When you’re Savannah James, stepping onto the iconic steps of the Met Gala is a major moment. This year, she graced the ultra-exclusive event in a stunning Hanifa gown, but she was rolling solo. As we know, her husband, LeBron James, who was actually an honorary co-chair for the prestigious fashion event, had to bow out at the last minute due to that unfortunate MCL sprain he picked up during the Lakers’ playoff run. So, all eyes were on Savannah, and in a recent, refreshingly candid interview with People Magazine, she opened up about just how intense the whole experience was and the very real coping mechanism she leaned on to keep her cool.
For many, the Met Gala is the absolute pinnacle of fashion and celebrity, and Savannah, even with years being in the public eye alongside one of the world’s biggest athletes, wasn’t immune to the pressure. “It was so nerve-wracking,“ she admitted to People.
You can just imagine it – the flashing lights, the hundreds of cameras, the most famous faces in the world all around. “I had a million things going through my head,” she confessed, adding with a laugh, “I just did not want to fall down the stairs!” A totally relatable fear, right? Even queens worry about tripping.
Despite LeBron’s absence, Savannah felt the responsibility of representing them both. “Unfortunately, LeBron wasn’t able to make it, but I think I held it down for us,” she said. And hold it down, she did! She looked absolutely incredible. But internally? Those nerves were still buzzing. So, how did she manage to look so poised and collected through it all?
Here’s where her go-to coping strategy came into play. “To be honest with you, I’m a square breather,” Savannah revealed. For those unfamiliar, square breathing (or box breathing) is a simple but powerful technique used to calm the nervous system – you inhale for a count, hold for a count, exhale for a count, and hold again, all for the same duration, like tracing the sides of a square.
“So by the time I got there, I was definitely still nervous, but I was able to keep it cool with my square breathing.” It’s a fascinating insight into how she manages such high-pressure situations. She even joked about what might have happened if she’d truly processed the magnitude of the moment in real-time: “After the fact when people were like, ‘Oh, I was watching it live and I saw you come on stage,’ I thought, if I would’ve thought about any of that, I probably would’ve thrown up! But I think I did okay.”
“Okay” is an understatement; she was stunning!
Even with the pre-carpet jitters and her square-breathing focus, Savannah was still able to soak in the “amazing experience.” She highlighted the importance of the theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and how beautiful the exhibit and everyone’s interpretations were. And the performances? She couldn’t pick a favorite between Stevie Wonder and Usher, calling the Stevie Wonder moment, in particular, a “pinch-me moment.” It’s a great reminder that even in the most glamorous and nerve-wracking settings, finding those moments of genuine awe and joy is what it’s all about.
And talk about timing! This whole Met Gala moment, Savannah handling it solo with her square-breathing game strong, comes when she’s absolutely crushing it in her own world. While LeBron and the Lakers are in offseason mode, Savannah’s been on a serious roll.
Her new skincare line, “Reframe Beauty,” just dropped – hello, beauty boss! Plus, her podcast with her bestie, April McDaniel, “Everybody’s Crazy,” is blowing up and just landed a huge deal with Dear Media. And don’t forget their wellness community, “Let It Break.”
Blueprints for a legacy – how LeBron and Savannah James are forging a way for their princes and princess
It’s pretty clear that LeBron and Savannah James aren’t just thinking about their own legacies – they’re actively building blueprints for their kids in terms of showing them what’s possible. And what’s super cool is how they’re doing it in their own distinct ways! Almost like LeBron’s got the game plan for Bronny and Bryce on the court, while Savannah’s crafting a masterclass for Zhuri in the world of business, style, and authentic influence.
Let’s talk about LeBron first. For years, we heard him talk about his dream of playing in the NBA with Bronny. And boom, it happened this season with the Lakers! He called it “one of the greatest gifts.” Now, with Bryce committing to Arizona, you hear those whispers again – Savannah herself reportedly wants LeBron to play long enough for Bryce to join them, too.
It’s like LeBron is saying, “Here’s the map, sons. Here’s how you go about this crazy world of professional sports, how you handle the pressure, how you build a career.” He’s not just passing on his genes, he’s passing on the playbook.
Then you’ve got Savannah. And man, is she setting an incredible example for their daughter, Zhuri! Remember that quote where Savannah said Zhuri looking her in the eyes and saying she wanted to be just like her was a huge wake-up call? Savannah said, “That moment made me reflect: what blueprint had I established for her to follow? So I stepped out of my comfort zone—for Zhuri, but really for myself.”
And step out she has! Launching Reframe Beauty, co-founding “Let It Break,” crushing it with the “Everybody’s Crazy” podcast – these aren’t just side hustles. This is Savannah building her own empire, showing Zhuri that a woman can be a powerhouse entrepreneur, a creative force, and a devoted mom, all at the same time.
Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; West guard Bronny James (6) poses for a family photo with grandmother Gloria Marie James, mother Savannah James , brother Bryce Maximus James, sister Zhuri Nova James and father LeBron James following the McDonald’s All American Boy’s high school basketball game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
We even saw glimpses of this mentorship in action when Savannah James took Zhuri on a business trip to South Korea, reportedly for her skincare line. Zhuri was right there, “in the lab,” soaking it all in. That’s not just “bring your daughter to work day”-that’s Savannah actively involving Zhuri, showing her the ins and outs, the hard work, and the vision it takes to build something from the ground up. It’s a different kind of blueprint than the one LeBron might be drawing up on a basketball court, but it’s just as powerful.
So, while LeBron is focused on his on-court legacy and potentially sharing that with his sons, Savannah is out here crafting a legacy of grace, entrepreneurship, and authentic influence, with Zhuri watching every move. It’s like they’re a tag team, each parent providing a unique, powerful example for their kids. The James family isn’t just a basketball dynasty; they’re building a multi-generational blueprint for success, on and off the court, and it’s pretty awesome to watch unfold.
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