The 12 Wildest Met Gala Moments That Still Live Rent Free in Our Heads (+1 Bonus)

Met Gala—the night where fashion meets fantasy, and celebrities pull out all the stops to deliver jaw-dropping moments. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit 12 of the most epic Met Gala moments that left us all speechless.

1. Rihanna (2015)

Remember when Rihanna showed up to the 2015 Met Gala wrapped in a giant yellow Guo Pei cape with the longest train anyone’s ever seen? She looked like fashion royalty casually arriving to claim her throne. The theme was “China: Through the Looking Glass,” and Rihanna nailed it with a look that was equal parts regal, bold, and instantly iconic. The cape was so extra it needed its own zip code—and honestly, so did she.

2. Lady Gaga (2019)

Never one to shy away from theatrics, Lady Gaga arrived in a voluminous pink gown by Brandon Maxwell. But why stop there? She proceeded to unveil three more outfits underneath, each more dazzling than the last, turning the red carpet into her personal runway. She peeled off the pink gown to reveal a black strapless number, then a bright pink bodycon dress, and finally, a sequined black lingerie set complete with fishnets and platform boots. Four outfits. One red carpet. Zero chill. It wasn’t just a look; it was a journey—a maximalist striptease-meets-performance-art moment that nailed the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme with theatrical precision. Gaga didn’t walk the carpet—she directed it.

3. Kim Kardashian (2021 and 2022)

Kim Kardashian knows how to make a Met Gala moment, and honestly, we still can’t decide which look was more unforgettable: 2021 or 2022. In 2022, she wore the actual Marilyn Monroe dress from 1962—the one Marilyn sang “Happy Birthday” to JFK in—which sparked a media frenzy and some controversy over the extreme measures she reportedly took to fit into it. But in 2021, she went full mystery mode in a black Balenciaga look that covered her from head to toe, including her face, making her the most instantly recognizable unrecognizable person on the carpet. Glamour or ghost? Regardless of your preference, both Kims were at their best.

4. Katy Perry (2019)

Katy Perry fully embraced the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme by transforming into a dazzling, fully functional chandelier. Her custom Moschino ensemble, designed by Jeremy Scott, featured a silver bejeweled mini dress adorned with layers of light-up candles encircling her waist and head. The elaborate outfit incorporated thousands of Swarovski crystals and concealed battery packs to illuminate the faux flames, ensuring she literally lit up the red carpet. Perry’s commitment to the extravagant aesthetic was evident as she navigated the event with the assistance of her team, making her one of the evening’s most memorable highlights.