Sam Smith to Walk Met Gala Red Carpet as Part of Host Committee

Key facts

• The 2026 Met Gala will take place on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• This year's theme is 'Fashion is Art,' inspired by the spring 2026 exhibition 'Costume Art.'
• Anna Wintour co-chairs the gala for the first time since stepping down as Vogue editor-in-chief.
• Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams join Wintour as co-chairs.
• Sam Smith is listed on the host committee alongside 29 other notable figures.
• Vogue will stream the red carpet on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok starting at 6 p.m.
• E! will air a red carpet special featuring co-hosts Ciara Miller, Bronwyn Newport, and others.

A Night of Fashion and Philanthropy

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Met Gala returns on May 4, 2026, drawing a constellation of celebrities to its invitation-only fundraiser. The event, first launched in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, serves as the primary funding source for the museum’s Costume Institute. This year’s theme, “Fashion is Art,” directly ties to the Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition “Costume Art.” Guests will dress to impress, adhering to a theme that blurs the line between haute couture and fine art. The gala, held annually on the first Monday in May, has become a cultural touchstone, blending philanthropy with high-profile spectacle.

Co-Chairs and Host Committee Revealed

Anna Wintour, who co-chaired nearly every Met Gala since 1995, returns as co-chair for the first time since stepping down as Vogue editor-in-chief last year. She is joined by music phenom Beyoncé, Academy-Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, and tennis superstar Venus Williams. The host committee, a group supporting the festivities, includes 30 prominent figures from fashion, entertainment, and sports. Among them are supermodel Alex Consani, actress Angela Bassett, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, ballet dancer Misty Copeland, singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor, and pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. Additional committee members include Aimee Mullins, A’ja Wilson, Amy Sherald, Anna Weyant, Anthony Vaccarello, Chase Sui Wonders, Chloe Malle, Doja Cat, Elizabeth Debicki, Gwendoline Christie, Lauren Sánchez, Lauren Wasser, Lena Dunham, LISA, Paloma Elsesser, Rebecca Hall, Sam Smith, Sinéad Burke, Tschabalala Self, Yseult, and Zoë Kravitz.

Red Carpet Coverage and Livestream Details

Vogue will stream the red carpet arrivals on all its digital platforms—YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—starting at 6 p.m. The magazine’s official livestream hosts are Cara Delevingne, Ashley Graham, and La La Anthony, while Emma Chamberlain returns as red carpet correspondent for her sixth consecutive year. E! will also air a red carpet special at the same time, featuring co-hosts Ciara Miller, Bronwyn Newport, Renee Montgomery, Christian Siriano, and Chris Appleton. The Met Gala is notoriously strict about photo and video inside the festivities, but the red carpet coverage offers a glimpse of the elaborate ensembles. The full guest list remains under wraps, but the host committee provides a sneak peek at who will walk the carpet.

The Gala’s Enduring Legacy

Considered by some to be “fashion’s biggest night,” the Met Gala has evolved from a modest fundraising dinner into a global media event. Eleanor Lambert’s original vision in 1948 aimed to raise money for the Costume Institute, and the gala remains the department’s main source of funding. Over the decades, it has become a platform for artistic expression, with themes that challenge designers and celebrities to push creative boundaries. This year’s theme, “Fashion is Art,” underscores the museum’s mission to elevate costume design to the status of fine art. The spring 2026 exhibition “Costume Art” will further explore this intersection, showcasing pieces that blur the line between garment and sculpture.

What to Expect on May 4

As the first Monday in May approaches, anticipation builds for the red carpet arrivals and the exclusive dinner inside the museum. The co-chairs and host committee signal a diverse mix of talent, from music and film to sports and business. Sam Smith’s inclusion on the committee adds a pop culture touch, reflecting the gala’s broad appeal. While the guest list remains secret, the host committee offers a reliable indicator of who will attend. The event’s strict no-photo policy inside ensures that the evening’s magic remains largely private, but the livestreams and specials provide ample opportunity for the public to partake in the spectacle.

A Cultural Phenomenon Continues

The Met Gala’s ability to command global attention year after year speaks to its unique position at the intersection of fashion, art, and celebrity. With Anna Wintour at the helm once again, the 2026 edition promises to uphold the tradition of surprise and splendor. The theme “Fashion is Art” invites reflection on the very nature of costume, challenging attendees to present themselves as living artworks. As the museum’s Costume Institute relies on this single night for its annual funding, the stakes are both cultural and financial. The gala not only raises millions but also shapes the conversation around fashion for the year to come.

The bottom line

• The 2026 Met Gala takes place on May 4 with the theme 'Fashion is Art.'
• Anna Wintour co-chairs for the first time since leaving Vogue, joined by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.
• Sam Smith is among 30 host committee members, indicating their likely attendance.
• Vogue and E! will provide red carpet coverage starting at 6 p.m. on May 4.
• The gala is the primary fundraiser for the Costume Institute, continuing a tradition since 1948.
• The full guest list remains secret, but the host committee offers a preview of attendees.