If there were a Grammy Award for most shocking red-carpet look, Chappell Roan almost definitely would have won with her daring, gravity-defying Mugler nipple-ring dress. But how did her team pull off the faux piercings while keeping the pop star relatively covered up?
Gum wrappers — in part. Makeup artist and prosthetics expert Sasha Glasser revealed as much in an interview with Allure published a few days after the Sunday awards show, also sharing that she attached the gown’s nipple rings to special-grade prosthetic nipple coverings painted to match Roan’s exact skin tone. “The idea was for her to not be so naked,” Glasser told the publication of why they went with the blurred-out nipple look.
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But because the coverings weren’t strong enough to bear the weight of the nipple rings and dress fabric on their own, Roan’s styling team also needed to layer a stretchy nude mesh over the prosthetic. And because they had to pierce the mesh and prosthetics with the nipple rings before they could paint them, Glasser says she and the musician’s stylist, Genesis Webb, used gum wrappers to keep the rings clean.
“Genesis and I tested it,” Glasser recalled. “We’d put the ring in the prosthetic and tug, and it would rip out, so that was scary.”
By the time the red carpet came along, the team had pulled it off — and the result was jaw-dropping. Billboard‘s Instagram video of the look alone garnered more than 50 million views in just 24 hours alone.
Later, Roan posted about the discourse on Instagram, sharing photos of her look and writing, “Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit.”
“The look’s actually so awesome and weird,” she added. “I recommend just exercising your free will it’s really fun and silly … Thank you for having me @grammys and those who voted for me!!”
After walking the red carpet, Roan changed outfits to a cream-colored dress to present the best new artist award, which she won in 2025. The prize went to Olivia Dean this year.