The first political statement of the 2017 Grammys was made before the show even started Sunday night. Artist Joy Villa arrived to the red carpet wearing a dress that read “Make America Great Again,” along the front.
Not only did the blue gown with silver stars and red stripes include President Trump’s campaign slogan, it also read “TRUMP” across the bottom back.
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“I couldn’t be where I am today without the love and tenderness of those beautiful supporters and friends around me,” Villa wrote. “Thank you. I hope you enjoy tonight’s @grammysawards2017 and remember to forget your problems and focus on your future.”
UPDATE: The dress was designed by Andre Soriano, an immigrant from the Philippines. He shared photos of Villa on the red carpet on Instagram, calling the dress a “tribute to OUR President of the United States of America.”
Update 9:13pm CT, Feb. 12: “It’s more so about love,” he told the Hollywood Reporter. “We all live on this planet. I’ve never been in the political area. However, it’s just so crazy that people are getting beat up because they voted for Trump, or this and that, someone wants to bomb the White House… I am an American, I moved here from the Philippines and I highly believed in the trueness of what this country can bring. It’s about bringing people together, that’s the message.”