Beyoncé Returns to Met Gala as Co-Chair After Decade-Long Absence

Key facts

• Beyoncé last attended the Met Gala in 2016 for the 'Manus x Machina' theme.
• The 2026 Met Gala takes place on the first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
• Co-chairs are Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
• The dress code is 'Fashion is Art', linked to the exhibition 'Costume Art'.
• The exhibition opens to the public on 10 May 2026 and runs until 10 January 2027.
• Around 450 A-list guests are expected to attend the fundraiser.
• Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz co-chair the Host Committee.
• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos are also co-chairs and sponsors.

A Decade-Long Hiatus Ends

Beyoncé will return to the Met Gala for the first time in a decade, stepping onto the red carpet as a co-chair of fashion's most anticipated night. The singer last attended in 2016, when she wore a futuristic ensemble for the technology-themed 'Manus x Machina' exhibition. Her reappearance marks a significant moment for the event, which annually raises millions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Around 450 guests from music, film, television, and fashion are expected to ascend the museum's steps on Monday evening. The gala serves as both a fundraiser and the formal opening of the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, which this year is titled 'Costume Art'.

Fashion as Art: The Theme and Dress Code

The exhibition 'Costume Art' will display 400 outfits and objects spanning 5,000 years, pairing nearly 200 artworks with around 200 garments and accessories. Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge, described the concept as an epiphany: 'the dressed body is front and center in every gallery you come across. Even the nude is never naked. It’s always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.' The exhibition will explore three categories of bodies: those present in art (such as the nude), those often overlooked (elderly and pregnant bodies), and the 'universal' anatomical body. Guests are invited to interpret the dress code 'Fashion is Art', which Bolton said connects every curatorial department. 'What connects every curatorial department and what connects every single gallery in the museum is fashion, or the dressed body,' he told Vogue. The theme is deliberately broad, allowing for interpretations ranging from Baroque and Impressionist references to direct nods to specific paintings.

The Power Behind the Gala: Co-Chairs and Host Committee

Anna Wintour, the longtime chair of the Met Gala, has enlisted Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams as co-chairs for the evening. Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos also serve as co-chairs and sponsors, marking a notable corporate presence. The Host Committee, which helps launch the exhibition, is co-chaired by Yves Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello and actress Zoë Kravitz. Committee members include Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Teyana Taylor, Lisa from Blackpink, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Paloma Elsesser, Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A'ja Wilson, and Yseult. The roster blends fashion insiders with pop culture figures, reflecting the gala's evolution from a society dinner into a global media event.

A Legacy of Boundary-Pushing Fashion

Since its inception in 1948, the Met Gala has transformed into one of the world's most-watched cultural spectacles. Past headline-making moments include Rihanna's 2018 appearance for the 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' theme, where she wore a jewel-encrusted Maison Margiela mini dress, matching coat, and papal mitre. The outfit was praised for its commitment to the theme but also drew criticism for its religious references. In 2021, Kim Kardashian arrived for the 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion' theme in a black Balenciaga bodysuit that covered her entire body and face, forcing focus on her silhouette. Such moments underscore the gala's role as a platform for fashion as artistic expression, often sparking debate about the boundaries of taste and appropriateness.

What to Expect on the Red Carpet

With the 'Fashion is Art' dress code, stars are expected to reference artistic movements and specific works from art history. Vogue has highlighted runway looks that might appear, including those inspired by Baroque, Impressionist, and Renaissance styles. However, the theme's breadth leaves room for countless interpretations, ensuring a diverse array of looks. The gala formally opens the 'Costume Art' exhibition, which will run until 10 January 2027. The event serves as the Costume Institute's primary source of funding, with tickets reportedly costing tens of thousands of dollars. As guests arrive, all eyes will be on how they interpret the intersection of fashion and fine art, a theme that Bolton believes is central to the museum's identity.

The Stakes for the Costume Institute

The Met Gala is the Costume Institute's most important fundraiser, providing essential financial support for its exhibitions and operations. This year's exhibition, 'Costume Art', aims to elevate fashion's status within the museum by demonstrating that the dressed body is a unifying thread across all galleries. Bolton's curatorial vision challenges the perception of fashion as a 'stepchild' of the art world, arguing instead that it is central to how we understand culture and history. With Beyoncé's star power and a host committee spanning entertainment and fashion, the 2026 gala is poised to generate significant attention and revenue. The event's success will help sustain the institute's ambitious programming, which continues to draw millions of visitors annually.

The bottom line

• Beyoncé returns as a co-chair after a decade, joining Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams.
• The exhibition 'Costume Art' features 400 items spanning 5,000 years, pairing artworks with garments.
• The dress code 'Fashion is Art' invites guests to explore the dressed body as an art form.
• Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz lead a host committee of 20 celebrities and fashion figures.
• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos are co-chairs and sponsors, adding a corporate dimension.
• The gala remains the Costume Institute's primary funding source, with the exhibition running until January 2027.