Thirteen of the Most Uncomfortable Instances in Met Gala Chronicles

Every year, the first Monday of May heralds the arrival of the Met Gala.

Often dubbed the 'East Coast Oscars,' this event serves as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2024, it brought in nearly $26 million as noted by The New York Times. Yet, it is more famous for its extravagant fashion statements aligned with thematic spectacles like 'Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,' 'Camp: Notes on Fashion,' and 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

With regulars like Zendaya and Emma Chamberlain set to appear for this year’s 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme on May 5, it’s a fitting occasion to recall how even the brightest stars sometimes encounter uneasy moments, even at such illustrious gatherings.

A Surprising Photobomb in 2013 by Jennifer Lawrence

During the 2013 event, Jennifer Lawrence humorously crashed into a photo op involving Sarah Jessica Parker by playfully reaching for Parker's distinctive feathered headwear while Parker was posing for the cameras.

Despite catching Parker by surprise, the 'Sex and the City' actress took it in stride, and both stars shared a laugh. Parker even generously allowed Lawrence to pet her unique headgear.

Reese Witherspoon's Pronunciation Struggle in 2014

Following the 2014 Met Gala, a recording surfaced where Reese Witherspoon was seen struggling to pronounce model Cara Delevingne's name while inside an elevator, leading to a viral moment. Though Delevingne eventually removed the video, the clip lived on through various news segments.

Accompanied by British drummer Tennessee Thomas, Witherspoon eventually pronounced the surname as "Dee-luh-vig-nee," but also stumbled on the first name, alternating between "Care-ah" and "Car-ah." Zooey Deschanel and Kate Upton, present at the scene, joined in the laughter.

An Attempted Prank and a Mankini in 2014

That same year, a man made headlines by attempting to dash across the red carpet clad in nothing but a hot-pink mankini and a large gold chain. Authorities intercepted him before he fully realized his bold plan.

Hayden Panettiere's Staircase Slip in 2014

Hayden Panettiere experienced a minor mishap when she proclaimed "Hallelujah! I made it up the stairs!" only to stumble on her descent. However, she took the fall in good humor, ensuring to lift her dress to avoid another accident.

Rihanna's Social Media Like Sparks Attention in 2017

After the 2017 gala, fans believed Rihanna embodied the theme 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between' with unmatched dedication compared to her peers. Aligning with public opinion, Rihanna liked an Instagram post that humorously critiqued other celebrities for not adhering to the evening's fashion brief.

Awkward Moment for The Weeknd and Selena Gomez in 2017

Despite numerous celebrity couples exhibiting affection in public, The Weeknd and Selena Gomez's kiss at the 2017 Met Gala seemed awkwardly timed or captured at a bad angle, serving as a lingering snapshot of their fleeting relationship, which ended later that year.

Nicki Minaj's Theme Confusion in 2019

The 2019 theme 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' perplexed many attendees. Nicki Minaj candidly admitted during a red-carpet interview that she didn't grasp the concept of 'camp,' questioning whether her attire even fit the theme.

Karlie Kloss and the Unhappening Internet Moment of 2019

Karlie Kloss anticipated an online sensation with a photo claiming to "look camp right in the eye." Nevertheless, her attire—a mini dress by Dapper Dan for Gucci—failed to make an impression amid vibrant competitors such as Zendaya's Cinderella transformation and Katy Perry's chandelier ensemble.

In 2021, Keke Palmer and the Beckham Query

While covering the carpet, host Keke Palmer humorously inquired about Brooklyn Beckham's origins, although he is well-known as the son of English icons David and Victoria Beckham. Brooklyn, accompanied by Nicola Peltz, responded lightheartedly to the surprise.

Emma Chamberlain and Jack Harlow's Impromptu Affection in 2022

During the 2022 event, YouTube influencer Emma Chamberlain and artist Jack Harlow humorously exchanged surprise 'I love yous' during an interview. Though unexpected, the moment became a delightful surprise, leading to discussions on various interpretations of the exchange.

Doja Cat's Meow-tastic Representation of 2023

To honor the 2023 Met Gala's theme honoring Karl Lagerfeld, Doja Cat dramatically portrayed Lagerfeld's feline, Choupette, at the event. Answering interview questions solely with meows, she committed to the act, inciting both amusement and awkwardness among onlookers.

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang's Identical Dress Incident in 2023

Two notable attendees, Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang, found humor rather than distress in wearing nearly identical vintage Chloe dresses. They took to social media, celebrating the shared fashion statement instead of any embarrassment.

Ed Sheeran's Foot Trouble with FKA Twigs' Dress in 2024

In a creative twist of fate, Ed Sheeran got inadvertently entangled in the strings of FKA Twigs' designer gown while posing at the Met Gala in 2024. Thanks to Cara Delevingne's assistance, he was eventually set free, though the incident sparked many memories of Troy Bolton from 'High School Musical' due to his choice of attire.