BY: DM
Published 1 week ago
The spooky season started early for Janelle Monáe. At Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” premiere in L.A. on Oct. 6, she worked the carpet in facial prosthetics that altered her features — a clear sign she planned to treat Halloween as a months-long extravaganza. Monáe didn’t just dress up for Halloween 2025, she curated an entire universe around it. The Grammy-nominated artist rolled out multiple looks and even launched a full-blown festival.
Here’s a look at how she took over Halloween and what she’s shared about her love for the spooky holiday.
Janelle Monáe Has Become the Queen of Halloween
If Monáe’s Halloween celebrations feel bigger than a single weekend, that’s intentional. In a Paper Magazine cover story, Monáe gushed about the holiday — one of her favorite times of the year. “When people think of Mariah Carey, they think of Christmas. When they think of Christmas, they think of Mariah. I want people to think of Halloween and immediately think of Janelle Monáe. Period,” she said.
Her headline costume this year was a meticulously built Cat in the Hat. Styled by Alexandra Mandelkorn with custom work by Alex Navarro, Cat + Nico, and Sarah Sokol, the look leaned into Monáe’s signature black-and-white palette with a pop of red. She completed it with animated props, including floating Dr. Seuss books and a mechanical tail. “Halloween has always been a spiritual and sacred time for me,” she told Vogue. “Halloween is my creative playground… I went into this Halloween feeling like a whimsical and seasoned maestro.”
She also hosted Wondaween at the Santa Monica Pier on Oct. 30 — a Bacardí-backed bash where she appeared as a gothic “Muscle Beach” vampire with fangs, pointed ears, a latex cape, leggings, and a prosthetic, tattooed chest. The vibe combined high camp with horror, and Monáe went topless with those hyper-real prosthetics. Branded “Wondaween Festival: Vampire Beach,” the 21+ event was co-hosted with Wondaland Arts Society and powered by a Bacardí partnership.
Monáe’s 2025 streak builds on years of viral costumes. In 2024, she popped out as E.T., complete with in-character moments and a glowing finger. In 2022, she stunned as Diva Plavalaguna from “The Fifth Element,”and she also transformed into the White Rabbit.
LGBTQIA+ Celebs Went All out for Halloween 2025
In addition to Monáe’s Cat-in-the-Hat and “vampire beach” moments, queer celebs turned out for Halloween. pulled double duty — first recreating boxer Claressa Shields’ weigh-in with Papoose, then switching into a Kendrick Lamar and Serena Williams duo. Meanwhile, “SNL’s” Bowen Yang fully committed to deep-cut gamer lore as Tingle from “The Legend of Zelda.”
Pop group KATSEYE served a multi-look Mariah Carey homage, and Bretman Rock — with niece Cleo — cast a perfectly timed “Wicked” spell as Glinda and Elphaba. Kim Petras went cinematic as Babydoll from “Sucker Punch,” while Keke Palmer dressed up as Honey.
Couples’ costumes also ate. Ben Platt and Noah Galvin riffed on a vintage Hefner-and-Bunny pairing. Chrishell Stause and G Flip were Ken and Barbie. While Lady Gaga took a maximalist approach as the Garden of Eden.
Which one of Janelle Monáe’s costumes were your favorite? Comment below!
