The Met Gala: Outrageous Black Celebrity Moments on the Red Carpet
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Ahhh, the Met Gala. A time when faux fashion aficionados and true lovers of style can come together to indulge in themed looks from our favorite celebs all for a good cause.
The annual event usually brings out the biggest and brightest stars, but just like an end-credits scene of a Marvel movie—you never know who or what you’re going to see. So, in honor of the forthcoming event, which is set to take place on Monday night, we felt it fitting to take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from over the years.
And since we root for everybody and err’thang Black over here, let’s kick things off with Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala, which boasted the theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” When she showed up in pope-like attire, the whole thing might as well have been over because she absolutely killed this look!
Doja Cat, Met Gala 2023
At the 2023 Met Gala, which boasted the theme of “Celebrating Karl Lagerfield: A Line of Beauty,” Doja Cat stunned the crowd by showing up as none other than Lagerfield’s beloved pet cat Choupette. What was even more fun? She did most of her interviews meowing for the rest of the night.
Rihanna, Met Gala 2015
In perhaps what was one of her top three best Met Gala looks ever, Rihanna stunned at the 2015 Met Gala, which boasted the theme of “China: Through the Looking Glass” when she sported an iconic Guo Pei dress. (Author’s note: I won’t tell you how much this look lives rent-free in my head but just know it’s taken a residency.)
Beyoncé, Met Gala 2016
One of the most memorable things about the 2016 Met Gala? Beyoncé showing up ALONE after she had just dropped “Lemonade.” And we all probably know why.
Zendaya, Met Gala 2019
Bippidy-boppity boo! Zendaya and Law Roach reminded us all who the real princess of the Met Gala is. The look was inspired by the 2019 theme “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
Billy Porter, Met Gala 2019
As you can see, the 2019 Met Gala boasted a handful of iconic moments. Chief among them being Billy Porter being quite literally carried onto the carpet by eight half naked men dripped from head to toe in gold as the Egyptian sun styled by RRR Creatives’ Sam Ratelle.
Frank Ocean, Met Gala 2021
In a move that perhaps had some people struggling to find their lexicon, at the 2021 Met Gala—which boasted the theme of “Celebrating in America: A Lexicon of Fashion”—Frank Ocean showed up with an unusual plus one: a green robotic baby named Cody who sported custom Homer (Ocean’s own line of luxury clothing.)
Lil Nas X, Met Gala 2021
Keeping it at the 2021 Met Gala, who could forget when Lil Nas X decided to bless the carpet with not one, not two but three gold looks. The best among them being the gold body armor suit.
Rihanna, Met Gala 2017
In what was perhaps this author’s favorite look, the 2017 Met Gala saw Rihanna look like a beautiful pink flower dressed in Commes des Garçons for the theme “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of The In-Between.”
Cardi B, Met Gala 2019
Bringing the red to the red carpet, Cardi B sported custom Thom Browne in this show-stopping ensemble for the 2019 Met Gala for theme “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
Iman, Met Gala 2021
There’s a reason why Iman is the standard when it comes to this modeling and fashion game and her look at the 2021 Met Gala just proves it all the more.
Lil Nas X, Met Gala 2023
Move ove Doja, there’s a new cat in town! A bedazzled Lil Nas X also showed up as Choupette the Cat at the 2023 Met Gala and we don’t know who nailed it more.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Met Gala 2021
While this is this author’s least favorite look for the usually fashionable couple, the 2021 Met Gala is particularly notable due to how late A$AP Rocky and Rihanna were this year. They were quite literally the last stars to walk, which, given the size of Rih’s Balenciaga overcoat and Rocky’s quilt—we could understand why.
Jaden Smith, Met Gala 2017
At the 2017 Met Gala, Jaden Smith surprised everyone when he appeared to walk the carpet with his own locs in tow. He’d previously cut his hair for a film he was participating in but when asked why he decided to bring his hair along for the iconic show, he simply told Vogue: “Since I couldn’t bring my sister as a date, I brought my old hair.”
Zendaya, Met Gala 2018
Though Chadwick Boseman and Rihanna took the crowns for best dressed at the 2018 Met Gala, Zendaya came in third looking the most fashionably sharp woman knight to have ever existed. We stan!
Bey, Jay-Z, Solange and the Elevator Fight Seen Around the World
Now you already know we had to end this on a banger. The 2014 Met Gala was perhaps one of the most iconic ones because this was two years before Beyonce dropped “Lemonade”—an album that alluded to her being cheated on by Jay-Z. This was also the same event that Jay and Bey’s sister Solange appeared to have gotten into an altercation in an elevator at a Met Gala afterparty. The now infamous moment prompted the group to put out a joint statement in the aftermath, telling AP at the time:
“As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family.”
