Spike Lee is known for his searing films, being a diehard Knicks fan, and occasionally saying things that nobody wants to hear. He is not, it likely goes without saying, a fashion icon.
Still, it speaks to his trademark bravado that he wore this getup (in tribute to Prince) for the BET Awards on Sunday.
Spike Lee came to the #BETAwards as Willy Wonka. pic.twitter.com/2ALjQ6QuCn
— The Movement (@TheMovement) June 27, 2016
Mainly leaving aside the fact that his Prince love symbol pin was worn upside-down, viewers went all in on the Willy Wonka/Mad Hatter/Johnny Depp angle.
Spike Lee bout to say "Look under your chairs for the Golden Ticket".
— Waiting to Oxtail (@ThatDudeMCFLY) June 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/dave_schilling/status/747220115851091968
Spike Lee looks like what it would look like if Gene Wilder's WillyWonka & Johnny Depp's had a baby, caught it on fire & put out with a rake
— Jimmy Shaw (@roadkill3x) June 27, 2016
Spike Lee is dressed either as Willy Wonka or the Mad Hatter, but either way he's stepping on Johnny Depp's turf. #BETAwards
— Hrishikesh Hirway (@HrishiHirway) June 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/laurakeet/status/747264447316525056
https://twitter.com/LMiami517/status/747258945765519360
Incredibly, though, Lee has been accused of dressing like the Mad Hatter since 2013—and probably before that.
https://twitter.com/Juicetus_/status/413371636495441920
Other roasters invoked images of Jiminy Cricket.
since the show is over, Spike Lee can sneak his outfit back into Disney studios before Jiminy Cricket wakes & sees it's missing #BETAwards
— DJ JackHammer (@DJ_JackHammer) June 27, 2016
That comparison has also been drawn for a number of years.
https://twitter.com/JayMurray937/status/39521506589556736
Possibly the most canny burn of the night alluded to Queen Elizabeth II, she of the outrageous headwear. Imagine the embarrassment of honoring the wrong monarch!
Spike Lee wearing gear from the Queen Elizabeth collection tonight. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/0WCddI5zQs
— Eight Screens (@eightscreens) June 27, 2016
And, for honorable mention…
Why spike lee look like shadow man from princess and the frog 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/N1srzFMgLA
— $apFerg™️ (@laffysaphy) June 27, 2016
Hey, the man can only be himself. Though that hat must have really ruined the view for whoever sat behind him.