15 Met Gala Red Carpet Moments That Are Still Living Rent Free in Our Heads
The countdown to the 2026 Met Gala has officially begun. As the event takes over the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Monday (May 4), we’ll be checking our social media feeds to see how our favorite celebrities nailed this year’s “Fashion Is Art” theme. Every year, the carpet event always delivers shocking, unforgettable moments. From Jared Leto’s giant cat appearance in 2023 to Andre 3000’s grand piano reveal in 2025, we have seen it all. Before Monday’s event, let’s take a trip down memory lane at our favorite Met Gala moments.
Rihanna’s Iconic Met Gala Dress
Rihanna gave us the most jaw-dropping moment in 2015 as she arrived in a massive yellow Guo Pei gown that was so big, it practically covered the entire staircase. The real party happened inside when Rihanna performed “B***h Better Have My Money.”
Dressed In Oxblood
Cardi B’s massive Thom Browne dress was a show-stopper. Living up to the 2019 “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme, the oxblood quilted gown was so large that she had a dedicated team escort her into the event. It remains as one of the most “camp” things to ever happen at the Met Gala.
Lady Gaga’s 16-Minute Entrance
If there’s one thing Lady Gaga will do, it’s give us a show. Who could forget her 2019 Met Gala entrance? The famed singer spent 16 entertaining minutes shedding layers of pink and black gowns until she was down to her bra and undies.
Frank Ocean The Photographer
Frank Ocean wanted to capture all the memories, so he brought out his own camera to snap a few photos on the carpet. What a great way to capture memories.
One Man Show
Jaws dropped as André 3000 arrived at the 2025 Met Gala carpet event carrying a baby grand piano on his back. The unforgettable moment was major because the piano was tied to his surprise release of 7 Piano sketches, so we got a little of a fashion statement and music promotion at the same time.
Feline Fantasy
Doja Cat was another unforgettable moment as she arrived at the 2023 Met Gala in full feline prosthetics as a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. Fully dedicated to the character for the event, she conducted her red-carpet interviews, responding to every question with nothing but “meows” and purrs.
Choupette On The Red Carpet
Creative minds think alike, as Jared Leto hit the red carpet event dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette. We can only guess he didn’t want Doja Cat to outdo him.
Dressed In Silver Glitter
Lil Nas X turned himself into a living piece of jewelry for the 2023 Met Gala. Arriving in nothing but a silver thong, he was covered head to toe in silver body paint, pearls, and crystals with a mask with whisker-like details to lean into the event’s cat theme.
2 Chainz Proposes To Kesha Ward
In a moment that no one saw coming, 2 Chainz got down on one knee to propose to longtime partner Kesha Ward at the 2018 Met Gala event. We absolutely love a grand gesture!
Beyonće & Jay-Z Before That Elevator Fight
Beyoncé & Jay-Z arrived as the stunning power couple we love them as before everything went down in the elevator.
Walking To The Met Gala
As one of the co-chairs of the 2021 Met Gala, Timothée Chalamet made it a stan moment as he walked partway to the event in sweats before changing into his gala outfit. On his way, he greeted fans and snapped photos before heading inside to the main carpet event.
Golden Wings
Katy Perry made one of the most dramatic arrivals at the 2018 Met Gala carpet by stepping out in a gold Versace minidress, thigh-high boots, and massive feather angel wings, making the moment a spectacle. Befitting the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme, she arrived in a vintage convertible, and the wings were so huge that they caused some chaos on the steps.
Balenciaga Black Out Moment
Kim Kardashian made a huge statement at the 2021 “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” gala by arriving completely covered head to toe in black Balenciaga. From the face mask, gloves, and long train, she looked like a high-fashion shadow.
Nicki Minaj and Demi Lovato’s “Awkward” Exchange
At the 2016 Met Gala, Demi Lovato and Nicki Minaj shared an infamously awkward run-in that quickly turned into an internet feud. After Minaj posted a group photo from the carpet without tagging her, Lovato shared a candid shot of Minaj throwing her some vicious side-eye. The post, captioned “this picture pretty much summed up my first and probably last Met,” prompted fans to call Minaj out for being shady. Why can’t the girls get along?
Anyone Hungry?
Teyana Taylor was the real MVP of the 2023 Met Gala for the most hilarious reason: she snuck a full Chick-fil-A meal into the museum and ate it right at the dinner table. Even while rocking a custom Thom Browne tweed gown, the fashion icon wasn’t about to be famished during fashion’s biggest night.
