Kirby Adams and Matthew Glowicki Louisville Courier Journal
Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce touched down in Louisville Friday afternoon, which confirmed that not only is the Kentucky Derby “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” but it also attracts some of the biggest stars in the world.
“Being in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby is like attending the Super Bowl in hats,” joked actress Holly Robinson Peete on the red carpet Saturday.
Professional athletes, music rockstars, business tycoons and Hollywood stars aligned on the Churchill Downs Racetrack‘s red carpet Saturday ahead of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
While it was rumored Taylor Swift and her beau, Travis Kelce, would walk the red carpet, they were a no-show and most likely were escorted to a different area of the racetrack, though Kelce was spotted walking through the stands later. But there were more than enough other famous faces dressed in fabulous outfits to fill the two-hour red carpet event.
Jimmy Fallon, Jack Harlow, Kid Rock and Josh Groban sprinted down the red carpet without stopping to chat, but Wynonna Judd, Martha Stewart, Lisa Leslie, Andrea Canning, Smokey Robinson, Richie Sambora, and Joey Fatone had plenty to say.
“Oh look, I forgot to pull the sales tags off my suit,” said Fatone as he yanked the paper off his jacket sleeve on the red carpet. “It’s my 22nd year at the Kentucky Derby and it all started with an invitation from Patricia Barnstable Brown, who said she would like us to come to a charity party at her house. More than two decades later, we never want to miss this weekend in Louisville.”
Gina Torres, the star of the television show “Suits,” was stunning in a floral dress. “No I wasn’t going to wear a suit today, it’s a little hot for that,” she said. “This is just a wonderful time; we are so thrilled to be here.”
After partying into the wee hours of the morning, well-caffeinated celebrities started their day at the racetrack with photos and interviews on the Churchill Downs red carpet before heading to the luxurious green room (off limits to the media) and were handed their first mint julep of the day.
A strong showing for the state of Kentucky was important to Churchill Downs when selecting the person to sing the national anthem for the 150th Kentucky Derby. Judd, born in Ashland, Kentucky, was a perfect fit. Dazzling on the red carpet before her performance, Judd wore a fitted white pantsuit with a custom-made black top hat by Kentucky Derby Featured Milliner Christine A. Moore.
“Kentucky is home and I feel like performing the national anthem here (Churchill Downs) is the ultimate statement of this,” Judd told The Courier Journal. “I feel like my mom is smiling on this today.”
Derby veteran Richie Sambora hit the carpet like a rockstar — because he is one. He arrived in Louisville on the heels of the release of “Thank You, Goodnight, The Bon Jovi Story.” Hulu’s four-part series chronicles the epic past and uncertain future of the iconic band.
“We went to the Unbridled Derby Eve Gala and performed and then auctioned off the guitar I played,” he said. “I decorated it myself and it raised thousands of dollars for Blessings in a Backpack.”
We asked lifestyle guru Martha Stewart if she preferred Benedictine or pimento cheese spread for her Derby party. She told The Courier Journal she prefers Benedictine, for sure, and then graciously gave us a practice run of the traditional “Riders Up” she would be announcing to start the 150th Kentucky Derby.
“Riders Up!” she said looking into our camera.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Celebrities on the red carpet at Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby 150
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