Snazzy Aunties, Luxurious Linens & Big Bluetooth Energy--Did Essence Fest 25 Live Up To The Hype?

Source: Peter Forest/Getty Images for OWN

Bossip Be Trippin: Essence Fest 25

Hey beautiful people, it’s your wanderlusty buddy-pal Alejandro with another White Diamond-splashed Essence Fest adventure to recap. And yes, there are taupe kitten heels, bedazzled bodysuits, snazzy toe rings, stretchy floral fabrics, young aunties in polka dot hot pants and big Bluetooth energy (courtesy of Pop-Pop Frankie Beverly) sprinkled into this journey.

Sounds amazing, I know, so let’s get into it. But first–I have to thank Ford for loaning me a 2019 Ford F-150 Limited (basically an Autobot) for the trip. I’ll call him Optimus Jr. and he’s simply incredible with the best fuel mileage of any new-age truck.

I drove from Atlanta to NOLA (470 miles/6 hours) without stopping for gas and STILL had 100 miles left to E. It’s absolutely life-changing (if you have an older vehicle like myself) with a planet-shaking sound system, dependable navigation interface, spacious interior (sooo much backseat space for luggage unlike most pickup trucks), MOONROOF, self-parallel parking (yes, you read that right) and buttery smooth leather seats.

Source: Alex Ford/iOne

This isn’t a commercial (I promise) but I told them I would let yall know how impressive the F-150 is. My only (small) complaint is the $69 is takes to fill up. STRESSFUL. But yea, I’m a fan and recommend you take one for a spin someday.

Now, back to Essence Fest that attracted 1.7 billion people (I counted) to the (not) Big (enough) Easy this year for some good ‘ole fashioned day drinking shenanigans in wig-melting heat.

At one point, it was 104° outside but that didn’t stop anyone from attending an impressive array of events and brunches and lunches and dinners and pop-ups and soirées and kickbacks and meet & greets this year. There were SO MANY EVENTS. Almost too many. And these were my faves:

Spotify’s star-studded House of Are & Be was a VIBE with well-moisturized somebodies and the most IG-friendly photo booth experience at the festival. Look at our Digital Comms Manager Lexi enjoying her hot girl summer.

Yep, EVERYBODY was there.

Ava Duvernay, Gayle King & more stopped by the exclusive Summer Of OWN Essence Cocktail Party at Legacy Kitchen for great vibes, impossible amounts of food (IT WAS LITERALLY A FEAST–THANKS OPRAH!) and all the Dove products you could stuff into your luggage. It was quite the event.

Universal Pictures threw a swanky First Look soirée where they showed the first 12 minutes of soon-to-be movie of moment “Queen & Slim.” It looks incredible. No, seriously.

Brandy stunned at AT&T’s extravagant Dream In Black brunch (that also celebrated Ava Duvernay and Zendaya). She looked and sounded AMAZING.

Starz always has great Essence Fest events and this year’s Lounge was another win.

Source: Alex Ford/iOne

The magnificent Motown Manor had tarot card readings, henna painting, celebrity MUAs for guests, braid adorning, open bar and a live performance/intimate chat with BJ the Chicago Kid. Very dope.

Shea butter baby Ari Lennox gave us a classic performance at Airbnb’s elegant A Woman’s Path To Power event. Btw THEY HAD DELICIOUS MINI-SHRIMP PO’BOYS.

Source: Alex Ford/iOne

HBO’s intimate Black Ladies in Comedy brunch celebrated Insecure’s Natasha Rothwell (Supervising Producer & Actress), A Black Lady Sketch Show‘s Dime Davis (Director) and Lauren Ashley Smith (Head Writer) who chatted about Blackness in very white Hollywood spaces. Great convo and even better food.

Source: Nigel Degaff

Our good friends at Ford painted the future proud with a culturally delicious Ride & Drive experience combining art, food and fellowship.

Disney’s preview brunch for “The Lion King” and several other future box office smashes from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” to “Frozen 2” was, well, magical.

Forever First Lady Michelle Obama and MJB set the tone for Pop-Pop Frankie to close out Essence Fest with the biggest of bangs.

Overall, I really enjoyed Essence Fest 25, and yes, it lived up to the hype. Special thanks to Team Epiphany for the exclusive invites, Legacy Kitchen‘s wonderful staff who blessed us with fresh (and delicious) beignets, Ford, HBO, AT&T, BET, OWN, Disney, McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Universal and Motown.

Thanks for reading and follow my unsupervised shenanigans on IG (@alejandro_nigelsias). See ya next time!