Met Gala 2026: Beyoncé, Rihanna, Cher, Tyla and music’s biggest stars take over the gala

Last night, you could’ve easily mistaken the steps of the Met Gala 2026 for the Grammy Awards. The fashion was extraordinary, yes—but the real headline was the sheer dominance of music royalty. From global pop icons to genre-shaping rappers and R&B powerhouses, the 2026 carpet turned into a stage where sound met spectacle.

At the centre of it all stood Beyoncé, alongside her family—Jay-Z and their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter—cementing the night as both a cultural and generational moment. Beyoncé delivered a dual-fashion narrative: for the carpet, she arrived in a silver skeleton gown by French designer

fashion

Everything you need to know about the Met Gala livestream

Beyonce at the met gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Olivier Rousteing, a couture piece that balanced architectural drama with her signature regality.

Later, inside the gala, she transformed into a vision in a sculptural custom Robert Wun Spring/Summer 2026 gown, worn during her address—an ethereal, almost celestial look that commanded the room with quiet power.

Beyonce wearing Robern Wun. Image:X/@21Metgala

If Beyoncé set the tone, Rihanna reminded everyone why she remains Met royalty. Wearing a breathtaking Maison Margiela Fall 2025 Couture creation, her oyster-inspired ensemble shimmered with texture and symbolism—an ode to transformation and mystique.

Rihanna at the Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

And yes, while the long-awaited album still lingers in anticipation, moments like this are a reminder: Rihanna operates on her own timeline. By her side, A$AP Rocky matched her energy with effortless flair.

A$AP Rocky at the Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

From Johannesburg to the Met steps, Tyla delivered one of the night’s most striking visuals. Dressed in a peacock-inspired Valentino ensemble, she leaned into iridescence and movement—an embodiment of new-age African pop stardom stepping confidently onto the global stage.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GLAMOUR Magazine SA (@glamour_sa)

The veterans came through in full force. Cher and Madonna—two icons who have long blurred the lines between music and fashion—proved that legacy doesn’t mean playing it safe. Their appearances felt less like nostalgia and more like a continuation of influence.

Cher at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Madonna at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Meanwhile, a new generation carried the energy forward. Doechii leaned into avant-garde Marc Jacobs expression, while Doja Cat, in Saint Laurent, delivered a look that was equal parts sharp, sensual, and unmistakably her.

Doechii at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Doja Cat at The Met Gala.Image:X/@21Metgala

Sabrina Carpenter not only walked the carpet but lit up the inside of the gala with a performance that blurred the line between intimate concert and high-fashion theatre.

Sabrina Carpenter performing ‘Espresso’ at the Met Gala. pic.twitter.com/VvlkDC2jGl
— 21 (@21metgala) May 5, 2026

Charli XCX and Sabrina at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Elsewhere, Ciara brought Egyptian royalty, while Cardi B leaned into maximalism—her look, with exaggerated detail reminded us who she was. Katy Perry took a more theatrical route, arriving in disguise before revealing herself in a moment that instantly became one of the evening’s most viral reveals.

Cardi B at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Katy Perry at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

Then came the style disruptors: Teyana Taylor dazzled in a high-impact, detail-heavy Tom Ford ensemble that married performance and couture, while Charli XCX leaned into her signature experimental cool.

Teyana Taylor at The Met Gala. Image:X/@21Metgala

SZA delivered a custom Bode a design inspired by Wiener Werkstatte,Anderson .Paak fused retro influences with modern tailoring, and Janelle Monáe—never one to miss—once again proved that storytelling through fashion is an art form.

What made this year’s Met Gala particularly electric wasn’t just who attended—it was how deeply music shaped the narrative of the night. These weren’t just guests; they were cultural architects, using fashion as an extension of their sound, identity, and influence.