Beyoncé Returns to Met Gala After Decade-Long Absence, Co-Chairs 2026 Fundraiser

Key facts

• The 2026 Met Gala raised funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
• Beyoncé made her first Met Gala appearance in 10 years, wearing a gown by Olivier Rousteing.
• Blue Ivy, aged 14, attended as one of the youngest guests; the gala typically requires guests to be 18 or older.
• Co-chairs included Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as honorary chairs, drawing controversy.
• Broadway star Joshua Henry opened the carpet with a performance of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody.’
• Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, and Katy Perry were nearly unrecognizable due to their costume-themed looks.

A Night of Spectacle and Return

The 2026 Met Gala unfolded on Monday evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, drawing a constellation of celebrities to its annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute. This year’s theme, ‘Costume Art,’ challenged attendees to treat fashion as an embodied art form, resulting in a parade of lavish and whimsical ensembles. Beyoncé, making her first appearance on the Met steps in a decade, anchored the evening. The singer arrived with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, and their 14-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who became one of the youngest guests ever admitted to the gala, which normally enforces an 18-and-over age limit. Beyoncé’s gown, designed by French couturier Olivier Rousteing, featured an embellished skeleton motif and a giant feathered cape, a direct nod to the theme.

Co-Chairs and Controversial Honorary Hosts

The event was co-chaired by Beyoncé, actress Nicole Kidman, tennis star Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director. Their presence underscored the gala’s dual role as a fashion showcase and a high-profile fundraising engine for the Costume Institute. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as honorary chairs, a decision that drew criticism given Bezos’s vast wealth and the gala’s mission to support a public museum. The Bezos-backed sponsorship has become a flashpoint in debates over the intersection of philanthropy, corporate power, and cultural institutions.

The Red Carpet as Performance Art

Broadway star Joshua Henry kicked off the evening by performing ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ on the Met’s iconic steps, which were transformed to resemble mossy bricks in a lush garden. A band and dancers accompanied him, setting a theatrical tone. Other celebrities embraced the costume theme with varying degrees of transformation. Bad Bunny, Heidi Klum, and Katy Perry were nearly unrecognizable, while Naomi Osaka, Angela Bassett, Madonna, and Sabrina Carpenter posed for cameras in outfits that ranged from sculptural to surreal. Rihanna arrived fashionably late, accompanied by A$AP Rocky.

Beyoncé’s Family Moment and the Age Exception

Beyoncé’s return was marked by a rare family appearance. In a brief interview on the carpet, she said, ‘It feels great to be here with my daughter and husband.’ Blue Ivy, at 14, was one of the youngest attendees, an exception to the gala’s typical age restriction. The decision to allow her presence highlighted the event’s flexibility for high-profile families. The singer’s decade-long absence had made her return a subject of speculation. Her last appearance was in 2016, and her 2026 look—a skeleton-embellished gown with a feathered cape—was widely discussed on social media and in fashion circles.

Fundraising and the Costume Institute’s Mission

The Met Gala is the primary fundraiser for the Costume Institute, which relies on the event to support its exhibitions, acquisitions, and educational programs. While the exact amount raised in 2026 has not been disclosed, previous galas have generated tens of millions of dollars. The theme ‘Costume Art’ aligns with the institute’s broader mission to explore fashion as a serious artistic medium. The evening’s proceeds will help fund future exhibitions and the preservation of the museum’s extensive fashion collection.

Looking Ahead: The Gala’s Evolving Role

The 2026 Met Gala reaffirmed its position as the fashion world’s most anticipated event, even as it navigates controversies over funding and exclusivity. The inclusion of Bezos as honorary chair may fuel ongoing debates about the influence of billionaires on cultural institutions. For now, the images of Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, and Jay-Z on the carpet—alongside the daring costumes of Bad Bunny and Katy Perry—will dominate headlines. The gala’s ability to blend celebrity, art, and philanthropy ensures its continued relevance, even as questions about its governance linger.

The bottom line

• Beyoncé ended a 10-year Met Gala hiatus, appearing with Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy, who was granted an age exception.
• The 2026 theme ‘Costume Art’ prompted celebrities to wear elaborate, transformative outfits, with some guests becoming nearly unrecognizable.
• Co-chairs included Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour; Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as honorary chairs, sparking controversy.
• The event raised funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, supporting its exhibitions and educational programs.
• Broadway star Joshua Henry performed on the Met’s steps, which were redesigned as a mossy garden for the evening.
• Rihanna arrived late with A$AP Rocky, while other notable attendees included Naomi Osaka, Angela Bassett, Madonna, and Sabrina Carpenter.