For weeks, the clip of Taylor Rooks walking the red carpet at the GQ event and the subsequent online explosion of what many called a “big moment” has stirred internet speculation. Reporters, sports fans and social-media users alike watched as the footage spread rapidly—with millions of views—and the subject of the attention finally broke her silence on Angel Reese’s show. Now, Taylor is offering her side of the story.

At first glance, Taylor’s appearance in a shimmering, semi-transparent green dress—with obvious daring style and bold aesthetic—may have seemed like a standard red-carpet statement. But once the moment went viral, the narrative quickly shifted from fashion-forward to controversial. Critics honed in on the outfit, some suggesting it stepped outside of acceptable lines for a sports broadcaster. Taylor says she was caught off-guard by how large the reaction became.

“Honestly, I just saw it blow up,” Taylor said during her appearance on Angel’s program. She admitted she was surprised by the intensity of the response, both good and bad. According to her, the event and the clip were nothing more than a professional appearance, but the internet turned it into something else—something far bigger.

The heart of Taylor’s commentary lies in what she described as the pressure on women in the public eye, especially in sports media. She said: “What I was really struck by was the sort of respectability politics around how women dress and what they’re ‘allowed’ to do.” Acknowledging that she wore “pasties” to cover certain parts of her outfit, she defended the look and the choice behind it. She argued that women should have the freedom to decide how to present themselves, without the specter of “what does this mean” creeping into judgments. According to her, there was nothing sinister or calculated behind the outfit—just a bold style moment.

Still, the fallout was intense. Some social-media users framed the look as evidence of unprofessionalism, while others rallied to Taylor’s defense, applauding her confidence and perspective. Behind the scenes, the unpredictability of viral moments became painfully real. “You prepare for coverage, you pick your outfit, you show up,” she explained. “But you don’t always anticipate how it’ll land or what people will say.”

On Angel’s show, Taylor was asked whether she regretted wearing the outfit or whether she would change anything. Her answer was straightforward: no regrets. Instead, she emphasized the broader conversation the situation sparked. “This moment opened up a conversation I think needed to be had about women, appearance and judgement in sports broadcasting,” she said. “I’m glad for that.”

The viral video from the GQ event wasn’t Taylor’s first brush with online buzz—she’s accustomed to being in high-visibility roles and live coverage scenarios. But this particular moment had a distinct energy, one she described as “unexpected.” The idea that a quick clip could ripple so widely, bringing scrutiny she hadn’t anticipated, still surprises her.

For many observers, Taylor’s willingness to discuss the moment openly on Angel’s show reflects a shift. Instead of letting the moment pass, she chose to engage, confront perceptions and push for a deeper dialogue. In doing so, she reclaimed the narrative and turned what some might see as an embarrassing spotlight into something constructive.

As social-media commentary continues to swirl, Taylor says her focus remains on her craft—reporting, hosting, creating. The outfit, the event, the viral clip—they’re part of the story, certainly—but not the whole story. For her, the bigger picture matters: representation, authenticity, freedom of choice.

By speaking out publicly, Taylor invites both fans and critics to look beyond the headline and ask themselves: Why do we assign meaning to what someone’s wearing? Why does the reaction to a dress overshadow the person wearing it? In a media climate where looks and optics often drive the narrative, her words feel timely.

In the end, Taylor’s message is clear: she’s more than a viral moment. She’s a professional who embraces challenge and reflection, someone willing to say, “Yes, this happened—and here’s what I think.” And if a bold fashion choice leads the way into a conversation about respect, judgement and freedom, then she seems okay with that.