Essence Festival Celebrity Outfits
Keke Palmer Wowed in a Metallic Corset at Essence Festival — Get Her Look Starting at $14
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Every year, Essence Festival brings out some of the biggest names in entertainment to the great city of New Orleans for a weekend celebrating Black music, culture, and revelry. Hosted near the July 4 holiday, the landmark event boasts nightly concerts at the Superdome — including Prince in 2014, Janet Jackson in 2022, and Usher in 2024 — as well as a packed schedule of events during the day like the "Black Excellence" brunch and Prime Video "Essence of Leading Ladies" soiree. And celebrities come dressed in their finest summer-ready outfits for the occasion.
Keeping the city's scorching temperatures and soaring humidity in mind, stars manage to choose practical looks without sacrificing style. There are plenty of warm-weather-friendly trends on display, from cutouts to micro minis. Embellished one-shoulder dresses, polished skirt suits, and colorful rompers are also in heavy demand at the stylish festival. For concerts, artists think outside the box, choosing bold designs that will make a memorable impact. From a studded bra-and-chaps set to a nude bodysuit covered in glittering gold embellishment, there's no telling what theatrical look you'll witness on the Essence Festival stage.
For the 2026 Essence Festival, artists brought their sartorial A-game. Keke Palmer graced the stage to host a live version of her podcast in a gorgeous metallic corset. Brandy looked stunning for her headlining concert at the Superdome wearing a black and white printed Christian Siriano gown. Teyana Taylor wowed at Essence Black Women in Hollywood wearing a printed floral gown that would work perfectly for a summer garden wedding.
Shop pieces inspired by Palmer's look below, and keep scrolling for the best celebrity looks from the 2026 Essence Festival (and years prior), from the stage to the red carpet.
Keke Palmer at the 2026 Essence Festival
Keke Palmer took the stage at Essence Festival in a very 2000s-inspired look: a metallic cropped corset paired with scrunched khaki pants.
Get Her Look: Edikted Mabel Metallic Faux Leather Corset Top ($61). Oiangi Cargo Capris ($14). House of CB Cadie Satin Corset Top ($149).
Cardi B at the 2026 Essence Festival
Teyana Taylor at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Chloe at the 2026 Essence Festival
Kehlani at the 2026 Essence Festival
Kandi at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Ryan Destiny and Normani at the 2026 Essence Festival
Brandy and Tyrese at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Monica at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
MC Lyte at the Black Excellence Brunch at the 2026 Essence Festival
Letoya Luckett at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Patti Labelle and Trell Thomas at the Black Excellence Brunch at the 2026 Essence Festival
Patti Labelle and Marsha Ambrosius at the Black Excellence Brunch at the 2026 Essence Festival
Tamar at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Monica at the 2026 Essence Festival
Monica at the 2026 Essence Festival
Brandy at the 2026 Essence Festival
Brandy at the 2026 Essence Festival
Dawn Richard at the Essence Black Women in Music Luncheon at the 2026 Essence Festival
Maria Sten at Prime Video's "The Essence of Leading Ladies" Event at the 2026 Essence Festival
Keke Palmer at the 2025 Essence Festival
Keke Palmer shut down the Superdome with her performance of Brandy's "Sitting Up In My Room" during Adam Blackstone's "Waiting to Exhale" tribute. She looked stunning in a gold sequin cutout bra and black capri pants, the latter being a controversial trend that's still dominating our TikTok feed this season.
Shop Her Look: Anthropologie The Eve Sequin Bralette ($68). Nookie Tyla Crop Top ($169). Briggs New York Pull on Capris ($20-$21). Skims Smooth Lounge Pajama Capri Pants ($48).
Jordan Chiles at the 2025 Essence Festival
Jordan Chiles showed off her chest tattoo in a printed minidress at the "Black Excellence Brunch" presented by L'Oreal Paris on July 6, 2025.
Ari Lennox at the 2025 Essence Festival
Ari Lennox wowed in a pink romper with a halter neckline and ruffled shorts as she performed as part of the VVIP Superlounge Experience at Essence Festival on July 4, 2025.
Keep scrolling for Essence Festival outfits from previous years.
Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Bevy Smith, Jasmine Crockett & Mara Brock Akil at 2025 Essence Festival
The "Brunch With Bevy Smith" event, hosted by H&M, boasted a star-studded guest list including Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Jasmine Crockett and Mara Brock Akil, wearing a mix of breezy printed outfits and chic neutrals.
Victoria Monét at the 2024 Essence Festival
Serena Williams at the 2024 Essence Festival
Kamala Harris at the 2024 Essence Festival
Usher at the 2024 Essence Festival
Keke Palmer at the 2024 Essence Festival
Janelle Monáe at the 2023 Essence Festival
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2023 Essence Festival
Quinta Brunson at the 2023 Essence Festival
Coco Jones at the 2023 Essence Festival
Kelly Rowland at the 2023 Essence Festival
Ari Lennox at the 2023 Essence Festival
Kimora Lee Simmons at the 2023 Essence Festival
Lauryn Hill at the 2023 Essence Festival
LeToya Luckett at the 2023 Essence Festival
Jessica C. Andrews (she/her) is an award-winning editor and writer who currently works as the senior style director of PS, overseeing beauty, fashion, shopping, and identity content. With more than 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping, and travel. Prior to joining PS, Jessica held senior roles at Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and Bustle and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Essence. She's appeared on "Good Morning America," NBC, and Fox 5 New York and spoken on various panels about fashion, hair, and Black culture.
