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[Pictures] At the ‘Black Panther’ premiere, it’s a regal night of stars and standout looks

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If you’ve ever wondered how kings and queens of the fictional, futuristic nation of Wakanda might dress, look no further than Marvel Studio’s “Black Panther” premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night. In keeping with the “royal attire” theme dictated by the evening’s invitation, stars and attendees hit the purple-hued carpet in a kaleidoscopic display of regal, Africa-inspired fashion.

Taking cues from the film’s costumes (which were envisioned by Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter), Lupita Nyong’o channeled her warrior character, Nakia, while wearing a purple, custom-made Atelier Versace chiffon gown with gold metal hardware harness details reminiscent of armor. Chadwick Boseman, who stars as Wakandan ruler T’Challa, looked every bit the part in a black and gold blazer by Emporio Armani.

TOPSHOT-US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-PREMIERE-BLACKPANTHER
Lupita Nyong’o at the “Black Panther” premiere. Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images
US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-PREMIERE-BLACKPANTHER
Lupita Nyong’o Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images

“We talked about what the movie meant and how strong it was and wanted to give that same powerful feel to Letitia’s look on the red carpet,” says the stylist, who drew upon her own Nigerian roots while researching the theme before landing on the ethereal, embellished number for Wright. “Letitia plays such a riveting character and she brings a light to the role. Keeping her fresh and young was the idea.”

But it wasn’t just the cast who took the dress code to heart for the occasion. Styled by Jason Bolden, “grown-ish” star Yara Shahidi wore a youthful, tasseled white Etro gown and Christian Louboutin sandals, while British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo wore a traditional dashiki. “Insecure’s” Issa Rae also got the warrior memo, opting for a sophisticated, pleated white Rosie Assoulin dress with a rainbow-colored panel, paired with metallic Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

Fresh off the Grammys stage, where she delivered a powerful speech in support of the Time’s Up movement on Sunday, actor and musician Janelle Monáe worked with stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn to put her own spin on the theme while staying true to her own sartorial sensibility that she’s cultivated over the years. That meant “something black and white, but also something sculptural and avant-garde that felt very regal,” explains Mandelkorn, who worked with Monáe to select a look from Christian Siriano’s pre-fall 2018 collection that fit the bill. Dressed in a billowing skirt paired with an architectural top featuring two-tone sleeves, Monáe topped off the ensemble with an Erickson Beamon tribal choker and a traditional black kufi cap embellished with gold embroidery.

“It looks like a crown,” says Mandelkorn. “It was very fitting for the theme.”

More looks on the purple carpet

 
“Black Panther” costar Winston Duke on the purple carpet. At right, “Black Panther” costar Danai Gurira, center, with the Dora Milaje actors at the premiere of “Black Panther” at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Jan. 29. Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney (left); Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett and Daniel Kaluuya

 
“Black Panther” costars Michael B. Jordan, from left, Angela Bassett and Daniel Kaluuya at the film’s world premiere in Hollywood. Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney; Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images

Chadwick Boseman

The Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER
“Black Panther” costar Chadwick Boseman at the world premiere of “Black Panther.” Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

Janelle Monáe, Yara Shahidi and Chloe X Halle

 
Janelle Monáe, from left, Yara Shahidi and Chloe X Halle at the premiere of “Black Panther.” Rich Polk / Getty Images for Disney; Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney (center and right

Letitia Wright, Issa Rae and David Oyelowo

 
“Black Panther” costars Letitia Wright, from left, Issa Rae and David Oyelowo on the purple carpet at the “Black Panther” premiere in Hollywood. Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney; Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney; Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images

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Marz Starlife Makes A Striking First Impression With Healing

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Every once in a while, a debut comes along that doesn’t just introduce an artist – it reveals a soul. Marz Starlife’s first EP, Healing, is exactly that. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, and it doesn’t pretend to have everything figured out. Instead, it leans into the messiness of real life – the mistakes, the heartbreak, the isolation – and tries to make sense of it all through music. Born in Jamaica, raised in the UK, and now back on the island, Marz brings a cross-cultural perspective to his storytelling, but at the heart of Healing is something deeply human: the need to reckon with the past in order to move forward.

Across the project’s standout tracks, Marz doesn’t hold back. In Bad Memories, he opens up about years lost to incarceration, fractured relationships, and the weight of regret. “Spent four birthdays locked up, baby remember me please,” he raps, in a tone that’s both matter-of-fact and aching. The production stays subdued and moody, letting the lyrics breathe. There’s no glorification of the streets here, only reflection. He admits to being young and caught up in the chase for fast money, but he also shows growth, making it clear that he’s not the same person he once was. It’s a track that lingers, not because it tries to be flashy, but because it feels real.

The title track, Healing, is where everything clicks. Marz taps into something almost spiritual as he raps, “I turn pain into power, darkness to light.” The song is layered with poetic lines and subtle emotional shifts, balancing toughness with tenderness. There’s a determination to rise above, even when the scars still sting. He reflects on his upbringing, his time in the streets, and the inner battles he continues to fight. “No shrink can understand how I’m feeling,” he says, and honestly, it’s hard not to believe him. The pain here is too specific, too lived-in. But instead of letting it swallow him, he uses it to fuel something greater.

What’s refreshing about Healing is that it doesn’t try to fit neatly into any one genre or narrative. Marz blends elements of UK hip-hop, Jamaican rhythm, and emotional rap into something that feels uniquely his own. He’s not here to be the loudest or the flashiest; he’s here to be honest. And in a world full of over-produced, over-polished music, that honesty stands out.

With Healing, Marz Starlife has given us more than a debut; he’s given us a mirror into his journey, and maybe even our own. Whether you’ve lived through similar struggles or are just someone who appreciates music with depth and heart, this EP is worth your time. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible, and that sometimes telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.

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