Top music icons at Met Gala over the years from Rihanna to Cardi b

When music meets high fashion, the Met Gala transforms from a red carpet into a full-blown runway spectacle—and no one brings the drama quite like music’s biggest stars. These artists don’t just attend; they arrive, making bold statements that blend couture with pure performance. With every dramatic train, sparkling jewel, and head-turning silhouette, they turn the Met steps into their personal stage. From fashion risks to legendary moments, here are 8 music icons who hit every note and nailed every look. 

Rihanna

Rihanna has cemented her status as the undisputed queen of the Met Gala, serving jaw-dropping looks that live forever in fashion history. In 2015, she shut down the red carpet in a canary yellow, fur-trimmed Guo Pei gown that took two years to create—an opulent, meme-making masterpiece complete with a regal train and intricate embroidery. Fast forward to 2017, she stunned in a sculptural floral fantasy by Comme des Garçons, channeling Rei Kawakubo’s avant-garde genius with fearless artistry. In 2018, she turned divine inspiration into high fashion as a jewel-encrusted pope in Maison Margiela by John Galliano, glittering her way through the “Heavenly Bodies” theme. And in 2023, while pregnant, she radiated elegance in a white Valentino Haute Couture gown with a camellia-covered cape—a breathtaking homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic flower, proving once again that no one rules the Met carpet like Rihanna.

Katy Perry 

Katy Perry, a nine-time Met Gala attendee, continues to dominate the red carpet with her bold and unforgettable fashion choices. At the 2018 Met Gala, she wowed in a striking veiled Maison Margiela ensemble featuring dramatic oversized wings, perfectly embodying the avant-garde spirit of Rei Kawakubo’s “Art of the In-Between” theme. The following year 2019, Perry embraced the playful extravagance of the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme with an attention-grabbing Moschino chandelier dress by Jeremy Scott, complete with flickering lights and sparkling crystals. But her most recent appearance at the 2022 Met Gala saw her take on a classic yet edgy look in a black and cream Oscar de la Renta gown, showcasing sculptural elegance with exaggerated hips, tulle layers, and delicate lace detailing. Perry’s Met Gala looks consistently push boundaries, cementing her status as a true fashion icon.

Lady gaga

At the Met Gala, Lady Gaga has become synonymous with fashion spectacle, and her unforgettable appearances in 2016 and 2019 are prime examples. In 2016, she stunned in a futuristic Versace ensemble that flawlessly captured the theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” sporting a silver sequin bodysuit, metallic jacket, and bold fishnet stockings that were later transformed into a fierce robotic-inspired look—blurring the lines between fashion and technology. Fast forward to 2019, Gaga took the Met Gala by storm once again, delivering a series of jaw-dropping reveals in a dramatic performance crafted by her collaborator Brandon Maxwell. She started with a fuchsia pink gown with a 25-foot train, followed by a sleek black dress, a playful sequined bikini, and finally, a fierce black outfit with fishnet tights—a masterclass in high drama, sensuality, and rebellion that became a fashion moment for the ages.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande has proven that she’s a Met Gala muse in the making—from her 2018 debut in a showstopping Vera Wang gown, wrapped in ethereal tulle and printed with Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, to her divine 2024 comeback where she delivered not one, but two unforgettable fashion moments. She first floated down the carpet in a custom Loewe masterpiece, shimmering in a mother-of-pearl corset and cascading silk chiffon skirt that nodded to her Wicked role as Glinda, before changing into a sheer green Maison Margiela dream by John Galliano for her performance, complete with floral appliqués and hoof-shaped heels—an enchanting transformation she dubbed her favorite look ever. Grande didn’t just attend the Met Gala—she made it her runway of reinvention.

Lil nas x 

Lil Nas X has become the undisputed showstopper of the Met Gala, delivering jaw-dropping, conversation-dominating looks year after year. In 2021, he arrived in royal style with a three-part Versace reveal—first a majestic gold cape, then a golden suit of armor, and finally a crystal-studded bodysuit that screamed queer power and futuristic fantasy. Fast-forward to 2023, and he went full intergalactic icon, draped in silver crystals, metallic body paint by Pat McGrath, and little more than a shimmering Dior thong, platform heels, and a mask that transformed him into a glittering celestial being. In 2024, he flipped the script again, reimagining classic menswear with a custom white Luar suit featuring sculptural lines, silver sequins, crystal nails, and a single white rose—an elegant fusion of romance, rebellion, and high-concept fashion. Lil Nas X isn’t just attending the Met Gala—he’s rewriting its style legacy, one fearless look at a time.

Cardi B

Cardi B has turned the Met Gala into her personal fashion stage, captivating fans year after year with bold, unforgettable looks. In 2022, she lit up the carpet in a custom Atelier Versace gown made entirely of gold chains and Medusa medallions, embodying the “Gilded Glamour” theme with golden, goddess-like opulence. In 2023, she delivered multiple standout outfits, but it was her black-and-white Chenpeng Studio ballgown—an homage to Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel’s quilted legacy—that stole the show with its daring, sculptural elegance. Then in 2024, she stunned again in layers of black tulle by Sensen Lii for Windowsen, floating down the carpet like a gothic vision, perfectly channeling the “Garden of Time” theme. With every appearance, Cardi B doesn’t just dress for the Met—she commands it, leaving behind a legacy of fearless fashion moments.

Doja cat

Doja Cat has consistently proven herself a standout on the Met Gala red carpet, with her 2023 and 2024 appearances cementing her status as a fashion risk-taker. In 2023, she stunned in a custom Oscar de la Renta gown inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. Designed with Fernando Garcia, the look featured a hood with cat ears, a feathered train, and facial prosthetics that turned Doja into a couture feline, blending elegance with playful creativity. In 2024, she pushed boundaries again in a daring “wet T-shirt” illusion by Vetements, designed by Guram Gvasalia. The sheer, body-hugging look mimicked dripping water, fusing sensuality with high fashion in a way only Doja could. With her fearless vision and bold execution, she continues to leave a lasting mark on the Met Gala as a true avant-garde icon.

Lana Del Ray

Lana Del Rey has carved out a distinct space at the Met Gala, known for her vintage-inspired looks with a modern, dramatic twist. In 2012, she made a memorable debut in a metallic silver Joseph Altuzarra gown paired with a flowing black cape, exuding gothic romance and cinematic flair. By 2018, she embraced celestial elegance in a custom cream and gold Gucci gown, complete with a striking blue headpiece, perfectly capturing the “Heavenly Bodies” theme with a Renaissance-like presence. In 2024, Lana returned in a breathtaking custom Alexander McQueen creation by Seán McGirr, blending old Hollywood glamour with contemporary edge through detailed embroidery and a sweeping silhouette. With her ethereal presence and consistently captivating style, Lana continues to be a standout figure on the Met Gala carpet.

From red carpet slay to runway legends, these music icons didn’t just attend the Met Gala—they owned it. With boundary-breaking looks and unforgettable entrances, they turned fashion into a full-blown performance. One thing’s for sure: when these stars hit the Met steps, the world watches—and remembers.