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The Met Gala steps have always been euphoric.
After all, with stars making their way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the biggest night in fashion—with the stars honoring the “Costume Art” theme at the May 4 event— it’s the perfect backdrop to show out in the best looks.
Take, for instance, Zendaya‘s Joan of Arc-inspired outfit for the 2018 Met Gala. Donning a silver ensemble featuring a knight-like neck plate and shoulder guards and a chainmail skirt. She completed her interpretation of the “Sunday Best” dress code with silver platform heels and Joan’s micro bob with bangs.
Although the Euphoria star slayed the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme, it wasn’t an easy task making it up those steps.
“Typically, I can handle a night out, with my heels and everything,” she told Vogue in 2024. “I’ve worn heels for a long time. But I don’t know, something about a mixture of wearing these platforms and the heaviness of my dress, I was struggling.”
Cardi B knows exactly how difficult, yet incredibly rewarding, it can be to turn heads at the Met Gala. For the 2019 soirée—which had a “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme—the “Bodak Yellow” rapper stepped out in a massive, jaw-dropping burgundy gown.
With the help of stylist Kollin Carter, Cardi has continued drippin’ in finesse since her 2018 debut.
“We always try to make sure that everything goes right, that everything be iconic,” the rapper told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2024. “We want everything to be iconic. I know people sometimes be like, ‘Oh, it’s not about who is there and who is not,’ but it’s like, no, you need to remember us forever.”
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
But sometimes, the most unforgettable looks aren’t because of the clothes themselves. Case in point? Rihanna showed off her baby bump alongside partner A$AP Rocky—with whom she shares kids—while posing in her Marc Jacobs pinstripe skirt-suit at the 2025 Met Gala.
With the “L$D” rapper being co-chair of the event, it was the perfect place for the couple to put her bump on display.
“It feels amazing, you know?” the dad of three said to The Associated Press at the gala. “We were tired of holding that, and it was time to show the people what we was cooking up. I’m glad everybody’s happy for us, because we’re definitely happy.”
As celebs wait to make their appearance at the 2026 Met Gala May 4, keep reading for the most jaw-dropping looks over the years.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic
Theo Wargo/WireImage
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
Richard Corkery/NY Daily News via Getty Images
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
John Shearer/Getty Images
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage.com
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
John Shearer/Getty Images
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
James Devaney/WireImage.com
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
James Devaney/WireImage
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