Just after midnight, the lights dropped and the curtains rose. The Dirty Rose—Taylor’s burlesque-style cabaret—began with three sequin-clad dancers setting the stage. Taylor emerged in neon pink spandex, stilettos, and a matching bralette, joined by longtime friend and co-host Winnie Harlow. Inspired by Tupac Shakur’s poem The Rose That Grew From Concrete (a nod to both Harlem-born artists), the performance unfolded in traditional cabaret form: storytelling through movement, costuming, and choreography that transported the crowd to another era.

The night unfolded in acts, with time between for mingling and more music—Lil Wayne’s “Go DJ,” Rihanna’s “Rude Boy”—as the guest list grew to include La La Anthony, Lenny Santiago, Carver Guru, Kaytranada, Busta Rhymes, Roddy Ricch, and Keith Powers. Taylor, ever the consummate host, reminded the room she’d been on her feet since 3 pm hosting the Met Gala livestream—and yet, as the night crept into the first Tuesday of May, she was just getting started.

Then, just after 1:00 am, a surprise: FKA Twigs entered quietly in a demure look. Soon, she took the stage. Without announcement or fanfare, she slipped into the world of The Dirty Rose, performing a dance number that felt like a fever dream—flawlessly blurring the line between high burlesque and avant-garde performance art. What exactly happened between Taylor and Twigs on that stage? In true cabaret fashion, it’s something only those inside the room will ever fully know.