The biggest date in the fashion calendar is always full of drama and Monday night’s Met Gala was no exception.
The stars showed off their sartorial flair at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, with Beyonce, Rihanna and Zoe Kravitz leading the best-dressed celebrities.
And from Gwendoline Christie’s apparent “swipe” to Timothee Chalamet’s claims that “no-one cares about opera” to a certain A-lister’s “creepy” costume and even a security breach, the 2026 gala was brimming with surprises.
Gwendoline Christie’s ‘swipe’
The Game of Thrones actor paid tribute to the opera with an outfit that seemingly took aim at Chalamet’s now infamous comments dismissing the art form.
Christie, 47, made a major statement on the red carpet with her Giles Deacon-designed scarlet off-the-shoulder gown.
She carried an intricately crafted opera-inspired mask in both hands that bore a likeness to her own visage.
Months earlier, Chalamet had told Matthew McConaughey in a Variety interview that he doesn't want to work in an art that you “have to keep alive”.
The Wonka actor said: “I admire people, and I've done it myself, doing a talk show about how we've got to keep movie theatres alive, you know, we've got to keep this genre alive.
“And another part of me feels like, if people want to see it, like Barbie, like Oppenheimer, they're going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it.
“And I don't want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive', even though no one cares about this any more.”
He added hastily: “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there - I just lost 14 cents in viewership, I just took shots for no reason.”
His comments drew outrage, with a slew of celebrities and notable names in ballet and opera condemning him.
Heidi Klum’s unrecognisable look
The German model is known for her extravagant Halloween costumes, and she brought some of that energy to the Met Gala this year.
She transformed herself into a living sculpture, with latex and spandex all over her body giving the illusion of carved stone.
Klum’s look was inspired by Raffaelle Monti’s 1847 sculpture, the Veiled Vestal, which is currently at the Derbyshire stately home, Chatsworth House, according to WWD.
She left fans divided with the ensemble, with one writing on X, “She looks a bit scary but this is gorgeous idc,” and another adding, “This isn’t Halloween honey,” while a third posted: “This looks more creepy than creative.”
Others praised the look, however, penning: “Finally someone who understood the assignment Heidi didn’t just wear the theme she became the art. Living marble statue is insane commitment.”
“She’s the one who got the theme right,” said another and a third commented: “This is definitely the coolest outfit at Met Gala.
Security breach
An unnamed person, thought to be a protestor, was tackled by security outside the Met Gala.
A man wearing white glasses was seen being brought to the ground by officers near the entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in footage shared by The Cut.
The Met Gala is known for attracting demonstrations outside every year.
Ahead of this year’s event, activist groups have staged a series of protests across New York slamming the gala’s high profile sponsors and billionaire backers like Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos amid a wave of anti-wealth sentiment.
The Bezos were widely criticised after being named as financial sponsors in February, with critics calling for celebrities to boycott the Met Gala.
Dissent gained momentum in April when newly-elected mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would not attend and urged people to focus on affordability over high-profile fundraising events.
The event was branded the “Amazon Prime Gala” and “Bezos Ball”, with activist group Everyone Hates Elon leading calls for a boycott.
Some celebrity guests have reportedly been feeling the pressure not to attend, with speculation that some high-profile names chose not to go this year.
Hugh Jackman’s new romance
Hugh Jackman faced some criticism for attending the Met Gala with his new partner Sutton Foster - having previously attended the event numerous times with his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
Fans shared their disapproval on social media, with one writing, “Poor Deborra,” and another adding: “I lost big respect for him.”
The actor finalised his divorce from Furness last June after 27 years of marriage.
He began dating Foster in late 2024, following their roles in Broadway’s 2021 revival of The Music Man.
Jackman, 57, and Furness, 70, previously attended multiple Met Galas together, with their last joint appearance being in 2023.
The Wolverine actor turned up solo to the 2024 gala and skipped the event altogether last year amid their high-profile separation.
