Popsugar Fashion Celebrity Style See What Celebrities Wore to the 2022 Essence Festival Lori Harvey Wears a Cropped Denim Jacket as a Top at Essence Festival 6 July 2022 by Shelcy Joseph Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin With "It's the Black Joy For Me" as the theme and headliners like Janet Jackson and Nicki Minaj, the 2022 Essence Festival delivered Black-girl magic, energizing music, and head-turning celebrity style. Minaj nailed her inaugural debut on the Essence stage on Friday, July 2, in a formfitting black velvet catsuit with a plunging bra top designed with two midsection cutouts. Meanwhile, Jackson made a sparkly return to the stage at the Louisiana Superdome in a black jumpsuit covered in sequins. The speakers were just as stylish, with Lori Harvey making an appearance on stage in a denim-on-denim look complete with a cropped jacket and blue jeans. She styled it with a silky purple headscarf and burgundy heels. Other performers included Ashanti, who wowed the crowd in a hot-pink, off-the-shoulder catsuit with prominent sheer inserts, then a blazer-style bodysuit, left open to reveal the black lace bra she wore underneath. She also added a gold belt to her second look, as well as black gloves, large sunglasses, and thigh-high boots — taking Matrix-inspired fashion to cool heights. Lil' Kim also lit up the stage in a black shredded bodysuit, complete with a designer belt. The iconic rapper teamed it with a stunning lilac cropped jacket, featuring beads and embroideries throughout. She stuck to the embellished theme with black knee-high boots that were covered in colourful beads. The four-day festival highlighted Black excellence with a busy schedule filled with career-advancement panels and musical and comedy performances, all while highlighting Black-owned businesses. More notable attendees, speakers, and performers included Vice President Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Lauryn Hill, Marsai Martin, and Janelle Monáe. Read ahead to see everyone who attended the popular cultural event and what they wore. Related: Janet Jackson's Most Iconic Performance Looks, From Crop Tops to Corsets Lori Harvey at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin The multi-hyphenate took the stage in a head-to-toe denim look consisting of a blue cropped jacket and jeans. She styled it with a purple silk headscarf, a burgundy top-handle bag and matching heels. 1 / 15 Janet Jackson in The Blonds at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The pop icon stunned in a sequin jumpsuit by The Blonds, enhanced with matching knee-high boots by Christian Louboutin. 2 / 15 Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin Harris spoke onstage in a vibrant fuschia pantsuit paired with tan-coloured pumps. 3 / 15 Janelle Monáe at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Tyler Kaufman The "Make Me Feel" singer danced with friends at the Grey Goose Essences "The Main Character, a Tribute to Black Excellence" event in a sleeveless black t-shirt dress. 4 / 15 Yung Miami and JT of the City Girls at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The duo matched in identical "No Bra" cropped t-shirts and blue denim shorts. 5 / 15 Jazmine Sullivan at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The R&B star tapped into the catsuit trend in a hot-pink design, which she paired with matching metallic platforms and a voluminous coat in vibrant orange. 6 / 15 Lil' Kim at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The iconic rapper stunned in a black belted bodysuit, paired with a lilac cropped jacket with embroideries and beads throughout. 7 / 15 Lauryn Hill at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The iconic singer performed in a floral blue-and-white maxi dress worn over a black turtleneck top, and finished with a white two-layer belt and a black bucket hat. 8 / 15 Ashanti at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin On the third day, the singer donned a body-hugging, blazer-style bodysuit, which opened to reveal her black lace bra. She paired it with matching thigh-high boots, black sunglasses and a gold belt. 9 / 15 Patti LaBelle at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The music legend wore an elegant red pantsuit, consisting of a single-breasted jacket with a billowing train and sleek trousers. 10 / 15 Marsai Martin at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin The Gen Z actress looked cool in a green acid wash two-piece beaded jacket and shorts, worn over a white cropped top. 11 / 15 Janet Jackson at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin Wearing a houndstooth turtleneck dress by Norma Kamali, the pop icon celebrated her storied career at the "Be Bold" Dinner Series presented by Coca-Cola and held at Four Seasons Hotel in New Orleans. 12 / 15 Stacey Abrams at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin The former Georgia state representative spoke onstage in a salmon-coloured jacket worn over a white cami tank and tan trousers. 13 / 15 Ashanti at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin On the first day, Ashanti lit up the stage in a hot pink off-shoulder catsuit with sheer inserts throughout the bodice and pants. 14 / 15 Coco Jones at the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin The actress-turned-singer made an appearance in a blue denim jumpsuit, complete with a zippered neckline and wide-leg pants. 15 / 15 Celebrity StyleJazmine SullivanEssenceLauryn HillNicki MinajJanet JacksonLori HarveyKamala HarrisJanelle MonáeCity Girls