Over the weekend, 14-year-old Shai Moss stepped onto the red carpet at the BET Awards alongside her father, rapper and host Bow Wow, sparking a conversation about her bold fashion choice.
Shai arrived in a chic all-black ensemble featuring a thigh-high cut-out near her hip—a daring choice that quickly caught social media’s attention. While some praised her maturity, others questioned whether the look was too grown-up for a teenager.
The Red Carpet Moment
During Bow Wow’s segment as red carpet correspondent at the Peacock Theater in L.A., he shared a proud father moment, teasing Shai about her height and complimenting her presence. The father-daughter duo shared laughs and confidence, with Shai even joking she’s “almost as tall” as her dad.
But social media buzzed—not just about their chemistry, but about that cut-out dress. Many fans were split: some defended Shai’s look and poise, while critics called it “too mature” for a 14-year-old.
This the point we at in life. BowWow hosting red carpets with his daughter. Early millennials, we old 😩😂😂 https://t.co/pqywTDFphY
— ‘Skool tweekin’ G. (@Charlie_Breeze) June 12, 2025
Joie Chavis Speaks Up
Shai’s mom, entrepreneur Joie Chavis, took to livestreams to address the scrutiny. She revealed that neither she nor her daughter realized the wardrobe detail beforehand.
“There was a misunderstanding with the stylist,” Joie explained, adding that they didn’t have a backup outfit and rushed onto the carpet without the chance to change.
She emphasized how the public backlash affected Shai: “She had to deal with thousands of adult comments,” Joie said, expressing that had she been on site, they would’ve handled it differently.”
Shai’s Perspective
Shai later appeared alongside her mother in a separate video. Gracefully, she acknowledged that the dress didn’t turn out as intended: “It’s a bit much.” She shared that though she felt uneasy, time constraints prevented a switch. Despite the attention, her composure and candid reflections showed maturity far beyond her years
While Shai’s mom responded with grace many questioned why Bow Wow wasn’t judged when he was the parent present.
Thoughts?