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Teyana Taylor's Mullet & Balenciaga Gown Command AMAs Red Carpet — Melanin News | Melanin
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Teyana Taylor's Mullet & Balenciaga Gown Command AMAs Red CarpetCelebrity

Teyana Taylor's Mullet & Balenciaga Gown Command AMAs Red Carpet

5d ago

Teyana Taylor, known for her fearless approach to fashion, once again redefined red carpet expectations at the 2026 American Music Awards. The multi-talented artist arrived at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, May 25, delivering a look that reports described as gloriously breaking every red carpet rule.

The centerpiece of Taylor's ensemble was a striking purple Balenciaga gown. The dress, part of Balenciaga's pre-fall 2026 collection, featured a flowing, strapless silhouette with a finish that shifted between matte and shimmer under the lights. It boasted a structured bodice, daring side cutouts, and a high slit in its flowing skirt. A matching purple shawl draped elegantly around her arms completed the monochromatic vision. She paired the gown with sharp pointed-toe snakeskin heels and dramatic makeup, including purple eyeliner to tie the entire look together.

Image related to Teyana Taylor's Mullet & Balenciaga Gown Command AMAs Red Carpet
Related image from the original report Source

However, it was Taylor's hairstyle that truly ignited discussion. Departing from her signature pixie cut, she showcased what was widely dubbed a formalwear mullet or "mermaid mullet." The front of her hair was sculpted into a pompadour-inspired shape with soft waves and meticulously laid baby hairs. The back featured the lowest layer pressed straight and flipped upward, creating a clean, deliberate finish that was both structured and dramatic. Public coverage noted it was "possibly the first mullet in recorded history that looked sophisticated."

The 2026 American Music Awards ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. Taylor, a nominee for Best Female R&B Artist and a performer at the event, brought her two daughters, Iman "Junie" Tayla Shumpert Jr., aged 10, and Rue Rose Shumpert, aged 5, whom she shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert. The trio created a memorable "family fashion moment," with Junie in an all-denim outfit and Rue Rose in a pink floral dress.

Taylor's career began early, choreographing Beyoncé's "Ring the Alarm" music video at just 15. Born December 10, 1990, she later signed with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment in 2007 and then Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music in 2012. Beyond music, Taylor has earned critical acclaim for her acting, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and an Academy Award nomination for her role in the 2025 film *One Battle After Another*. Her consistent red-carpet presence has long established her as a significant figure in fashion, known for blending high fashion with theatrical flair.

Erika Jayne
Erika Jayne Source

Reactions to Taylor's AMAs appearance were swift and varied across social media platforms. Many fans enthusiastically praised the outfit, with some even drawing favorable comparisons to her metallic silver fringe gown by Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford at the 2026 Met Gala, which had also generated considerable debate. Not all feedback was positive, however. Some critics expressed reservations about her unique hairstyle, with one commenter stating, "The hair is terrible," and another suggesting that "sandal heels would've worked better with the dress."

A particularly sweet moment that resonated widely involved an exchange between Taylor and her eldest daughter, Junie. When asked to rate her mother's outfit, Junie declared the purple gown "more than a ten out of ten," adding, "Clock it." This unscripted mother-daughter interaction further fueled the story's rapid spread and broad appeal, highlighting Taylor's influence not just on the runway but within her family.

This latest appearance continues a pattern of Teyana Taylor's impactful fashion choices. Earlier in the year, her five-year-old daughter, Rue Rose, had already created a viral moment by assisting her mother with an elaborate Thom Browne gown at the Actor Awards on March 1. Taylor has consistently delivered bold red-carpet looks, including a figure-hugging optical illusion corset gown at the 2026 Actors Awards. Her influence extends beyond personal styling, as seen in successful collaborations like the "Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 'A Rose From Harlem'" collection, which quickly sold out.

Despite any mixed reactions, the overall consensus underscored Taylor's ongoing role as a style icon and a "risk-taker, a trendsetter, and a boundary-pusher in the fashion world." Her ability to consistently generate discussion and redefine red carpet expectations solidifies her status as a cultural figure whose style continues to make headlines.