Kash Doll and Za’Darius Smith hit the 2025 BET Awards in head-to-toe brown leather (or was it faux?) matching fits that immediately sparked chaos.
Well, well, well, the BET Awards 2025 red carpet always delivers drama, and this year, it was Kash Doll and Za’Darius Smith who brought the heat and a whole lot of commentary. They showed up looking loved-up, even sharing a sweet smooch for the cameras, but it wasn’t their affection that got everyone talking. It was their matching outfits that left fans and fashion critics alike scratching their heads, with some even calling it a fashion misstep of epic proportions!
Kash Doll and her new man, Za’Darius Smith, certainly made a statement at the Peacock Theater on June 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. They arrived in coordinated brown ensembles, appearing to be made of leather or faux leather, complete with a distinct reptilian or crocodile skin texture. Kash Doll sported a form-fitting, floor-length dress with extensive lacing down the side, creating a corset-like effect that showed glimpses of skin. Za’Darius matched her energy in a two-piece set featuring a sleeveless vest with breast pockets and loose-fitting pants, accessorized with a prominent chain, a large belt buckle, and a substantial watch. Their coordinated look was striking.
Unfortunately for the couple, “striking” didn’t translate to “fashion-forward” for many. They quickly landed on “Worst Dressed” lists, with some fans comparing their brown leather moment to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s iconic (and arguably infamous) denim explosion at the 2001 AMAs! It seems creativity was a talking point, or lack thereof, according to social media.
This red carpet appearance comes after what has reportedly been a “rough patch” in their relationship. Just last month, around May 14, social media sleuths allegedly uncovered a picture of Za’Darius Smith in a hotel room with another woman’s feet visible in the background.
However, the football player wasn’t having any of it, vehemently denying the allegations on his Instagram Story. “Uploading something from last year to try and break us up is crazy,” he declared. He then made it clear where Kash Doll stood: “Arkeisha Knight [Doll’s real name] isn’t going anywhere! So y’all need to stop trying”. While those posts were swiftly deleted, the internet, as always, had already taken screenshots. And Kash Doll herself seemed to clap back by posting wholesome pictures of Za’Darius backstage at one of her recent shows, with the athlete commenting, “Now I see why these h**s mad.”
For those who missed the start of their romance, Kash Doll confirmed their relationship back in April during an interview, following a trip to Ghana that sparked initial speculation.
Before finding love with Za’Darius, Kash Doll was in a relationship with fellow rapper Tracy T, with whom she shares two children. However, their co-parenting relationship is reportedly “much more contentious these days.”
Did Kash Doll and Za’Darius Smith make a bold fashion statement, or did they miss the mark entirely?
