Who will make their Met Gala debut in 2026? The storied event is often a launchpad for future A-listers, serving as a coming-out party of sorts to cement a pivotal year in a celebrity’s career. Think Olivia Rodrigo walking the Met Gala carpet for the first time in 2021 after the success of “Drivers License,” or Doechii in 2025 after winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal. Even Rihanna was once a Met Gala first-timer before she became royalty.
As the Met Gala 2026 red carpet floods with newcomers and big names alike, explore this year’s Met Gala first-timers, along with the recent accomplishments that helped get them here.
Sunday Rose Kidman Urban
Model Sunday Rose, the daughter of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, wore Dior for her first Met Gala outing. The 17-year-old has been making waves in the fashion world, walking Dior’s Paris Fashion Week show last fall and walking with brands like Miu Miu and Calvin Klein.
Tyriq Withers
Rising heartthrob Tyriq Withers has been everywhere on our screens as of late, moving effortlessly from the Jordan Peele-produced sports thriller Him to the Colleen Hoover romantic drama Reminders of Him to the horror reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer. (He even joined PinkPantheress and Chase Infiniti on stage at Coachella.) Withers, 27, broke out in Atlanta and Tell Me Lies, and quickly rose to the top of one-to-watch lists around the internet.
At Met Gala 2026, Withers looked smart in Louis Vuitton.
Connor Storrie
Fresh off a cameo on Saturday Night Live to introduce Olivia Rodrigo, Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie took the Met Gala 2026 red carpet for his debut at the event, alongside his co-star Hudson Williams, of course.
Connor Storrie is a Saint Laurent ambassador—he also wore the brand for his Saturday Night Live hosting gig—and thus wore Saint Laurent to the Met Gala, looking sharp as ever.
Jisoo
Actress and BLACKPINK member Jisoo has made her highly-anticipated Met Gala debut at the 2026 event.
In addition to her work with BLACKPINK, including a recent new mini-album, Jisoo also stole hearts this year in the Netflix K-drama Boyfriend on Demand, where she played a jaded young woman who goes on immersive dates with AI boyfriends because she’s scared to fall in love with a real one. And truly, relatable.
Alysa Liu
If anyone’s had the biggest 2026 so far, it’s Alysa Liu. Liu won gold in individual women’s figure skating at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, and she’s been on a hot streak of appearances in the aftermath, including a Teen Vogue cover and a memorable cameo in Laufey’s “Madwoman” music video. Her halo hair has sparked a serious trend, as has her style more broadly. We’re still thinking about her exhibition performance set to PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside” remix.
At Met Gala 2026, Alysa Liu wore Louis Vuitton and was all smiles, flashing her iconic frenulum piercing.
EJAE
The Kpop Demon Hunters star made an incredible debut at Met Gala 2026, wearing Swarovski diamonds.
The appearance cements the absolutely bonkers year the cast and creators of the Netflix film have had since the movie came out in June 2025. EJAE, along with her fellow HUNTR/X members Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, have taken their vocal prowess to the Grammys, the Oscars, and even Coachella, where they joined KATSEYE on stage during the first weekend of the festival.
Audrey Nuna
EJAE's costar, who has also been on the momentous press and awards show run with her, Audrey Nuna made her debut too. The singer wore a paint splattered white gown with a matching hat. Upping the ante, she wore an extra long braid and black lipstick.
Karina
Aespa singer and group leader Karina sat front row at her first-ever couture fashion show in 2023, when she attended Thom Browne to much fanfare. Ever since, she’s been a fashion icon to watch and has nabbed partnerships with everyone from Converse to YSL Beauty. In 2024, she officially became a Prada ambassador, and she’s been to multiple Prada shows since, rocking up to Prada’s 2026 Milan Fashion Week outing in a crisp white mid-length dress and blazer.
Fittingly, Karina wore Prada for her debut at Met Gala 2026, stunning in a silver gown and black cape with a matching manicure.
NingNing
Karina was joined by her fellow aespa member NingNing, who wore a beautiful Gucci number in honor of becoming a Gucci ambassador. According to a press release, the singer's dress was “a Gucci couture black dress that embodies a rich, layered femininity where delicacy and strength coexist.” It's not her first foray into high fashion; in 2024, she became a global ambassador for Versace.
Hudson Williams
Heated Rivalry has been the hottest TV phenomenon of the year, so it was 100% certain that star Hudson Williams would be making his Met Gala debut in 2026, alongside co-star Connor Storrie.
The actor, who also recently appeared in Laufey’s “Madwoman” music video, wore Balenciaga to the Met Gala, and he looked good doing it.
Sombr
20-year-old rock musician Sombr has had a pretty killer year. The August 2025 release of his debut album I Barely Know Her has led to performances on Saturday Night Live and at the Grammys, a Grammy nom for Best New Artist, and a new hit single, “Homewrecker.”
Sombr attended the Met Gala for the first time with Valentino, where he is a brand ambassador.
Odessa A'Zion
Following the success of I Love LA and an awards season red carpet run full of memorable looks, Odessa A'Zion officially made her Met Gala debut. The star is known for her unique style and tonight was no exception! She went with a Valentino corseted body suit and a flower bra and cape, with Pandora jewelry.
Chase Infiniti
Dressed by Thom Browne, Testaments star Chase Infiniti made her Met Gala debut in a colorful trompe l'oeil dress with fringe. While this may be her first time on this red carpet, the actor has had plenty of practice thanks to her awards season run as a part of the One Battle After Another cast.
Tate Mcrae
“Sports car” singer Tate Mcrae brought her classically chic style to the Met Gala with a lace and feather gold gown. She has been turning out the red carpet looks lately, from the Grammys to the Vanity Fair Oscars party, so this feels like a natural progression for the star.
Blue Ivy Carter
In perhaps the buzziest, most triumphant debut we’ve seen all night, 14-year-old Blue Ivy Carter stepped onto the Met Gala 2026 red carpet.
Supporting mom Beyoncé, who is a Met Gala co-chair this year, Blue Ivy was truly a moment at the 2026 Met Gala. The event caps off an exciting year for the budding performer, who took the stage as a dancer during Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour.
Finn Wolfhard
Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard made his Met Gala debut in Thom Browne.
This story will be updated live as the Met Gala red carpet continues.
