Look Back at Your Fave Stars' First Met Galas and Realize How Far Their Style Has Come

See photos of celebs such as Selena Gomez, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Cardi B, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and more at their first appearances at the prestigious Met Gala.

By Corinne Heller Sep 11, 2021 3:00 AMTags
Watch: Greatest Met Gala Bloopers in History!

Many stars have made their mark on the Met Gala stairs by slaying in jaw-dropping designs, but fashion icons are made, not born.

At the annual fashion event, celebs have shown off some of their most daring looks, created by top designers. And over the years, repeat guests have grown even bolder with their fashion choices. Years before Rihanna spurred omelet memes with her now-iconic massive yellow dress-robe and a Pope-like outfit at recent Met Galas, she walked the famous red carpet in a romantic white bejeweled dress.

Other stars who have showcased eclectic styles at the Met Gala include Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Naomi CampbellSarah Jessica Parker and Taylor Swift, and in recent years, fan-favorite reality stars and influencers such as Kylie Jenner and YouTuber Lilly Singh have joined the actors, models and musicians on the red carpet.

photos
These Are the Celeb Couples We Hope Have RSVP'd to the Met Gala

Like Rihanna, Kylie's first Met Gala look was relatively modest before she and sister Kendall Jenner stunned onlookers with corresponding feathered and beaded Versace gowns at the 2019 event.

Also making their Met Gala debuts in recent years: A pregnant Cardi B, Billy Porter, Harry Styles and Céline Dion—with all showcasing elaborate styles to match an equally elaborate annual theme. As a first-time Met Gala guest in 2017, Dion's look not only turned heads but was even functional.

"I really insisted there was a pocket in the dress," she told E! News on the red carpet, "because I didn't know if I had to bring my car [keys]. Are they gonna let me in? Then I had a little tissue just in case...my driver's license, my passport. I didn't know what to bring."

See photos of stars at their first Met Galas:

Naomi Campbell in 1990

In Versace

Gwyneth Paltrow in 1995

In Calvin Klein

Sarah Jessica Parker in 1995
Kate Moss, Calvin Klein & Christy Turlington in 1995

In Calvin Klein (Kate)

Jennifer Lopez & Sean "Diddy" Combs in 1999
Gisele Bundchen in 1999

In Versace

Salma Hayek in 1997

In Versace

Kate Hudson in 2003

In Stella McCartney

Victoria Beckham in 2003

In Dolce & Gabbana

Nicole Kidman in 2003

In Gucci by Tom Ford

Eva Mendes in 2004

In Zac Posen

Serena Williams in 2004
Jimmy Fallon in 2004
Diane Kruger in 2004

In Balenciaga

Naomi Watts in 2004

In Marc Jacobs

Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen in 2005

In Oscar de la Renta (Ashley) and a vintage dress from What Comes Around Goes Around (Mary-Kate)

Emmy Rossum in 2005

In Ralph Lauren

Jessica Alba in 2006

In Calvin Klein

Sienna Miller in 2006

In Burberry Prorsum

Cameron Diaz in 2007

In Dior

Rihanna in 2007

In Georges Chakra

Kerry Washington in 2007
Beyoncé in 2008

In Armani Privé

Taylor Swift in 2008

In Badgley Mischka

Blake Lively in 2008

In Ralph Lauren

Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake in 2009

In Versace (Jessica) 

Anne Hathaway in 2009

In Marc Jacobs

Katy Perry in 2009

In Tommy Hilfiger

Amber Rose & Kanye West in 2009

In Carolina Herrera (Amber) 

Emma Stone in 2009
photos
View More Photos From Stars' First Met Gala Appearances

Latest News