Sequins and tuxes and smokey eyes made of burnt facts, oh my! On Saturday night, three members of your fearless crew at The Root ventured to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Nerd Prom,” also known as the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Even aside from a surprisingly suspenseful debate on what to wear (a process that we’ll be revisiting in detail here on The Glow Up), it was a very full day. The highlights? A minor wardrobe malfunction; some very candid moments with White House press corps favorite April Ryan (who’ll make an appearance here soon); perhaps the most colorful table in the Hilton ballroom, which we shared with the very friendly folks from Al-Jazeera (no, really); a conspicuously absent sitting president (thank God); and one really, really awkward ending
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How awkward, you ask? I actually felt a twinge of pity for the other team. Just a twinge. Then again, that might have been my stilettos, which were killing me by the time Michelle Wolf took up the gauntlet the stage.
All in all, it was just another exciting day in our nation’s capital! We can debate the merits of the evening’s featured speaker all we want, but since this is The Glow Up, let’s get into the fashion. Remember: This isn’t your average red carpet, filled with celebs and supermodels (though there were a couple in attendance). For the most part, these are well-established journalists, pundits and politicians, and this is their biggest night of the year, so they turn it all the way up.
With that in mind, let’s look at some Nerd Prom lewks:
Sweet in seafoam: Former Sen. Bernie Sanders press secretary Symone Sanders attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Dynasty-level glamour: Political commentator Angela McGlowan and Dr. Nina Radcliff attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
We know you were dying to see what she was wearing (and possibly for that to be a trapdoor in the floor): Kellyanne Conway attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
After the smokey eye, before the fall: Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Bryan Sanders attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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It all began so innocently: Host Michelle Wolf at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Represent: Scion Kelly and Parkland, Fla., shooting survivor and activist David Hogg attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
The establishment: Paul Pelosi and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Because we love a good gown: ABC News’ White House correspondent Tara Palmeri attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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The always outspoken Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D,C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
D.C. and Hollywood insider Marc Adelman and CNN anchorwoman Dana Bash attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Come through, color! Journalist Mariana Atencio attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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A diva in a slightly dizzying print: Singer Santita Jackson attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Journalist Ali Velshi attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle and Chris Matthews attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Radio host Richard A. Fowler attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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“Love” isn’t exactly what comes to mind when we think about Gary Cohn, but ... I guess: Lisa Pevaroff-Cohn and former White House chief economic adviser Gary Cohn attend the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
We have no idea who this is, but issa look (is that an actual Twitter feed printed on her bodice?): Actor and White House press assistant Caroline Sunshine attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
This pose speaks for itself, but hey, loafers sans socks! Journalist Don Lemon attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
This dress was a ray of much-needed sunshine: Journalist Michelle Kosinski attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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Uncle Al knows his angles: The Rev. Al Sharpton attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
“The queen is coming,” she said: Journalist April Ryan attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
MSNBC journalist Andrea Mitchell attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Trying to blend in, or was she ready for combat? Fox television anchor Harris Faulkner attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
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“Shameless” actor Steve Howey attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
Portrait of a funny lady: Comedian Kathy Griffin attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
It was ... spicy? Sean Spicer attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
You can take the girl out of the White House, but you can’t keep her out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner: Omarosa Manigault Newman attends the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis (Getty Images)
As you can see, despite the blessed absence of Donald Trump, there was a broad range of personalities and fashion choices present at this year’s dinner, and given the current state of affairs in our administration, I daresay things were bound to get a bit contentious. (I mean, how do you ignore the elephants in the room, even when they’re wearing tuxes?) But as a Nerd Prom virgin, I have to admit it was a pretty impressive display of the many facets of this great machine we call the American media, and whether you love us or hate us, you gotta admit we clean up nice.
