law Roach read the room for filth with this resounding statement as one of the special celebrity judges for Strength Of A Woman’s Purpose Ball: Bridging The Gap. Held on Sunday (May 14), Mary J. Blige, Pepsi, Live Nation Urban, and Gilead Sciences partnered with the House of Balenciaga’s Miss Lawrence for the incomparable event to spotlight the LGBTQ+ community’s impact. The event also aims to highlight “the disparities of access and equity in healthcare for Black and LGBTQIA+ communities.”
With the tragic rise of Black trans women being murdered in Atlanta, the communal event felt particularly necessary. Legends and rising stars from several ballroom houses including the House of Balenciaga, House of Garçon, House of Margiela, and House of Mugler were given their flowers and competed for an estimated $60,000 in cash prizes across various categories.
“It’s all about love. This festival is about love and everybody is a part of Mary J. Blige’s world,” the Queen of Hip Hop Soul shared ahead of the ball. “Most of my fan base are LGBTQ. They are a huge part of everything. They’re part of our life and we love them. [The ball represents] freedom, you know. Freedom for everyone. And just love, light and understanding—just everybody just loving on each other. Yeah, that’s really it. Of course it’s a big thing. It’s fashion. It’s all this stuff. But for me, the most important thing is unity. Us coming together and loving each other—period, the way God loves us. Unconditionally, you know?”
Whatever one could think the ball would be—as seen on Pose or otherwise—it was even better to experience in real time. Roach’s proverbs aside, the colors were vibrant, the shade was direct, the reactions were priceless, and the lemon pepper wings were divine.
The ruthless competition sparked disgruntled retorts as terms like “custom” and “1 of 1” infuriated judges, but…
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