Met Gala 2026 LIVE updates: Rihanna shines bright like a diamond after Cardi B, Beyonce – See red carpet moments here

The grand staircase is set, the flashbulbs are ready and fashion’s most dazzling spectacle is about to unfold.

The Met Gala 2026 has arrived at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, bringing together the biggest names in entertainment, fashion and culture for an evening of couture, creativity and unforgettable red carpet moments.

With this year’s theme, “Costume Art”, and the dress code “Fashion Is Art”, expect bold statements, dramatic silhouettes and plenty of surprises as the world turns its attention to the most glamorous night on the fashion calendar.

Here are our live updates:

Rihanna in crinkled look

Rihanna marked a late arrival at Met Gala 2026. She stood out in a crinkled silver gown, shining just like a diamond.

Cardi B, Simone Ashley, Teyana Taylor, Gracie Abrams and Blake Lively marked their attendance.

Beyonce at Met Gala after a decade

Beyonce finally returned to Met Gala after a long gap. She joined her daughter, Blue Ivy in an embellished ensemble by Olivier Rousteing

Kim Kardashian arrives

Kim Kardashian attended the 2026 Met Gala. She made a statement in a bronze breastplate molded dress.

Watch:

Heidi Klum goes unrecognisable in Halloween-inspired look

Heidi Klum graced the red carpet in a stone-cold look. Honouring this year's theme, she looked like a living sculpture in a custom Mike Marino.

India celebs at Met Gala 2026

While Manish Malhotra returned to the Met Gala 2026 in a Mumbai-inspired outfit, Karan Johar marked his debut in a hand-painted ensemble by more than 80 artists.

Isha Ambani kept cameras clicking in a couture saree from Gaurav Gupta featuring real gold threads and heirloom stones from Nita Ambani’s private collection.

Met Gala 2026: Sabrina Carpenter reimagines film strips

Sabrina Carpenter arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a striking custom Dior creation designed by Jonathan Anderson, featuring a conceptual look built around motifs resembling photographic film strips. The ensemble played into the evening’s “Fashion Is Art” theme, transforming archival cinema references into a contemporary couture statement.

Met Gala 2026: Kylie Jenner sculpts the red carpet in Schiaparelli

Kylie Jenner made a dramatic entrance at the 2026 Met Gala in a custom Schiaparelli gown that appeared to move like fluid sculpture with every step. The form-fitting design, crafted with the house’s signature surrealist detailing, created a sense of motion and structure at once, echoing the evening’s “Fashion Is Art” theme. The look featured precision tailoring and architectural draping that accentuated Jenner’s silhouette while maintaining an avant-garde edge.

Met Gala 2026: Law Roach sparks engagement speculation with statement ring

Law Roach made a polished appearance at the 2026 Met Gala, drawing attention not only for his refined red carpet styling but also for a striking oversized ring that immediately set social media alight with speculation. The celebrity stylist, known for his work with some of Hollywood’s most prominent figures, opted for a sharp, fashion-forward look that aligned with the evening’s “Fashion Is Art” theme.

Met Gala 2026: Lisa embodies angelic elegance in sheer white look

Lisa embraced the 2026 Met Gala’s “Fashion Is Art” theme, arriving in a delicate white sheer gown paired with an intricately detailed veil. The BLACKPINK star channelled an ethereal, almost celestial aesthetic, with the flowing silhouette and soft embellishments reflecting the Costume Art exhibition being celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Met Gala 2026: Ejae shines in Swarovski-studded debut

Ejae made her first appearance at the 2026 Met Gala in a dazzling silver look encrusted with Swarovski crystals, delivering a high-impact debut on fashion’s most-watched red carpet. The shimmering ensemble centred on full crystal embellishment, catching the light with every step and aligning with the evening’s emphasis on fashion as art. Speaking to Vogue, Ejae said the look was designed to reflect a blend of her Western influences and Korean heritage, merging both cultural identities.

Met Gala 2026: Gigi Hadid stuns in sheer Miu Miu revival

Gigi Hadid made a striking entrance at the 2026 Met Gala in a custom Miu Miu ensemble that put a modern spin on archival fashion, drawing inspiration from the label’s spring 2011 collection. The supermodel embraced a daring sheer silhouette that highlighted the evening’s focus on fashion as an art form. The look featured delicate layering and intricate detailing, reinterpreting early 2010s design codes through a contemporary lens.

Met Gala 2026: Manish Malhotra brings Bollywood couture to New York

Indian couturier Manish Malhotra made a striking appearance at the 2026 Met Gala in a custom creation of his own design, once again showcasing the craftsmanship that first earned him acclaim as Bollywood’s go-to costume designer.

Met Gala 2026: Rosé blends couture history with artistic flair

Rosé delivered a carefully curated fashion moment at the 2026 Met Gala, arriving in a custom Saint Laurent gown steeped in both couture heritage and fine-art references. The BLACKPINK star’s dramatic silhouette drew inspiration from archival designs seen in the house’s Spring 1998 and Spring 2002 couture collections, reimagined through a modern lens by creative director Anthony Vaccarello for this year’s event.

Met Gala 2026: Katy Perry channels her inner Daft Punk-ness

Katy Perry delivered one of the night’s boldest fashion statements at the 2026 Met Gala, arriving in a striking futuristic ensemble that instantly drew comparisons to Daft Punk’s iconic robotic aesthetic. The pop star embraced high-concept dressing in a sculptural white custom creation complete with a sleek metallic headpiece that partially concealed her face, giving the look a distinctly space-age edge.

Met Gala 2026: Jisoo dazzles in custom Dior florals

K-pop star Jisoo made a luminous arrival at the 2026 Met Gala, stepping out in a bespoke Dior creation that quickly became one of the evening’s most talked-about fashion moments. The BLACKPINK singer embraced high-glamour elegance in a shimmering floral design awash in soft pink and violet hues, with intricate embellishment catching the light as she made her way up the Metropolitan Museum steps. Her sparkling custom look offered a romantic, art-inspired interpretation of this year’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code, blending Dior’s signature couture craftsmanship with Jisoo’s polished, feminine style.

Met Gala 2026: Hugh and Sutton step out in style

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster made a polished appearance together on the Met Gala red carpet, adding another high-profile chapter to their increasingly public romance. The pair, who first made their official couple debut at the Song Sung Blue premiere in late 2025, arrived at fashion’s biggest night looking effortlessly coordinated as they posed for photographers outside New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Met Gala 2026: Sarah Pidgeon makes a striking Loewe entrance

Fresh off the arrivals of Loewe’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Sarah Pidgeon stepped on to the Met Gala carpet in a custom chartreuse gown from the fashion house, delivering one of the evening’s most eye-catching looks. The rising American Love Story star embraced the bold spirit of this year’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code with a sculptural silhouette that fused Loewe’s signature experimental craftsmanship with old-Hollywood glamour.

Met Gala 2026: Saint Laurent takes centre stage with Zoe Kravitz

Saint Laurent made an unmistakable statement as designer Anthony Vaccarello and actor Zoë Kravitz, co-chairs of the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee, arrived in coordinated looks from the French fashion house. Their appearance underscored Saint Laurent’s major presence at this year’s event, with the label also serving as a key sponsor of the gala and its accompanying “Costume Art” exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Met Gala 2026: Connor Storrie turns heads ahead of Met Gala debut

Breakout star of 2026 Connor Storrie was already commanding attention before officially stepping onto the Met Gala carpet. The actor was spotted departing New York’s Carlyle Hotel in a sharply tailored custom Saint Laurent ensemble, anchored by a dramatic silk polka-dot scarf that swept behind him as he made his way to fashion’s biggest night. The striking look, also consisting of high-waisted black trousers, was completed with polished Roman-style boots and Tiffany & Co. jewellery.

Met Gala 2026: Bill Skarsgård embraces archival fashion on the red carpet

Bill Skarsgård made a distinctive appearance at Met Gala 2026, arriving in a thoughtfully crafted custom look by Thom Browne that directly reflected this year’s exhibition theme, “Costume Art.”

The actor stepped on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art carpet wearing a sharply tailored patchwork tuxedo created from a blend of wool and silk. The design drew particular attention for its intricate construction, with the garment reportedly assembled using archived fabrics collected over the past 25 years from the fashion house’s past collections.

The ensemble was designed as a tribute to one of the exhibition’s conceptual sections, “The Ageing Body,” which explores how clothing can reflect time, memory and transformation through texture and form.

Met Gala 2026: Nicole Kidman arrives with daughter Sunday Rose

Nicole Kidman made a graceful return to the Met Gala red carpet, this time sharing the spotlight with her daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, who made her highly anticipated debut at fashion’s biggest night.

The Oscar-winning actor arrived in a sweeping custom couture gown by Balenciaga, opting for a sculptural silhouette with delicate embellishment that perfectly captured the evening’s “Costume Art” theme.

Alongside her, Sunday Rose stepped into the global fashion spotlight in a bespoke Dior design created by creative director Jonathan Anderson.

Met Gala 2026: Lauren Sánchez makes her entrance

Lauren Sánchez has officially arrived at the Met Gala 2026, making one of the evening’s most closely watched entrances as an honorary chair and lead sponsor of this year’s event.

Stepping on to the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art carpet, Sánchez embraced the night’s “Costume Art” theme in a dramatic custom creation by Schiaparelli, styled by celebrated image architect Law Roach. Her structured black gown featured a sharply corseted silhouette with striking pearl embellishments, drawing inspiration from John Singer Sargent’s famed portrait Madame X, one of the Metropolitan Museum’s most recognised works.

Met Gala 2026: Cara Delevingne makes striking arrival

Cara Delevingne once again proved why she remains one of the most anticipated names on the Met Gala red carpet, making a bold statement with a dramatic and unconventional fashion choice.

A seasoned fixture at fashion’s biggest night, Delevingne arrived in an elegant black halterneck gown by Ralph Lauren. The sleek silhouette featured delicate illusion mesh cap sleeves, giving the classic design a refined and sophisticated edge that perfectly complemented her signature red-carpet confidence.

Met Gala 2026: Carpet design unveiled

The red carpet for Met Gala 2026 has officially been revealed, and this year’s design takes inspiration from the expressive brushwork and rich textures associated with Vincent van Gogh’s iconic artistic style, setting the stage for one of fashion’s most visually striking nights.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Costume Art,” the carpet features a soft ivory base accented with swirling green and blue detailing, echoing the movement and colour palette often linked to Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Floral installations suspended above the entrance add to the painterly effect, transforming the iconic steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art into what appears to be a living canvas.

Early visuals suggest the design aims to blur the line between fine art and fashion, perfectly aligning with the event’s dress code, “Fashion Is Art.”

Met Gala 2026: Livestream host Emma Chamberlain arrives

Livestream host Emma Chamberlain has made her arrival on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet. For the evening, she stepped out in a vibrant Mugler ensemble. Known for switching up her looks during the event, Chamberlain is once again expected to make one or two outfit changes as she moves from the red carpet to her hosting duties.

Met Gala 2026: BLACKPINK members set to attend

All four members of BLACKPINK are expected to attend the Met Gala 2026 together, marking a rare public reunion for Jennie, Lisa, Rosé and Jisoo at one of fashion’s biggest global events. Their joint appearance on the red carpet is already generating major anticipation and is likely to become one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.

Particular attention is on Lisa, who will officially serve on the Met Gala 2026 Host Committee.

Her appointment highlights the growing influence of female artists within the global fashion industry and represents another major milestone for K-pop’s expanding presence on one of the world’s most prestigious cultural and fashion platforms.

Met Gala 2026: Is Deepika Padukone giving this year’s event a miss?

Actor Deepika Padukone is set to skip this year’s Met Gala, with sources indicating that her absence is due to ongoing filming commitments. The actor has previously made appearances at fashion’s biggest night in 2017, 2018 and 2019, turning heads with her red carpet looks.

According to a source familiar with the development, Padukone is currently focused on her packed film schedule, with two major projects underway. “Her priority has always been and continues to be films. With King slated to release at the end of this year and Raaka scheduled to release next year, her priority at the moment is to complete the shoot for these two films,” the source said.

Met Gala 2026: Will Meryl Streep attend the event?

Despite speculation around a possible first-ever appearance, Meryl Streep will not be attending the Met Gala 2026.

The Oscar-winning actor, who has never attended the annual fundraising event at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, will once again skip fashion’s biggest night. Her representative confirmed the news in a statement to People on 4 May.

“Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna Wintour and her incredible imagination and stamina—it has never quite been her scene.”

The statement puts an end to rumours that the Mamma Mia! star might finally make her Met Gala debut this year.

That's all.

Met Gala 2026: Lauren Sanchez Bezos kicks off fashion's biggest night with a speech

Hours before the Met Gala 2026 officially gets underway on 4 May, Lauren Sánchez Bezos helped kick off fashion’s biggest night with a tribute to Anna Wintour and a strong message on fashion’s future.

Sánchez Bezos, who is serving as an honorary co-chair for this year’s event, spoke at the Costume Institute exhibition press preview and praised Wintour’s role in shaping the global fashion landscape.

“As we all know, no one has done more to elevate fashion as an art form,” she said. “or to create in this industry the respect it deserves. Thank you, Anna.”

Speaking about the importance of the Met Gala and the Costume Institute’s role in preserving fashion history, Sánchez Bezos highlighted the growing recognition of design as a serious artistic discipline.

“The Met has always understood something the rest of the world is finally catching up to: Fashion is art. The designers we celebrate tonight are true artists. The Costume Institute is the custodian of their work—the way the Met is the custodian of any great painting or sculpture. That’s what this museum definitely understands."

She also used the platform to draw attention to sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry, noting the work being supported by the Bezos Earth Fund.

“The future of that art deserves investment. That’s why the Bezos Earth Fund is backing scientists reimagining what fabric can be. Sustainable silk grown in labs—it is happening. Cotton rebuilt from the ground up.”

Ending her remarks with a call for forward-looking change in fashion, she added: “The designers in this exhibit and the ones coming up after deserve an industry as forward thinking as they are.”

Met Gala 2026: Who will be missing from fashion’s biggest night?

A few familiar faces are expected to skip this year’s Met Gala, marking a noticeable break from past editions of fashion’s biggest annual event.

In a departure from tradition, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed in an interview with Hell Gate that he and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will not be attending the 2026 gala.

Actor and singer Billy Porter, known for delivering some of the Met Gala’s most memorable red carpet moments, is also set to miss the event. Porter, who last attended in 2019, explained his absence by saying, "I don’t go to places where I’m not welcome."

Meanwhile, Zendaya, one of the red carpet’s most anticipated regulars, is reportedly sitting out this year’s event as she takes a break from public appearances. Her absence is likely to disappoint fashion fans, given her standout appearances and headline-making looks at previous editions of the gala.

Met Gala 2026: Did you know fashion’s biggest night has a strong Indian connection?

The Met Gala 2026 carries a significant Indian link, with the iconic red carpet once again being crafted by Neytt, a homegrown brand from Kerala. This will mark the fourth time the label has created the carpet for what is widely regarded as fashion’s most prestigious annual event.

Neytt by Extraweave, a Kerala-based brand established in 2021 by Nimisha Srinivas and Sivan Santhosh, has steadily made its mark on the global fashion stage. The company previously designed and manufactured the Met Gala’s red carpet for the 2022, 2023 and 2025 editions.

Now, the label is set to return for the 2026 Met Gala, once again bringing Indian craftsmanship to the forefront of one of the world’s most closely watched fashion events.

Met Gala 2026: Can anyone attend the Met Gala?

While major fashion houses and brands often cover the cost of attending, securing a place at the Met Gala involves far more than simply purchasing a ticket.

Every guest must receive final approval from Anna Wintour, who has led the event since 1995 and serves as Condé Nast’s chief content officer, the publishing company behind Vogue. Widely seen as the architect of the gala’s global stature, Wintour personally approves each name on the guest list, ensuring attendees align with the event’s carefully curated reputation and exclusivity.

Met Gala 2026: How much do tickets cost?

The Met Gala remains one of the most exclusive events on the global fashion calendar, with attendance strictly limited to a select guest list of around 450 people each year.

Securing a place at the event comes at a significant cost. Tables are priced from roughly $350,000 (£258,000), while individual tickets are believed to cost approximately $75,000 (£56,000).

Despite the eye-watering price tag, most celebrities do not pay for their own entry.

Instead, major fashion houses and luxury brands typically purchase tables and invite high-profile stars as their guests. In return, celebrities often wear the label’s designs and represent the brand throughout the evening, generating substantial media attention and global publicity that helps justify the expense.

Met Gala 2026: More about the ‘Costume Art’ theme

The theme for the Met Gala 2026 is “Costume Art,” inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition of the same name. The showcase examines how clothing has shaped the representation of the human form throughout history, bringing together garments and artworks from across the museum’s extensive collection to highlight the deep connection between fashion, identity and the body.

Speaking to Vogue in November 2025, Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of the Costume Institute, explained, "It’s the common thread throughout the whole museum, which is really what the initial idea for the exhibition was, this epiphany: I know that we’ve often been seen as the stepchild, but, in fact, the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked. It’s always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.”

Bolton continued, “This focus on bodies in relation to art will manifest in numerous ways, with artworks accompanying a diverse range of body types. “The idea was to put the body back into discussions about art and fashion, and to embrace the body, not to take it away as a way of elevating fashion to an art form.”

Met Gala 2026: When and where to watch fashion's biggest night

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit, better known as the Met Gala, is scheduled to take place on Monday, 4 May 2026. The official livestream is expected to begin at 3:00 pm Pacific Time, 6:00 pm Eastern Time, 11:00 pm British Summer Time, and 3:30 am Indian Standard Time on Tuesday, 5 May.

As in previous years, the easiest and most widely accessible way to watch the event live will be through Vogue’s official YouTube channel, which is expected to stream the red carpet globally free of charge, giving fashion enthusiasts around the world front-row access to one of the industry’s biggest nights.