2001: Destiny's Child
I have to imagine all the people in these groups -- girl and boy -- were delighted when the "dress alike" phase passed. While each of these women has individualized herself in other ways, the thematic dresses are so goofy. Although I suppose you have to admire the precision involved in making sure Michelle's belly button is PERFECTLY evenly framed.
Brandy and Ray J
I can't tell if that's a purse she has belted to her leg, or a napkin.
Mary J Blige
I am VERY worried that, while there is neither hateration nor holleration in her dancery, there ARE wolves.
Xtina
And one jungle cat.
2002: Gabrielle Union
This is a fabulous color on her.
2002: Taraji P Henson
She looks like she's headed to a Britney concert.
2002: Blu Cantrell
And she, a pool party.
2003: LIl' Kim
"CANNONBALL!"
2003: Mya
So many BUCKLES. It would be a cool way to add compartments to your pants -- I suppose those might also be called "pockets" -- but the problem is you could never get anything out of them quickly. If you were a secret agent, you'd be caught before you even got the trick can opener (or whatever) out.
2003: Monica
The boy is hers, Brandy, and so is the the Battle of the Bonus Flap.
2003: Michelle Williams
Stunning. I love this on her.
2003: Vivica A. Fox
That's fun too, and also like a glamorous illustration of indigestion.
2003: La Toya Jackson
If Pinterest had existed then, I think Britney would have had this photo on her own board.
Gwen Stefani
That's the tiniest tuxedo shirt I've ever seen.
2004: Dave Navarro
Sure, Dave. Sure.
2004: Brandy
This needs ONE more round of edits.
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker
This was captioned "Nicole Parker and fiance Boris," but we know Boris from Station 19, among many other things (and his Wikipedia is robust -- Austrian-born, German and Ghanian ancestry, a great-grandparent murdered in the Holocaust, a grandmother who survived in hiding). They are also still married, which is always exciting in this town.
India.Arie
I tried to look up the purse, and whether she had it custom-made, but no dice. I love that orange color on her. I wish the whole thing were one dress, but when DON'T I.
Gabrielle Union and Chris Howard
I totally missed that she'd been married before she met Dwyane Wade (Chris is a former NFL player). She looks pretty but I miss that vibrant pink on her.
Taraji P. Henson
Aha, here is some!
Angela Bassett
That is gorgeous -- summery and chic and timeless.
Tracee Ellis Ross
This is like a romper from a Pink Ladies sequel called The Lilacs.
2005: Common
Interesting menswear is evergreen. Bravo, sir.
Ciara
I tried to check that this is really her -- she WAS blonde this year and was there in the press room, but in a different outfit. I just sincerely did not recognize her with the dyed hair and eyebrows. The outfit makes her look like a greeter at the Grand Wailea.
Halle Berry
She looks fantastic.
Alicia Keys
Oh, wow, I forgot this (brief) era of knickerbockers where they tied at your kneecap. I think Nelly Furtado wore these, too. It's a LOT along with the tiny zipper and the sheers.
Jada Pinkett Smith
She is glowing. The funky gold-draped top is so good.
Destiny's Child: Bey, K, and M
I love Michelle's dress, and I REALLY love Beyonce's shoes.
Regina King
I wish the boobs in this enterprise had any relation to the rest of it.
Mary J. Blige
I don't LOVE her outfit here but I wonder if she performed in it, rather than wearing it on the red carpet? It looks at least ideal for stomping around onstage. Also her abs are amazing.
John Legend
Professor Legend understands your nervousness about attending his seminar on Hermetic poetry, but he promises he will make it a mellifluous experience.
India.Arie
I would love to see those flowers on a monochrome background.
2006: Thandie Newton
She is just... bonkers lovely.
Beyonce
I BELIEVE this was her big solo year, where she performed "Crazy In Love." She looks a TAD like maybe it's hard to breathe in that, but also, it's great on her.
Missy Elliott
She IS gold, so this works.
Cassie
As dresses with sheer components go, this one is very pretty -- I THINK I can see some scaffolding that's keeping it from shifting into perilous territory? It looks like there's a little something around her hip.
Rihanna
'Twas a simpler time for RiRi.
Jennifer Hudson
This is good, too.
Vivica A. Fox
"Thank you everyone for your wonderful toasts! Be right back in ten minutes for our first dance."
Prince
I miss Prince. I probably should have warned you that he was nigh.