Top 10 Most Shocking Met Gala Moments
#10: Jared Leto Using His Head as an Accessory
The 2019 Met Gala “camp” theme threw many of the attendees for a loop. A few of the guests had no idea how to properly execute it– but Jared Leto wasn’t one of them. He arrived at the prestigious event wearing a gorgeous Gucci-made gown, embellished with a bejeweled chain– and an exact replica of his own head, also created by Gucci. The unique accessory immediately drew the attention of the cameras and the fans watching at home. Many were impressed, yet slightly creeped out by how eerily similar the head looked to his own. Considering how many celebrities played it safe with the theme, he stood out due to his sheer commitment to it. If there’s one thing that Leto isn’t, it’s predictable.
#9: Kim Kardashian Destroying Marilyn Monroe’s Dress
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Kim Kardashian is no stranger to controversy– even at the Met Gala. After all, who could forget her infamous head-to-toe 2021 look? For the 2022 Gala, she wanted to pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe by wearing one of her actual dresses. Historians warned that it would be too fragile to wear. While it looked fine at the Gala, pictures from social media reportedly revealed the truth: the garment had been torn, stretched, and some of the jewels decorating it were missing. Spectators were furious, claiming that Kim had disrespected the late actress. She later admitted that she had taken on an unhealthy lifestyle just to fit into the gown. The homage would have worked just as well if the dress replica she changed into after the red carpet was worn beforehand too.
#8: Sarah Jessica Parker’s Cultural Appropriation
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2015’s Met Gala was “China: Through the Looking Glass”, which meant that the attendees would be wearing garments inspired by China. While most of the looks were celebratory, a few bordered on appropriation. One that fell into the unfortunate latter category was Sarah Jessica Parker’s– specifically, a Philip Treacy headdress that had little to do with Chinese culture. It started conversations about what was okay to portray with this concept, and if the theme was offensive. To top it off, Twitter did what it does best and compared her to various characters, such as Rita Repulsa from “Power Rangers”. At a night where celebrities want to look as chic as possible, being compared to a villain from a kid’s show has got to sting.
#7: Attendees Smoking in the Bathroom
In 2017, some of the attendees were a little less focused on fashion, and a little too focused on smoking. Throughout the normally prestigious event, several photos were posted exposing various celebrities lighting up in the bathroom of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From models like Bella Hadid to actors like Dakota Johnson and Rami Malek, it seemed like everyone was leaving to smoke. However, the celebs involved immediately saw backlash for their actions. Doctors and city staff came forward to express their concern about second hand smoke and the lawbreaking, while some donors were furious that they were putting the art at risk. Some even called for the stars in question to be fined. It was a good reminder that being famous shouldn’t make people exempt from consequences.
#6: Celebs Slamming the Met Gala
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Considering how many stars look forward to and revere this night, it’s surprising to know that some have strong feelings against it. Some celebrities in particular have been very candid about how much they dislike it. Gwyneth Paltrow, for instance, was allegedly disappointed as her high expectations for the glamorous night fell flat - though that didn’t stop her from attending again. Others, like Tina Fey and Zayn Malik, implied that the attendees aren’t always the nicest, and that the event itself is excessive. We don’t blame them– there must be so much pressure around looking and sounding perfect. Hearing notable people be so honest about their experiences surrounding the famed night is refreshing, and also helps lessen the FOMO that some regular people experience when viewing the event.
#5: Tom Ford Criticizing Katy Perry
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Celebrities aren’t the only ones with negative feelings towards the Met Gala– some designers have issues with it as well. After the 2019 Gala, iconic designer Tom Ford had some feelings about how some of the celebrities presented the theme. He came for Katy Perry in particular, pointing out that her chandelier and cheeseburger outfits were more costume than couture. He also lamented the days when the event was chic, and guests didn’t feel the need to wear over-the-top ensembles to stand out. His opinions started larger discussions about both the theme and the Met Gala itself. Some agreed with Ford that celebrities had changed what the function was originally about, while others felt that he was just out of touch.
#4: Nicki Minaj Giving Major Side-Eye to Demi Lovato
Besides the fashion, the most exciting aspect of the Met Gala is the celebrity drama. In 2016, photos captured what look like Nicki Minaj shading Demi Lovato by side-eyeing her on the red carpet. At first, fans of both stars assumed it was a misunderstanding. However, Instagram posts and comments seemingly revealed hat things weren’t going well between the two musicians. Nicki hadn’t tagged Demi in her post with designer Jeremy Scott, and whether that was intentional or not is still debated. Demi initially laughed it off, but in 2018, she revealed her true feelings about a debacle that happened at the same ceremony. Apparently, there was a moment in 2016 that had been so stressful that it nearly caused her to relapse. Luckily, she didn’t– and we’re so glad the drama - whether or not it was Nicki-related - didn’t push her to that point.
#3: The Red Carpet Streaker
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In 2014, one man decided to take a… different approach to the Met Gala. While guests would normally come in expensive, high class garments, he decided to dress down in a pink mankini, and attempt to streak on the red carpet. It’s unclear what inspired him to attempt this, but most assume it was just to draw attention from the night. However, we’ll never know what the stars’ reactions to him were, since he was quickly apprehended by nearby officers before making it inside the event. While he may not have been successful, the streaker still went viral on Twitter, where users praised him for taking such a risk. We can’t help but wonder where he is now, and what exactly happened after his infamous attempt.
#2: Rita Ora Proving She Isn’t “Becky with the Good Hair”
In early 2016, one question had the whole Internet in a tizzy– who was Becky? The question arose after Beyoncé released her acclaimed album “Lemonade”, wherein she accused her husband, Jay-Z, of cheating on her with “Becky with the good hair”. This lyric sparked endless controversy and memes as people tried to decipher who the lyric was about. Many accused Rita Ora of being the culprit, and she was questioned endlessly. She ended up putting the rumors to bed when she took a selfie with Beyoncé captioned
#family, and then later arrived at a Met Gala after party wearing a nametag that simply said “Not Becky”. This was a bold, yet smart way to clap back at the neverending speculation.
#1: Solange Knowles & Jay-Z Fighting in an Elevator
Have you ever heard about something so shocking, you almost couldn’t believe it was true? That was how the Internet felt after a 2014 video of Solange Knowles and Jay-Z fighting went viral. Up to that point, the Carter-Knowles family had been known for their drama-free image, and this video showed that things weren’t exactly as they seemed. The fact that no one knows exactly what happened that night only adds to the intrigue. Luckily, there are no hard feelings– both parties have made it clear that everything is okay between them, and Jay even admitted fault on his 2017 record, 4:44. Despite this incident occurring after a Met Gala that took place nearly a decade ago, it is still one of the most talked about moments in the event’s history.
