16 Most Memorable Met Gala Moments in History
We’ve come to know the Met Gala as the biggest night in fashion. Entertainers, models, and industry insiders alike bring their style A-game to the steps of the legendary Metropolitan Museum of Art for the most-awaited red carpet of the year.
This year, the exhibition theme honors “Costume Art,” and to match, the dress code is “Fashion Is Art.” While the guest list and looks are under wraps until the very moment the stars hit the red carpet, if there's anything we've learned from watching the Met Gala evolve over the years, it's to always expect the unexpected.
What happens at the Gala (and sometimes the after-parties) that keeps the Internet talking for days, months, and years to come. Throughout the years, the star-studded event has been the site of many unforgettable, wild, and iconic moments — from the arrival of Princess Diana in 1996 following the divorce from Prince Charles to Rihanna's unforgettable yellow gown.
Here, we look back at some of the most memorable moments in Met Gala history.
Ron Galella/WireImage1/16Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1979
Decades before her incomparable style became the focus of the Met’s 2001 exhibit “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years,” she graced the Met Gala red carpet herself. Of all her looks, this ruffled gown and matching scarf are one of our favorites.
Richard Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Images2/16Princess Diana in 1996
In 1996, the Princess of Wales, fresh off her divorce from Prince Charles, joined her friend, the later former Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis at the Met Costume Institute Gala honoring Christian Dior. That night, Diana made a rare public appearance wearing a midnight blue dress from creative director John Galliano’s first collection with the house, paired with blue “double cluster” drop sapphire earrings surrounded by diamonds, as well as a matching choker.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images3/16Sarah Jessica Parker in 2006
Following the year’s theme of “AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion," Sarah Jessica Parker, in the midst of her Sex and the City popularity, attended with Lee Alexander McQueen. The pair wore matching tartan evening attire and made Met Gala history.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images4/16Rihanna in 2015
So much has been said (and memed) about the iconic Guo Pei dress Rihanna to the Met's "China: Through the Looking Glass" exhibit in 2015. The canary-colored, larger-than-life dress always comes to mind when we think about the Met Gala.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com5/16Beyoncé in 2016
A week after Beyoncé dropped her groundbreaking album Lemonade, she surprised everyone by appearing solo on the red carpet in a latex number by Givenchy.
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Rihanna in 2018
Rihanna as the pope? Consider me blessed! As a co-chair of the night, many were in anticipation to see how Rihanna would attend the 2018 Met Gala — and she didn't disappoint!
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Zendaya in 2019
Disney, we're still waiting on you to cast Zendaya as Cinderella in a live-action remake. Her red carpet moment at the 2019 gala was proof enough of how perfect she is for it! What's more "camp" than a Disney fairytale come to life?
- ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images8/16
Lady Gaga in 2019
We can always expect Lady Gaga to put on a show, and she absolutely delivered at the 2019 Met Gala under the theme "Camp: Notes on Fashion." Gaga wore a Brandon Maxwell masterpiece as she continuously stripped down the dress until left in her sheer undergarments. It was bold, dramatic, and everything camp should be.
- Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images9/16
Blake Lively in 2022
As the chair of the 2022 Met Gala, Blake Lively committed to the “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” theme with her color-changing gown. She arrived on the red carpet in an all-copper dress and later, with some help, she unfolded the dress to reveal a turquoise train. The Versace gown was not only a nod to the Statue of Liberty and its oxidation but also Blake's role in Gossip Girl.
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Billie Eilish in 2022
For 2022's Met Gala, Billie Eilish fully committed to the theme. She gave her ode to "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" with a super-tight, corseted dress from Gucci.
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Emma Chamberlain in 2022
With only a microphone and a dream, Emma Chamberlain delivered some of the most iconic moments of the 2022 Met Gala thanks to her chaotic celeb interviews. One of the most unforgettable was her chat with Jack Harlow which ended with the duo awkwardly saying "love you" to each other as they said goodbye.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images12/16Rihanna in 2023
When Rihanna steps on the Met Gala red carpet, everyone watches. The 2023 version of this event was no different, especially since the singer wore yet another impossibly long train. What made this appearance even more notable was that she was very, very fashionably late.
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BLACKPINK's Jennie in 2023
The stars aligned when Chanel ambassador Jennie made her long-awaited debut in 2023 for the “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” theme. She wore a '90s vintage look, complete with a choker necklace.
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Zendaya in 2024
What's better than one great look? Two great looks! As a co-chair for the 2024 Met Gala, Zendaya walked the carpet not once but twice. She came out in this second bonus look!
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Tyla in 2024
The sand-covered fitted dress Tyla wore to the 2024 Met Gala truly captured the magic of the dress code, “The Garden of Time."
- Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images16/16
Doechii in 2025
For the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Doechii stepped out in a mixed print suit with a satin bow tie, giving classic suiting a modern twist.
