On Friday afternoon, Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce touched down in Louisville, confirming that the Kentucky Derby is not only “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but also attracts the world's biggest stars.
“Being in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby is like attending the Super Bowl with a hat on,” actress Holly Robinson Peete joked on Saturday's red carpet.
Professional athletes, music rock stars, businessmen and Hollywood stars lined up on the red carpet at Churchill Downs on Saturday ahead of the 150th annual Kentucky Derby.
Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelsey were rumored to be walking the red carpet, but they were likely no-shows and were escorted to another area of the racetrack, but Kelsey is seen walking in the stands afterwards. However, he was spotted. But there were enough other celebrities in stunning outfits to fill a two-hour red carpet event.
Jimmy Fallon, Jack Harlow, Kid Rock and Josh Groban sprinted down the red carpet without stopping to chat, while Wynonna Judd, Martha Stewart, Lisa Leslie, Andrea Canning, Smokey Robinson and Richie… – Sambora, Joey Fatone and others had a lot to say.
“Oh, I forgot to take off the sale tag on my suit,” Fatone said as he ripped the paper off the sleeve of his jacket on the red carpet. “This is my 22nd year competing in the Kentucky Derby, and it all started with an invitation from Patricia Barnstable Brown, who wanted me to come to a charity party at her home. It's been over 20 years and we never want to miss this weekend in Louisville. ”
Gina Torres, star of the TV show “Suits”, looked beautiful in a floral dress. “No, I wasn't going to wear a suit today. It's a little hot for that,” she said. “It’s just a great time and I’m so excited to be here.”
After partying until the wee hours of the morning, the heavily caffeinated celebs started their day at the racetrack with photos and interviews on the red carpet at Churchill Downs, before heading to a luxurious dressing room (closed to media). I headed over and was handed my first mint. Julep today.
Kentucky's strong performance was important to Churchill Downs when choosing who would sing the national anthem for the 150th Kentucky Derby. Judd, a native of Ashland, Kentucky, was a perfect fit. Dazzling on the red carpet before his performance, Judd wore a skin-tight white pantsuit topped with a custom-made black top hat by Kentucky Derby hatter of note Kristin A. Moore.
“Kentucky is home, and I feel that singing the national anthem here (at Churchill Downs) is the ultimate expression of that,” Judd told the Courier-Journal. “I feel like my mom is smiling today.''
Derby veteran Richie Sambora hit the carpet like a rock star — because he is a rock star, too. He arrived in Louisville shortly after the release of “Thank You, Goodnight, The Bon Jovi Story.” His four-part series on Hulu chronicles this iconic band's epic past and uncertain future.
“We went and performed on the eve of the Unbridled Derby and then auctioned off the guitar I played,” he said. “I decorated it myself and raised thousands of dollars for Blessings in a Backpack.”
We asked lifestyle guru Martha Stewart whether she prefers Benedict cheese spread or pimento cheese spread for Derby parties. She told the Courier-Journal that she certainly liked Benedictine better, and then she kindly practiced the traditional “riders up” she would present at the start of the 150th Kentucky Derby. He also helped me.
“Riders up!” she said, staring into our camera.
