The 'Black Panther' Premiere Had Theaters Sprinkled With 'Coming To America' Realness
When it came to last night's Black Panther movie release, black people didn't just do it for the 'gram, they did it for the culture.
Today, Marvel's Black Panther officially hits theaters, but all this week, select guests and fans alike had the pleasure of taking in advanced screenings and of course, last night's late show.
Since the release of the official trailer back in fall, as promised, the Black Twitter conglomerate was sure to dress in their finest African-inspired attire and pop culture cosplay (Coming to America was clearly the popular costume choice!).
Check out some of our favorite looks below:
1. Yvonne Orji ("All Black Attack")
Pow, tadow, watch out now! Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji put the "war" in wardrobe in this all black fit, equipped with a high heels and a high kick. You can tell she was ready!
2. June Ambrose (Couture Come-Thru)
So fur real! Celebrity Stylist June Ambrose is where couture and culture meets with this royal look equipped with detailed fur. Fancy!
3. Cosplay Slay — Get into These Lion Kings
Oh, you thought the Black Panther royal slayage was limited to just women? Nope— the men came out to play too, equipped with faux lion fur and all. The popular Coming to America characters of choice to impersonate where none-other-than King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones) and Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy).
4. Prince Akeem and His Team with the Royal Flyness
We repeat, the men did not come to play on this unofficial holiday known as the Black Panther movie premiere. This attendee also tapped into Coming to America for style inspiration, and came equipped with rose-bearers and all.
5. Walking to Wakanda
#SquadGoals and #StrollGoals! Talk about stepping up your game. This group of friends were spotted at the Magic Johnson theatre in Harlem, New York and did not merely walk into the theatre, they strutted in for the win.
6. Vintage Black Panther
Sometimes less is more — and that's definitely the case with this fashion statement. This movie-goer may have opted out of rocking elaborate Afrocentric attire, but he embodied this classic "Black Panther Party" activist look, and channelled his inner Huey P. Newton by accessorizing with a power fist and beret. Power to the people.. and the panther!
7. Real Queens Wear Crowns #IssaWrap
On top of the bomb clothing choices of fans, we lived for the girlies who rocked multiple head wraps and pieces to the premiere, including this movie-goer, who flawlessly matched hers with her outfit.
8. Royal Crown Showdown
Get you a friend who will hold your veil, train, cape thingy whatever! This movie-goer gave us all types of "Black Female Superhero" goals with this one!
9. Going Hard in the Paint
This woman was sure to go beyond a winged liner, and slayed her beat face with some tribal-inspired accents added to her makeup look. Get into the dress, wrap and accent fur though. Yes!
10. Sista-Sista
Double the dopeness! When you and your bestie link up to slay Black Panther. Go off ladies.
11. It's a Black Panther... Party!
I mean, people not only made statements with their fashion, but they were sure to make a statement with their actions too. Check out this amazing entrance up the steps to their seats. We live!!
It's safe to say that last night, theaters were head to toe, wall to wall #BlackFolkMagic, and the numbers proved it. Not only did Black Panther bring in over $25 million opening night, it's slated to rake in an outstanding $180 million to $200 million this weekend alone, putting it on track to be one of the highest grossing Marvel films in history.
However, Black Panther is more than a movie, it's a movement. Thanks to director Ryan Coogler, Black Panther is made by us and is for us, and couldn't have come at a better time, given the current climate of our community and country.
Whether it's the news or social media, we are constantly seeing Black people fall victim to police brutality, gun violence, and the injustice that follows even after our deaths. In a time when we feel dispensable and invisible, it's important we're portrayed as invincible.
For once, we are not the victims, but the victors.
And while one might argue that Black Panther is, in the end, merely a fictional superhero flick, the sense of inspiration and hope it provides to its viewers, is all too real.
So yes, get dressed in your very best and go see Black Panther for both the customs, and the culture. #ForeverWakanda
A modest goddess who keeps it humble between mumbles. I'm a journalism graduate with a HERstory in digital media, print and radio. Roll the credits: Power 96, VH1, xoNecole, EBONY, SOHH. Deemed "Top 20 Women in Media" by Power 105. Bronx made me, Broward raised me.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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