NEW YORK — Angela Bassett is the most popular person in the room.

The Oscar-winning actress has a growing crowd of onlookers and fans, approaching her to take photos and telling her how much she means to them. Their excitement is no surprise, but Bassett's presence – front row at Pamella Roland's New York Fashion Week show Tuesday – is a welcome shock to the system. 

The "Black Panther" star regally sat front row to take in the high-wattage glitz making its way down the runway at Spring Studios downtown, the official fashion week hub. Dressed in a fully sequined pantsuit, Bassett looked exactly like the caliber of star she is, posing for photos with a twinkle in her eye and a knowing gaze that shouts, "I’m her."

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Roland's spring/summer 2024 collection transports to the Moroccan paradise of Marrakech, weaving in the vibrant blue tones of the city and highlighting ethereal glamour with flowing chiffon and jeweled and feathered dresses. 

Bassett quickly took her phone out of her purse to capture a long-sleeved bronze column dress bedazzled from top to bottom with jewels.

While a mile-mounting mob surrounded her before the show began, Bassett was quickly whisked away post-show to meet the designer backstage. 

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She clapped excitedly for the designer when she came out at the end of the show, Roland grabbing the hands of her children in the front row and bringing them with her down the runway for support. 

The theme of the collection comes days after a devastating earthquake that has killed more than 2,800 people in Morocco. The Moroccan military and rescue teams from multiple nations were struggling Monday to reach remote villages devastated by Friday's earthquake. 

The High Atlas Mountains province of Al Haouz took the brunt of the destruction, and residents feverishly cleared away rocks and debris from collapsed buildings in search of loved ones. People in Amizmiz, 35 miles southwest of Marrakech, cheered when trucks loaded with soldiers rolled into town Sunday.

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