A Look Back at 2022 With Getty Images

As world events unfolded, Getty Images unveiled its visual reflection of the year with us at Hypebeast. From awards ceremonies to fashion weeks to film festivals, the Getty Images team of award-winning photographers, videographers, and editors have produced moving stories covering the return of live entertainment at every major entertainment event.

Getty Images’ VP of Global Entertainment, Kirstin Benson shares his insight on some of this year’s biggest moments in entertainment: “Creativity without boundaries was the theme within the entertainment industry throughout 2022. Celebrities dazzled us with blockbuster films, captivating television, red carpet fashion, and more—inspiring people to explore their own expression without fear. Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Tom Cruise embraced connection and fun—spending time with fans, hugging people, and soaking up every moment.”

While highlighting some of the key events from the year, Benson elaborated, “We also paid homage to years past with show-stopping performances like Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent’s iconic Super Bowl performance, Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, and even Kim Kardashian’s controversial Met Gala fashion moment when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s original “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress from 1962. After two years of the pandemic, the world of entertainment came roaring back.”

Revisit the year in entertainment through the eyes of Getty Images below.

Elton John resumes the Farewell Brick Road Tour

In January, the Yellow Brick Tour finally resumes with its first stop in New Orleans — a triumphant comeback for the Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-winner’s return to his tour. Sir Elton John’s supposed final world tour was intended to only be three years long. A series of pandemic-related delays have set back his original 2020 European leg to 2021. This was further delayed to Fall 2021, after the living legend sustained a hip injury and stretched his tour schedule to 2023.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's couple looks

In February, Rihanna celebrated the first Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin event of the year, where she and her partner, A$AP Rocky wowed the crowd with their stellar entrance. The heavily pregnant beauty mogul arrived in a dazzling green and ombré purple sequin look from The Attico, while A$AP Rocky subtly color-matched her in a streetwear ensemble, comprising of a varsity jacket, distressed jeans, and neon green sneakers.

Mary J. Blige’s dazzling Super Bowl performance

During the halftime show at Super Bowl, Mary J. Blige delivered a star-studded performance with fellow hip-hop icons 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem. The singer shined in a sequined leopard print two-piece set, with matching thigh-high boots and fingerless gloves as she performed hits like “Family Affair” and “No More Drama.”

Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters at the Studio 666 premiere after-party

A little over a month after the Foo Fighters celebrated the premiere of their first movie, Studio 666, their drummer Taylor Hawkins sadly passed away. Right after the premiere, the iconic rock band played a 75-minute set at an after-party in the Fonda Theatre, the set list spanned classics like “Best of You,” and “All My Life” as well as performing covers of recognizable hits such as Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”

Doja Cat wins the 2022 Billboard Women in Music Powerhouse Award

After an intimate "Alone" performance at the 2022 Billboard Women in Music Awards show, Doja Cat was honored with the Powerhouse Award for her achievements in the music industry. 2022 also marked Doja Cat’s 11th time as a Grammy nominee, along with the record-breaking success of the rapper's third studio album, Planet Her, which spent over six months on the Billboard 200 Top 10 charts.

When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars

The world was shocked when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards. The incident was triggered when Rock made an inflammatory joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith while presenting the Best Documentary Feature award. On the following day, Will Smith posted a formal apology highlighting his violent act as “unacceptable and inexcusable.” The actor also announced his resignation from the Oscars later in April.

J Balvin’s electrifying performance for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards

Although J Balvin did not bag any awards home at this year's Grammys, his Jose album was nominated for the first “Best Música Urbana Album” award. On top of that, the prince of Reggaeton delivered riveting live performances, from an intimate "Qué Más Pues?" duet with María Becerra to a tightly choreographed "In da Getto" solo.

Kim Kardashian's Met Gala look starring Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” Dress

For this year’s Met Gala Theme, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, Kim Kardashian wore one of Marilyn Monroe’s most memorable looks in history – the very same Jean Louis dress that the bombshell wore while singing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Embroidered with thousands of crystals, the sheer yet glitteringly delicate dress was borrowed from Ripley’s. The beauty and fashion mogul wore the original dress briefly for the red carpet, and later changed into a replica for the rest of the Gala.

Tom Cruise’s soaring return for Top Gun: Maverick UK premiere

The long-overdue sequel of 1986’s Top Gun finally premiered in the spring of this year. Captured on May 19, Tom Cruise and his co-stars attended the Royal Film Performance and UK premiere of Top Gun: Maverick – the film was met with overwhelming success, garnering a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, while also being the highest-grossing film of the year, as well as in Tom Cruise’s entire career.

Takeoff and Quavo at the 2nd Annual The Black Ball

The music world has been mourning the tragic loss and untimely death of Takeoff since November. Looking back on a less solemn moment snapped at the 2nd Annual The Black Ball this year, the late-rapper and his uncle/fellow Migos-rapper, Quavo attended Quality Control's CEO Pierre "Pee" Thomas’ Birthday with a Black-tie dress code. Many artists and rappers who collaborated with Takeoff were also present.

The royal family celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

In June, Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in a four-day weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of her succession. Despite her sudden passing mere months after, the Queen has undoubtedly reached a milestone as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. This image featuring the Queen and the royal family on Buckingham Palace's balcony enjoying the Trooping the Colour was definitely one of the Royal family’s more special moments in 2022.

Timotheé Chalamet’s daring red carpet look at the 79th Venice International Film Festival

Stealing the show at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, Timotheé Chalamet rocked the red carpet for the premiere of Bones and All in a daringly backless ensemble. As Chalamet also received award nominations for his performance in Dune, 2022 has proven to be an eventful year for the young Hollywood actor.

Squid Game’s historic wins at the Emmy Awards

Squid Game, Netflix’s Korean critically acclaimed survival drama, not only received 14 Emmy nominations, it was also the first-ever non-English series to be nominated for the Outstanding Drama Awards. Despite losing the Outstanding Drama Awards to HBO’s Succession, Squid Game swept home six Emmy awards, which included the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, and Outstanding Production in a Narrative Contemporary Program. Meanwhile, lead actor, Lee Jung-jae and guest actress Lee Yoo-mi also won respective Emmy awards for their performances.

Taylor Swift shines at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival

2022 has been a triumphant year for Taylor Swift – from receiving an Honorary Doctorate at NYU, breaking several major records with her Midnights album, to winning multiple awards at the VMA, AMAs, and EMAs. Crowned as the Top Female Artist of the Year, the multi-hyphenate artist celebrated the screening of All Too Well: The Short Film, which she wrote and directed, in a gold sequin dress at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Moncler’s 70th anniversary all-white spectacle for Milan Fashion Week

Kicking off Moncler’s 70th anniversary, the brand presented a one-of-a-kind performance at the Piazza del Duomo during the Spring/Summer 2023 Milan Fashion Week. In place of a traditional runway show, 1,952 artists and performers were dressed in identical, all-white attires featuring the iconic Maya jacket. In a Hypebeast interview with Remi Ruffini, Moncler’s CEO cited the show's cultural significance as “it’s not a fashion event – it’s a city event.” Read the full interview here.