Celebrities arrived at the 2026 Met Gala with bold interpretations of this year’s theme, “costume art,” as organizers encouraged guests to embrace a lavish and whimsical dress code.
The annual event, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, once again gave celebrities and fashion houses a chance to go all out with spectacle and creativity.
For full coverage, see: Met Gala 2026 red carpet
Broadway star Joshua Henry opened the carpet with a dramatic performance of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” joined by a band and dancers on the Met’s iconic steps, which had been transformed to resemble moss-covered bricks in a lush garden setting.
This year’s guest list was especially star-studded, with co-chairs including singer Beyoncé, actor Nicole Kidman, tennis legend Venus Williams, and Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour.
A procession of celebrities, including Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Naomi Osaka, and Angela Bassett, posed for photographers on the red carpet.
Several famous faces, including Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, and Katy Perry, were barely recognizable as they fully committed to the theme, with some stars drawing direct inspiration from famous artists and artworks in their looks.
Beyoncé’s Return
One of the night’s biggest moments was Beyoncé’s return to the Met Gala after a 10-year absence. As a co-chair, she arrived in a custom shimmering silver Olivier Rousteing gown with skeletal detailing, feathers, and a diamond crown. She was joined by husband Jay-Z and their 14-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, who made her Met Gala debut.
The “Fashion Is Art” dress code inspired many literal and sculptural interpretations.
Heidi Klum appeared as a “living statue,” wearing a prosthetics-heavy design inspired by Raffaele Monti’s 1847 sculpture Veiled Vestal.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrived just after 9:10 p.m. to close down the carpet, with Rihanna wearing a gunmetal Maison Margiela couture look.
Other stars, including Kendall Jenner and Laura Harrier, drew on Roman and Hellenistic art with draped gowns designed to resemble marble.
Rock icon Stevie Nicks surprised guests with her first-ever Met Gala appearance, later performing alongside Sabrina Carpenter during the evening’s festivities.
For the first time, the exhibition also included mannequins representing a wider range of body types and disabilities. Aariana Rose Philip became the first wheelchair user to attend.
Story by Nana Akua Amponsah || Metro Digital
