Why Tiffany Haddish's runway appearance at Monse is the most talked-about moment of NYFW

New York Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2025 season officially ended on September 11, but moments from the five-day event are still being discussed online.

From Grier Henchy to Dream Kardashian to Offset, several A-list celebs made their runway debut, walking for dream brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Luar. And while most of these moments were met with praise and admiration from showgoers and fans at home, other unforeseen appearances on the runway were not well received.

On September 7, Tiffany Haddish caused controversy when she stood up from her seat to strut down the runway at Monse's spring/summer presentation. The two-minute facade was not planned by the 44-year-old actress or the brand, but by the one and only Kathy Hilton.

In videos from the show, Haddish was seen alongside Hilton and her two daughters – Paris and Nicky Rothschild – with Hilton appearing to say, “Go now,” and encouraging the Girls trip Star walking down the catwalk between the official models.

“Now, right now. Go downstairs and tell the photographer,” Hilton demanded, to which Haddish asked, “Should I do it now?”

“Yes, now! There’s nothing going on,” shouted the 65-year-old fashion designer.

In a pear-colored satin suit, Haddish left her front row seat to experience her big moment as an unofficial Monse model. And the Evening school The star took his time and walked around the catwalk to the applause and cheers of the guests.

After the show, Paris Hilton released footage of Haddish on the runway and admitted that her mother had instigated the runway walk.

“My mom @KathyHilton challenged @TiffanyHaddish to walk the @MonseMaison runway. But as Tiff always says… 'She's ready,' her caption read.

On Instagram, Kris Jenner complimented Hilton. “God I love your mother,” she wrote. But while she, Hilton, her daughters and Haddish may have found the action amusing and iconic, some critics argued that the impromptu walk was “disappointing.”

One viewer addressed his comment to Haddish: “You were a guest at the fashion show, not a staff member – not there to entertain anyone. You were there like everyone else to enjoy the show, not to walk around in it.”

“I think this is pretty disrespectful to the designers,” agreed a second user, while another added, “I actually find this rude.”

Others thought Hilton was intentionally trying to embarrass Haddish. “That wasn't a challenge, that was a demand,” one woman stressed.

Meanwhile, another viewer said: “I hope one day you learn the difference between someone laughing with you and at you.”

Monse creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia took to social media to discuss Haddish's runway debut during the show. Kim asked the A-list beauty to explain what prompted her to get up and do it.

The movie star confessed that not only did Hilton challenge her, but that Paris and Nicky also gave her a lot of encouragement. Kim and Gracia didn't know what was going on when they heard the noise of the crowd. While the two designers seemed to laugh as Haddish explained herself, Kim subtly said that she didn't know if there would be a “next time” for the actress at her show.

That means, in conversation with PeopleGarcia emphasized, “At Monse, Tiffany Haddish and Kathy Hilton are family, and the best sign of love and support is to show that we all had fun being on the show.

“We are very lucky to have friends like them and hope they will open and close our show next season.”

The Independent has asked Haddish and Hilton for comment.