Getting Ready for the Gold Gala with Rhea Raj
Rhea Raj is not just one of music’s most promising prodigies. Among new-generation stars, the Indian-American singer also flaunts one of the most idiosyncratic style profiles. Doubling as a rising music sensation and fashion it girl in the making, Rhea is eternally ready to deliver a style statement. Or at least, that’s the energy she radiates as she takes Team EnVi behind the scenes of her preparation for the 2024 Gold Gala.
In case you missed it, the annual Gold Gala, organized by the non-profit Gold House, is one of the biggest nights for the Asian Pacific community. Honoring API changemakers from across industries and generations, the event gathers notable personalities celebrating their heritage and cultural contributions.
Rhea Raj returned for the second consecutive time to the event. Last year, she made waves with a stylish Barbiecore get-up by Chinese American designer Kim Shui, who Rhea describes as one of her style icons. Keen on embracing and representing her Indian heritage on the red carpet, the “Devil in A Dress” singer departed from pink for the 2024 Gold Gala and opted for a trendy and sultry hooded dress accompanied by alluring glam.
“I’m so excited. I’ve been looking forward to this for months,” she anticipated before the event. “It’s going to be surreal being in a room filled with API entrepreneurs, creatives — everyone — just celebrating each other’s success and seeing people that I look up to in all fields, all coming together on this day […] to celebrate and uplift each other.”
Read on as Gen Z pop star Rhea Raj talks EnVi through her Gold Gala look and dishes about her pre-event rituals, supporting the API community and what’s in her getting-ready playlist.
“My dress is by Andre Emery,” Rhea explains, “It’s a hooded gown — beautiful and deep-red — [that also] functions as a skirt and a top. The detail work on it reminds me a lot of Indian patterns and the fabric is super soft and fuzzy. Whoever [wears it] is sexy.”
“The biggest thing is that it makes me feel confident and fierce. I like to feel sexy. It also has to be something that pushes me out of my comfort zone, fashion-wise. For me, this look checks all the boxes.”
Rhea’s pre-event routine focuses on inner health as much as on outer health. Preparations include applying face masks, staying hydrated, drinking apple cider vinegar water and practicing yoga.
Reinventing her usual look, Rhea and makeup artist Emilia Weryńska sent each other a slew of photos for makeup and red carpet inspiration. Needless to say, the pursuit was a success.
Just like many of us, Rhea favors high-energy, female-empowering bangers. “Saoko” by Rosalía, “I’m a Slave 4U” by Britney Spears and “Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera are part of her getting-ready playlist. “I need to listen to the songs that are going to make me feel like the baddest girl,” she explains.
“You just have to breathe. I’ve started to try to be calmer or meditate in the car for a couple of minutes before I get to an event. I [tell myself] it’s just not that stressful, it’s all in my head. If I relax, have fun, and enjoy the moment, it goes by so fast!”
Rhea describes herself and her style in three simple words, “playful, sexy, glamorous.”
On the red carpet, as onstage, Rhea Raj flawlessly incorporates her heritage. However, she doesn’t just showcase her cultural roots through fashion and beauty. As she continues to grow her platform, Rhea values the continued ability to empower fellow Asian-Pacific creatives. “I think [we can amplify API voices] just by way of doing things like wearing more [API] designers on carpets, or shouting out artists and music when you come across something, attending shows, being outside — really doing the job, so you’re not just showing up for each other, but walking the walk and talking the talk.”
Talent: Rhea Raj | Makeup: Emilia Weryńska | Interview: Davonna Gilpin | Photography: Jane Rivas
Interested in more beauty and fashion coverage? Check out 17 Standout Beauty Looks Spotted at the 2024 Gold Gala here.
