On the same night that the country crowned a new Miss America, Opening Ceremony held a pageant of its own in New York's Javits Center. Part fashion show, part stand-up comedy, and part political commentary, the "Pageant of the People" was inspired by the upcoming presidential election.
Designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim promised the show would touch on immigration, economic inequality, police brutality, and gender discrimination. "Pageants are known for enforcing traditional beauty standards, but our 'Pageant of the People' subverts this norm," they wrote in the show's program, "Inspired by the American immigrant experience, it is a space where unconventional beauty–and ideas–are celebrated." Other pages included interviews with activists and celebrities like Claire Danes, Eddie Huang, and Aziz Ansari.
The hosts, Portlandia co-stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, kept up hilarious running commentary while models and celebrity "contestants" walked the runway wearing the fall/winter collection.
Aubrey Plaza, Natasha Lyonne, Aidy Bryant, Whoopi Goldberg, and more stopped to answer pageant-like questions about political issues–Rashida Jones addressed the refugee crisis, Rowan Blanchard talked about feminism, Diane Guerrero called for immigration reform–and gave responses both funny and hard-hitting.
One of the highlights was comedian Ali Wong, best known for her stand-up special Baby Cobra, who was asked, "How do you balance family and career?"
"People ask me that ALL the time. Men never get asked that question. Because they don't. They just ignore the child and that's perfectly, socially acceptable," she quipped, "But dads get so much praise for doing so little. My husband occasionally changes diapers and people can't believe–they're like oh my gah, I can't believe that your husband changes diapers. What a doting, modern father. When my baby was first born, I would do skin-on-skin contact to bond with her, she would shit on my chest. Where's my trophy at?" She also joked about hiring nannies:
Another guest who stole the show was Human Rights Campaign national press secretary Sarah McBride, who made history in July as the first openly trans person to speak at a national convention. She answered the question, "What does being an American mean to you?" She said it meant constantly changing our "stilted, limited understanding of 'We the People.'"
"Four years ago I came out as transgender and at the time, I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive," she said, "But things are changing. And we must never be a country that says there's only one way to love, and way to look, and one way to live. We must be a country where everyone has freedom to live openly and equally." Here's who else walked:
Aubrey Plaza
Rashida Jones
Aidy Bryant
Jessica Williams
Rowan Blanchard
Diane Guerrero
Natasha Lyonne
Whoopi Goldberg
Alia Shawkat
If you're wondering who the judges were at this shindig, there were none. Instead, guests were called to action, "We invite you to cast a ballot at the polls on November 8th," the Opening Ceremony founders wrote in the program. True to form, there were people helping guests register to vote as they exited.
