10 most memorable celebrity moments from Met Gala: From Doja Cat's feline look to Lady Gaga's striptease
A look back at the most outrageous celebrity moments from the Met Gala
The hotly-anticipated annual Met Gala will be held on May 6. Celebrities, models and fashion insiders come together on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's steps, showcasing their best style. It's the year's most awaited red carpet event, where creativity and glamor reign supreme. Over the years, the Met Gala has witnessed numerous unforgettable moments, from jaw-dropping fashion statements to unexpected surprises on the red carpet. Let's take a look back at some of the most talked-about celebrity moments from past galas.
1. Doja Cat's feline fantasy, 2023
Doja Cat probably wanted to live up to her surname so much so that at the 2023 Met Gala, which was named 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' in tribute to the legendary designer who died in 2019, she arrived in full-on feline form as homage to Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette. Clad in a custom hand-beaded gown and hood with ears, Doja Cat's sartorial prowess captured the essence of the event's avant-garde spirit. Truly, she's never been afraid to push boundaries.
2. Kim Kardashian's Marilyn Monroe moment, 2022
Kim Kardashian did get the attention she was looking for at the 2022 Met Gala and not all of it was positive. The reality TV star turned heads at the 2022 gala by briefly donning Marilyn Monroe's iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress for the red carpet photos where she posed with then BF Pete Davidson. Borrowed from the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, the form-fitting Jean-Louis gown showcased the Kardashian's famous curves in all the right places. But not everyone took kindly to her wearing the iconic dress and there were allegations that she even damaged the dress, but that was proven false later.
3. Timothee Chalamet's grand entrance, 2021
Timothee Chalamet made his debut at the Met Gala in 2021, co-chairing the event alongside Naomi Osaka, Amanda Gorman, and Billie Eilish. As he arrived, he was greeted by a swarm of enthusiastic fans, setting the stage for a memorable entrance. Chalamet's journey to the Met Gala was a spectacle in itself, documented through a live-streamed virtual performance art piece on Instagram. Starting from the Frick Madison, where he collaborated on an installation with French artist JR and composer Nicholas Britell, Chalamet's procession to the museum captivated audiences both online and in person.
4. Lady Gaga's theatrical striptease, 2019
Lady Gaga's performance at the 2019 Met Gala for 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' left the audience speechless. She arrived in a stunning fuchsia Brandon Maxwell cape gown with a 25-foot train. Throughout the event, she theatrically removed layer after layer, eventually revealing herself in lingerie, fishnets, and sky-high heels while writhing on the steps of the Met.
5. Jared Leto's eerie accessory, 2019
Jared Leto took accessory innovation to new heights at the 2019 Met Gala. Instead of opting for traditional jewelry or watches, he made a bold statement by carrying a replica of his own severed head as a Gucci accessory. This shocking yet captivating move, inspired by Gucci's fall 2018 runway, left onlookers both terrified and mesmerized.
6. 2 Chainz's surprise proposal steals the show, 2018
At the 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' gala in 2018, rapper 2 Chainz left attendees stunned with an unexpected gesture. On the red carpet, he dropped to one knee and proposed to his partner, Kesha Ward. While the crowd erupted in cheers and photographers snapped away, it later emerged that this wasn't the first time 2 Chainz had proposed to Ward. Five years earlier, he had popped the question at the BET Awards, showcasing his penchant for grand romantic gestures. The couple eventually tied the knot in August.
7. Katy Perry's angelic arrival, 2018
In the same 2018 "Heavenly Bodies" themed gala, Katy Perry made a dramatic entrance that quickly became the talk of the town. Clad in a custom Versace creation complete with angel wings, Perry's outfit was not only a fashion statement but also a logistical challenge. The singer needed an open-top vehicle to transport her to the venue, adding an extra touch of spectacle to her arrival. As she casually cruised through the streets of Manhattan with her theatrical wings on display, pedestrians couldn't help but stop and stare, solidifying Perry's reputation as a fashion icon willing to push the boundaries.
8. Jaden Smith's symbolic red carpet accessory, 2017
At the Met Gala celebrating 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between' in 2017, Jaden Smith made a statement with his unconventional choice of accessory. Several weeks prior, Smith had chopped off his bleached dreadlocks for a film role. However, instead of leaving them behind, he carried them in his hand as he walked the red carpet.
9. Beyonce's solo appearance after 'Lemonade', 2016
Following the release of her groundbreaking visual album 'Lemonade', Beyonce faced intense speculation about the state of her marriage to Jay Z. However, at the 2016 Met Gala, Queen Bey surprised everyone by stepping onto the red carpet solo. Wearing a nude latex Givenchy gown, she exuded confidence, sparking a frenzy of Internet speculation and jokes about the infamous 'Becky with the good hair'.
10. Rihanna's yellow fur-trimmed dress, 2015
In 2015, Rihanna stole the spotlight at the Met Gala with her unforgettable fashion choices and lively performance. Clad in a golden Guo Pei fur-trimmed dress, Rihanna became the subject of countless memes and viral jokes. The canary-colored, larger-than-life dress will forever live in our minds. However, her most iconic moment of the evening came when she climbed onto a dinner table and opened the performance of her song 'B***h Better Have My Money'. Rihanna's electrifying presence and fearless demeanor was just the icing on the cake.
