Forever Star Michael Cooper Jr. Takes Us Behind His First Fashion Show

There are some things in life you'll never forget, and your first fashion show is one of them. For Forever star Michael Cooper Jr., that first happened this past weekend, when he jetted off to Milan to attend the Emporio Armani spring 2026 men's fashion show.

When you are getting ready for your first fashion show, you want everything to go perfectly and smoothly. Unfortunately for Cooper, that was already in trouble when he found himself on Italian soil with food poisoning — but still, with some cooling face masks and some warm water with bitters, he persevered.

Before he made his Milan Fashion Week debut, Michael Cooper Jr. took Teen Vogue behind the scenes while getting ready and took the time to answer some of our most pressing questions about his style, including the key differences and similarities he shares with Justin. Keep reading for it all below.

Teen Vogue: Is this your first fashion show?

Michael Cooper Jr.: Yes, this is my first fashion show ever.

TV: How are you feeling about it?

MCJ: I am excited. I never thought I would be in Milan getting ready for an Armani show. It feels surreal.

TV: What was the inspiration behind your look for the show?

MCJ: We wanted to have a summer feel, so we went with light materials and a light colored suit to encompass that vibe.

TV: Can you walk us through the process of picking your outfit?

MCJ: It was really just a discussion of what represents style and Italian tailoring at its finest. We decided to do that in our own way, and luckily had the honor of doing this with Emporio Armani.

TV: What vibe were you going for with your glam?

MCJ: Clean and natural.

TV: How long do you usually take to get ready for an event like this?

MCJ: I haven’t been to an event like this before, but usually, if my glam team is involved, it’s about an hour.

TV: Do you get nervous when getting ready for big events?

MCJ: I don’t think I get nervous; it is more about anticipation for me. I live in Texas, away from the craziness of Hollywood, so these types of events are all pretty new to me.

TV: How would you describe your personal style right now?

MCJ: My personal style is all about comfort. I want to feel at ease in whatever I am wearing.

TV: What’s your favorite — and least favorite — look you’ve ever worn?

MCJ: I’m not sure I have one specific favorite look, but I really appreciate a nice, tailored suit for special occasions. There’s something about putting one on — it makes me feel confident, sharp, and ready for anything.

As for my least favorite look, I’d have to say it was my elementary charter school uniform: green or navy blue polo-style shirt and tan or navy blue trousers. Everyone looked exactly the same, and I felt like I couldn’t express my personality or style at all.

TV: Speaking of expressing personality. How would you say your style differs from, or is similar to, Justin’s in Forever?

MCJ: Justin definitely rocks a lot of plaid flannel shirts — way more than I ever did back in 2017 or 2018! I don’t think my wardrobe had quite the overabundance of plaid that Justin wears in Forever. But where we’re similar is in our preference for comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for everyday life. I’ve always liked outfits that let me move and feel relaxed, and I think that’s something Justin and I would agree on.

TV: What’s a look you’d love to see Justin wearing in Forever season 2 if you were given the chance?

MCJ: How about an Armani fit? Full circle moment…

TV: What is your advice to young people prepping for a big, important night in their world?

MCJ: Don’t overthink and stress out. One of the biggest takeaways from my show, Forever, is that you need to love yourself first. Don’t get caught up in what others think about you or expect you to be like, look like. Be true to yourself. Surround yourself with people who support you and lift you up, so the stress of those big moments won't overwhelm you.