Beyoncé makes her long-awaited Met Gala return in New York tonight as the global icon steps back onto fashion’s most watched red carpet after a 10 year absence to co-chair one of the industry’s biggest nights.
The superstar joins Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour as co-chairs of the 2026 Met Gala.
It all goes down May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with the central theme “Fashion Is Art” also referred to as “Costume Art.” This is a expansive concept exploring the relationship between clothing and the human body over 5,000 years of history.
The exhibition is curated by Andrew Bolton and will feature nearly 400 pieces pairing garments with paintings and sculptures in sections like “The Naked Body” and “The Aging Body.”
Beyoncé has not attended the gala in recent years opting instead to support the WACO Wearable Art Gala founded by her mother Tina Knowles. The Houston icon has made seven Met Gala appearances dating back to 2008.
From the metallic futurism of her “Renaissance” era to the Western inspired aesthetic of “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has consistently treated style as an extension of narrative and identity.
Tonight’s red carpet dress code pushes that concept further inviting attendees to treat the body as a canvas for sculptural couture. A high-profile host committee including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Angela Bassett, and Zoë Kravitz adds to the anticipation surrounding arrivals.
The honorary chairs are Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
The livestream begins at 6 p.m. ET across digital platforms with coverage led by Vogue personalities including Ashley Graham, La La Anthony and Cara Delevingne.