If there were a category for the most talked-about red carpet moment, Chappell Roan would have been a top contender. The pop star turned heads at the Grammys in a daring Mugler gown featuring dramatic, gravity-defying nipple-ring details. While the look appeared bold and revealing, a carefully crafted illusion allowed Roan to maintain coverage without compromising the outfit’s striking effect.
The Secret Behind the Illusion
The creative team relied on an unexpected solution to bring the concept to life. Makeup artist and prosthetics specialist Sasha Glasser revealed in a post-Grammys interview with Allure that the rings were attached to professional-grade prosthetic nipple covers. Each piece was custom-painted to match Roan’s exact skin tone, creating a seamless, blurred effect.
“The goal was to make the look feel less exposed while still keeping the artistic vision intact,” Glasser explained, emphasizing that the intention was balance rather than shock value.
An Unlikely Tool: Gum Wrappers
The process required precision and experimentation. To enhance the illusion, the team layered thin pieces of stretch nude mesh behind the prosthetics. Because the rings had to be inserted through both the mesh and the prosthetic pieces before painting, Glasser and stylist Genesis Webb needed a way to keep the hardware clean during testing.
Their solution? Gum wrappers.
The simple material helped protect the rings while the team adjusted placement and durability. Early tests proved challenging, as the prosthetics occasionally tore under tension, but careful refinement ensured the final version would hold up under the pressure of a major red carpet appearance.
A Viral Fashion Moment
When Roan finally stepped onto the carpet, the result was nothing short of unforgettable. A video of the look shared on Billboard’s Instagram generated more than 50 million views within the first 24 hours, quickly sparking conversation across social media.
Roan later addressed the reaction on Instagram with her signature humor, sharing photos and writing that she didn’t even consider the outfit particularly outrageous. She described the design as “awesome and weird,” encouraging fans to embrace creativity and personal expression.
A Night of Style and Celebration
After making her entrance, Roan later changed into a cream-toned ensemble to present the Best New Artist award — a category she herself won the previous year. The 2025 honor ultimately went to Olivia Dean, marking another milestone moment in the ceremony.
With a mix of bold fashion, clever craftsmanship, and a touch of everyday ingenuity, Roan’s appearance proved that sometimes the most unexpected tools can help create the most unforgettable looks.
