The Met Gala just happened this past Monday. And if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed when you stick celebrities from all over the world in one room: there will be drama. This time, the subject of said drama was unfortunately Simone Biles’ stylist, Jessica Paster.
Paster is no rookie in the fashion world. For nearly two decades, she’s worked as a fashion critic and a stylist in womenswear, crafting red carpet looks for Emily Blunt, Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary fame, Olivia Munn, among many other names. So when it came time for the Met Gala especially with a theme as unnecessarily complicated as Superfine: Tailoring Black Style — Paster’s phone was definitely ringing. Because the last thing these celebs want is to become the year’s laughing stock on fashion Twitter.
Making fun of the Met Gala at this point is the laziest take in the world. You’ll always find it on the internet, usually in the form of people who think “who even cares about celebrities anymore?” or “I can’t even wear this on my trip to Target” are fresh and original thoughts. Whether anyone — especially Megyn Kelly — likes it or not, the Met Gala remains a key calendar event in modern culture. Politicians beg for an invite. Rihanna casually announces pregnancies on the carpet. The Met Gala is important. And the security takes itself just as seriously.
The main hotel that houses the celebrities and their outfits — and, for this particular story, their stylists too — has long been The Carlyle Hotel. And getting in on Met Gala night is no joke. There are photographers swarming the hotel, trying to catch the celebs before they hit the carpet, and your fair share of stalkers. So The Carlyle beefs up security with the NYPD. You can’t just walk in — you need wristbands, credentials, and, as Jessica Paster just found out, possibly a recognizable face too.
Page Six reports that on Monday, when Jessica Paster tried to enter The Carlyle to put the finishing touches on Simone Biles, she was stopped cold by the overzealous security at the front door. There were so many cameras that fans around the world watched as Paster was dragged from the entrance while trying to barge through police to get inside — presumably to style Olympic champion Simone Biles.
Page Six managed to get a comment from the understandably embarrassed and startled Jessica Paster, who couldn’t get into the hotel despite her client and her wristband. Paster explained, “I listened to people. They said go through the service door and when I did, they said go back to the lobby. And all of a sudden they attacked me, they manhandled me.”
Page Six also noted that the video is now circulating in celebrity group chats. Oof. Police later told Page Six they escorted Paster to the service entrance to get her proper credentials — and finally let her in.
A firm reminder that in the world of celebrity, no matter how long you’ve been in it… you’re always just a guest. And the bouncers don’t care how many Emmys or medals your client has.
Published: May 7, 2025 08:54 am