In the ever-evolving world of celebrity culture, the line between art, image, and influence often blurs. Every red carpet look, social media post, and on-stage moment is dissected by millions—some in admiration, others with deep skepticism. And perhaps no event intensifies this more than the Met Gala, fashion’s most high-profile and often bizarre runway.
This year, a new name entered that swirling vortex of fame and interpretation: Shaboozy, a rising country-rap artist known for blending Americana with hip-hop swagger. When he arrived at the 2025 Met Gala dressed in a turquoise cropped suit jacket, matching pants, and a chain draped across his bare chest, it immediately lit up social media—not because it was outlandishly styled (it was on theme), but because some viewers interpreted the entire appearance as part of a so-called Hollywood humiliation ritual.
That phrase—humiliation ritual—has been gaining traction in recent years, thanks in part to long-standing critiques from comedian Cat Williams, who has spent years warning the public about the alleged secret codes and tests within the entertainment industry. With each shocking or unconventional celebrity moment, more internet sleuths dust off Cat’s old interviews and stand-up bits, using them as frameworks to decode what they believe are carefully orchestrated symbolic acts.
So, is this just another example of internet conspiracy theory run wild? Or is there something deeper—something more calculated—behind these moments?
Let’s break it down.
What Are Humiliation Rituals?
The term “humiliation ritual” refers to a controversial theory that suggests celebrities are sometimes pressured into public acts of self-debasement—often through awkward fashion, scripted controversies, or emotional breakdowns—as a rite of passage into elite status within the entertainment world.
While this idea has roots in conspiracy theory circles, it’s gained a surprising amount of mainstream attention over the past decade. Supporters argue that these rituals are symbolic acts meant to test a celebrity’s obedience to Hollywood’s unseen gatekeepers. Critics, meanwhile, dismiss the entire concept as paranoia cloaked in misogyny, homophobia, or a misunderstanding of performance art and fashion.
Comedian Cat Williams has been the loudest voice championing the idea, and his comments over the years have consistently pointed to a recurring theme: emasculation through forced image manipulation, especially targeting Black male celebrities.
Cat Williams: From Comic to Cultural Critic
Cat Williams is not just a comedian; he’s also become something of a folk theorist for people skeptical of the entertainment industry. His insights, often dismissed as rants in his early years, are now being re-examined through the lens of internet culture and broader distrust in mainstream media.
In one of his more recent interviews—possibly his most viral to date—Cat doubled down on his claim that wearing dresses, participating in bizarre PR stunts, or going viral for embarrassing reasons is part of a wider system of submission and control. He argued that people obsess too much over the dress itself, missing the true purpose of the act: symbolic obedience.
“It’s not about the dress. It’s about the ritual. That’s how you know—it’s the outcome. Show me one person that ever wore a dress in Hollywood unsuccessfully.”
According to Cat, once a star proves their willingness to participate in these rituals, they’re often rewarded: bigger roles, more media attention, and deeper integration into Hollywood’s elite circles.
The Long History of the ‘Dress Ritual’
Williams isn’t alone in his claims. Back in 2006, fellow comedian Dave Chappelle appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show and shared a strikingly similar story. He recounted how, while filming a comedy with Martin Lawrence, he was suddenly presented with a scene requiring him to wear a dress. The problem? It didn’t fit the story, didn’t make sense for his character, and wasn’t necessary.
When he refused, Chappelle says, the pressure became intense.
“All the greats have done it,” he was told. “It’s hilarious. Just do it.”
He didn’t. But he never forgot it.
To Chappelle, it was never about the joke—it was a test. And for those who went along with it? Their careers often skyrocketed afterward. For those who resisted? The narrative shifted: they were “difficult,” “unstable,” or worse.
Kevin Hart and the Pattern of Compliance
Years later, actor and comedian Kevin Hart publicly brushed off Chappelle’s concerns. In early interviews, Hart said he had boundaries and would never jeopardize his brand for a joke. But eventually, Hart appeared on Saturday Night Live wearing a dress to play a female pope in a skit. That same year, his career exploded—major film roles, endorsement deals, and sold-out stadium tours followed.
Coincidence? That’s what many believe. But to those who subscribe to Cat Williams’ worldview, it looked more like validation of the ritual theory.
“We’ve had Big Momma’s House one, two, and three. I’ve never seen Madea in a pantsuit,” Cat once joked. “Why we picking on poor Kevin Hart? It was just his turn.”
Shaboozy, Met Gala, and the Modern Day “Ritual”
Which brings us back to Shaboozy.
As a rising artist, Shaboozy’s appearance at the Met Gala should’ve been a celebration. The outfit, created by a Black designer, fit this year’s theme of “Garden of Time”, which focused on tailoring and the aesthetics of dandyism—a Black-led fashion movement known for bold, refined elegance.
But social media quickly went in another direction.
Videos of Shaboozy posing uncomfortably in front of a hotel, avoiding direct questions about what or who he was wearing, quickly turned into fodder for ritual speculation. Phrases like “he looks uncomfortable,” “he didn’t choose that outfit,” and “they told him what to wear” flooded the comments. Others argued the turquoise color represented spiritual transformation, further fueling symbolic interpretations.
The internet was divided. Some saw a young star stepping into high fashion. Others saw yet another example of the ritual narrative unfolding in real time.
Supporters of the Ritual Theory: “Cat Was Right”
The response was immediate. Clips of Cat Williams discussing humiliation rituals resurfaced and started trending. His fans—many of whom see him as a prophet-like figure in the entertainment world—claimed that Shaboozy’s appearance was further proof of the pattern.
“It’s not about the dress. It’s about humiliation, submission, and symbolism,” one commenter wrote. “Cat already told us this years ago.”
Others pointed to the emotional response Shaboozy gave in interviews—how he seemed unsure, distracted, or reluctant to engage—as further signs he wasn’t in control of the moment.
Critics Clap Back: “It’s Just Fashion”
Of course, not everyone agreed.
Fashion insiders and fans of the Met Gala were quick to defend Shaboozy’s look, pointing out that:
He followed the night’s theme.
The designer was Black.
Dandyism is rooted in Black cultural history, and Shaboozy’s outfit celebrated that tradition.
“It’s literally the Met Gala. What’s he supposed to wear—a polo shirt?” one fan wrote.
Others argued that interpreting everything through the lens of emasculation or submission is reductive and harmful, especially in a time when gender expression in fashion is expanding and being redefined.
Is There a Middle Ground?
Somewhere between “it’s just fashion” and “it’s an Illuminati ritual” lies a murky middle ground—one where image manipulation, career politics, and industry power dynamics still play a huge role in shaping celebrity personas.
It’s no secret that entertainers are often under intense pressure to evolve, conform, or reinvent themselves in ways that align with industry demands. And yes, those transformations can include:
Cross-dressing for comedic effect.
Controversial public behavior.
Carefully staged fashion statements.
But are those truly acts of coercion? Or just savvy career moves?
Maybe the better question is: who gets to decide? When an artist like Shaboozy takes a fashion risk, is it his choice—or his management’s? When a comedian like Kevin Hart wears a dress, is it for laughs—or leverage?
The truth may not lie in any one moment, but in patterns—and those patterns often say more about the system than the individual.
Conclusion: What Should We Really Be Asking?
The idea of humiliation rituals is seductive because it offers a clear villain, a secret system to explain why some people rise and others fall. But not everything strange or awkward in Hollywood is part of a grand plan.
Still, critics like Cat Williams are not entirely wrong to ask hard questions. Hollywood is a machine, and like all powerful systems, it rewards compliance, punishes resistance, and often buries the truth in performance.
Rather than obsess over whether someone wore a dress, maybe we should ask:
Who made the decision?
What did they gain?
And why do these same narratives keep repeating?
Shaboozy may have just worn a stylish suit. Or he may have unknowingly stepped into a broader conversation about fame, identity, and autonomy in entertainment.
Either way, the discourse isn’t going anywhere—and neither is Cat Williams.
