The Broadway star and BFF Lea Michele channeled Beyoncé in leather-clad style at her MetLife Stadium show, with Groff reviving a familiar look from HBO’s Looking
When it comes to serving unforgettable fashion moments, Jonathan Groff proved he’s not one to be upstaged — not even at a Beyoncé concert.
The Hamilton and Mindhunter star attended the Cowboy Carter Tour stop at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday, May 25, alongside longtime best friend and Glee alum Lea Michele, and the duo did not disappoint. Both embraced the tour’s Western-chic theme with bold, leather-heavy ensembles that paid homage to the night’s headliner — and in Groff’s case, to his own past on-screen persona.
Michele, 38, kept things classic with a modern twist, pairing a black shirt and denim jeans with a sleek black leather jacket, cowboy boots, and a matching cowboy hat. Groff, 40, turned up the volume, wearing a daring and playful look that referenced his time on HBO’s Looking.
A Flashback to Looking
Groff’s standout look for the night? Leather chaps worn over sparkling black hot pants, a sequined cowboy hat, and a shirtless leather vest — nearly identical to one his character, Patrick Murray, famously sported in Looking. The HBO series, which aired from 2014 to 2015, featured a memorable scene where Groff’s character rocked a leather vest with nothing underneath — a nod that surely didn’t go unnoticed by longtime fans.
The nostalgic outfit added layers of meaning and flair to an already vibrant evening. Sharing the moment on Instagram, Michele posted behind-the-scenes shots of the duo, including one where she cheekily straddles Groff, who playfully sticks out his tongue as he holds her in the parking lot outside the stadium.
More Than Just a Night Out
Groff wasn’t alone — he also attended the show with castmates from his current production, Just in Time, including actor Lance Roberts, who shared more sweet snaps from the evening.
The concert appearance also echoed the duo’s shared history with Beyoncé’s music. Fans of Glee will remember that Michele’s character, Rachel Berry, famously covered the Beyoncé and Lady Gaga hit “Telephone” in the show’s early seasons. Though Groff’s character Jesse St. James never performed a Beyoncé track on-screen, Groff himself has had a memorable off-stage interaction with the music icon.
A Royal Encounter with Queen Bey
On the Table Manners podcast with Jessie & Lennie Ware, Groff recently recounted a backstage moment that any fan would dream of. After seeing Hamilton on Broadway, Beyoncé approached him and asked, “Were you the king?” referring to his scene-stealing role as King George III. Then, in true Beyoncé form, she stepped back, mimicked his royal strut across the stage, and declared, “I’m gonna steal your walk.”
Groff was floored. “Beyoncé is the closest thing to religion that I have for myself,” he said, summing up what many fans likely feel.
From Broadway to Beyoncé
Groff and Michele’s appearance at the Cowboy Carter Tour was more than just a celebrity outing — it was a stylish reunion, a wink to past roles, and a night shared with the performer they both deeply admire. And while the spotlight belonged to Beyoncé, Groff’s bold outfit and heartfelt fandom served as a reminder: the stage isn’t the only place he can command attention.
In the world of pop culture crossovers and nostalgic callbacks, this concert cameo was a glittering, leather-clad highlight.
