Will They Reign Supreme Again This Year?
The Met Gala isn’t just fashion’s biggest night—it’s its most daring, dramatic, and deliciously unpredictable runway. Each year, a handful of stars don’t just attend—they own the carpet, turning out jaw-dropping looks that live rent-free in our heads.
This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” dives into over 300 years of Black fashion history through the lens of Dandyism—think bold tailoring, sharp silhouettes, vibrant colors, and unapologetic flair. So yes, the stakes are extra high.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up five Met Gala icons who’ve left us absolutely gagged in past years—and who we’re hoping will deliver once again. KHAMSA’s picks are in, and the question remains: will the legends bring the drama, or will someone new snatch the spotlight?
١. Rihanna, the Undisputed Queen of the Met.
Rihanna doesn’t just attend the Met Gala—she rewrites its dress code. From the imperial drama of her 2015 Guo Pei canary yellow cape (yes, the one that shut down “China: Through the Looking Glass”) to her papal moment in 2018, where she literally blessed the carpet in beaded Galliano for “Heavenly Bodies,” she’s delivered nothing short of fashion sermons. In 2021, she turned up fashionably late in all-black Balenciaga, wrapped in mystery and major cool-girl energy. And in 2023, for “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” she closed the night with a sculptural white Valentino gown topped with a rose-covered cape and dramatic shades, because why not?
With rumors of a surprise, non-mainstream album dropping soon, the real question is: will Rihanna serve us high-concept couture or a new era of stripped-down style this year?
٢. Zendaya, the True Fashion Chameleon.
Zendaya doesn’t just serve at the Met Gala—she performs. With Law Roach pulling the strings behind the scenes, every appearance is a masterclass in transformation. In 2016, she turned heads in a shimmering Michael Kors one-shoulder gown and blunt bowl-cut wig that screamed futuristic glam. For 2018’s “Heavenly Bodies”, she went full Joan of Arc in custom Versace armor, looking like she was ready to storm the Vatican in heels. And after a few years of heartbreaking absences, she came back with a double dose of drama in 2024—serving not one, but two jaw-dropping looks: a custom Maison Margiela masterpiece and an ethereal archive Givenchy gown, proving that one Zendaya moment just isn’t enough.
So, now we have to ask: if she really is coming this year… are we getting one, two—or maybe even three killer looks?
٣. Kim K, the Met Gala Disruptor
Love her or hate her, Kim Kardashian knows how to own a Met Gala moment. In 2019, she stepped out in that now-legendary Thierry Mugler “wet look” dress, dripping in crystals and impossibly cinched, redefining bombshell glamour for the “Camp” theme. Then came 2021, where she shocked (and low-key confused) everyone in a head-to-toe black Balenciaga bodysuit that erased her silhouette completely—yet somehow made her the most talked-about guest of the night. In 2022, she broke the internet again by slipping into Marilyn Monroe’s actual “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress, igniting debate and setting a new bar for fashion controversy. And in 2023, she brought vintage pearls and waist-snatching drama to honor Karl Lagerfeld in a custom Schiaparelli that looked like it was sculpted onto her body.
With this year’s theme celebrating Black dandyism and tailored flair, the real question is: will Kim go sleek and structured—or is she planning to shock us all over again?
٤. Jared Leto, the Met Gala Wild Card
When it comes to the Met Gala, Jared Leto doesn’t dress for the theme—he embodies it. In 2018, he channeled celestial mysticism alongside Alessandro Michele and Lana Del Rey, draped in rich Gucci robes and golden crowns that screamed modern-day saint meets rock god. Then came 2019, when he casually brought his own severed head as an accessory, because—why not? Fast forward to 2022, Leto doubled down on the surreal by twinning with Michele in matching ivory suits and crystal harnesses, because one Leto apparently isn’t enough. But nothing could have prepared us for 2023, when he showed up as Choupette—yes, Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat—encased in a full-on furry suit that blurred the line between genius and fever dream.
So, what’s next? A Jared Leto cyborg in custom chrome tailoring? A Gucci spaceship landing on the Met steps? Honestly, with Leto, nothing is too far-fetched.
٥. Cardi B, the Couture Commander
When Cardi B shows up to the Met Gala, subtlety leaves the building. From her 2018 Moschino debut, dripping in pearls and Catholic opulence, to the 2019 Thom Browne crimson explosion that swallowed the carpet in feathers and attitude, she’s made it clear: this is her stage. In 2022, she embodied pure gilded glam in gold Versace chains, looking like hip-hop royalty at a baroque ball. And for 2023’s Karl Lagerfeld theme, Cardi turned out multiple jaw-dropping looks, including a sculptural rose-filled gown with tuxedo flair—serving both elegance and edge in one sweep.
So with 2025’s theme celebrating tailored Black style and dandyish flair, the question is: will Cardi deliver a custom corseted power suit… or show up in a human-sized diamond watch with a working clock inside? Honestly, both seem likely.
