Megan Thee Stallion just body-odied the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet.
The rapper looked savagely stylish when she stepped out at New Jersey's Prudential Center on Sept. 12, rocking a black mesh column dress with boning details—custom by Brandon Blackwood—for the big night. Always one to push the fashion boundaries, she paired the daring, lingerie-inspired look with a massive collar choker necklace. (See all the red carpet arrivals here.)
Megan's head-turning arrival comes ahead of her and Cardi B's highly anticipated debut performance of their new single "Bongos." Released on Sept. 8 alongside a music video directed by Tanu Muino, the upbeat track marks the duo's first collaboration since 2020's "WAP," which earned five MTV VMAs nominations at the 2021 ceremony.
According to Cardi, the eye-popping visuals—which feature the two rappers twerking in colorful and extravagant outfits—cost $2 million to produce. "This video is just very beautiful," she said during a recent appearance on Way Up, before explaining its hefty budget. "Of course, the video looks very expensive—it was expensive to do."
Since she and Megan wanted to keep the project a secret from the paparazzi, 20 guards were hired just to patrol the video's Malibu set. Cardi also said she and her two-time collaborator listened to the track using special earpieces to avoid having it played out loud, and that geofencing was deployed around the area to alert security if anyone tried to leak behind-the-scenes footage.
"This type of stuff cost a lot of money for the videos and rehearsals every day," she remarked. "It's a lot of work."
And it's a sentiment that Megan shares. Shortly after the video's premiere, the 28-year-old posted photos of the elaborate, emerald-colored 'fit she donned in the visuals and wrote on Instagram, "Thee way they watch me need to be monetized."
To see Megan and more stars at the 2023 MTV VMAs, keep reading.
Nicki Minaj
In Dolce & Gabbana.
Taylor Swift
In Versace dress and Ariel Saidian, Anita Ko, and Maria Tash jewelry.
Cardi B
In Dilara Findikoglu.
Shakira with sons Milan & Sasha
In Versace.
Demi Lovato
Olivia Rodrigo
In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Doja Cat
In Oscar De La Renta.
Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini
Her in Mônot.
Selena Gomez
In Oscar de la Renta dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Megan Thee Stallion
In Brandon Blackwood.
Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick & Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC
Emily Ratajkowski
In Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Melissa Kaye jewelry.
Dove Cameron
In Coach dress and Simon G jewelry.
Tiffany Haddish
In Jason Wu.
Charli D'Amelio
In Shushu/Tong.
Lil Nas X
In Palomo Spain with Bible bag by Aylah Gallardo.
Tinashe
Sabrina Carpenter
Saweetie
In Area.
Dixie D'Amelio
In Maticevski.
Sofia Carson
In Alexandre Vauthier.
Bebe Rexha
Madelyn Cline
In Givenchy.
Anitta
In Schiaparelli dress and Gianvito Rossi shoes.
Coco Jones
In Moschino.
Nelly Furtado
Karol G
In Ashi Studio dress and Jacob & Co. jewelry.
Offset
Chlöe Bailey
In Roberto Cavalli.
GloRilla
In David Koma.