Met Gala 2024 highlights: From Zendaya to Cardi B, see the best moments

Vogue representatives at the Met Gala confirmed Rihanna would not be attending before they shuttered the carpet.

People magazine reported just a little while ago that the multihyphenate had the flu. A representative for Rihanna did not immediately confirm the reason for the confirmed attendee’s absence.

Sanya Tawakley, 21, was among the crowd watching the departures outside the Mark hotel after first trying to reach the front of the Met (“that was a bust,” she said). A student at the Fashion Institute of Technology living in New York for the first time, she said she wanted to come to see the looks.

She arrived at 5:30 p.m. — a little too late to see Tyla, but just in time to see Jonathan Bailey, Doja Cat and the models led out by Karlie Kloss. She also got a glimpse of Cardi B, who reached her hand out of the umbrella fortress that had been hiding her look to tease the fans chanting her name.

“This was a night for the girls,” she said. “I honestly think in terms of favorites: Doja killed it. Ironically, she was iconic for wearing a towel.”

Tawakley studies communication design.

“It was honestly just so much fun in terms of everyone standing there judging the looks, it was like community bonding,” she said.

By 9:15 p.m., press on the Met Gala carpet were told it was closed and it was time to go home.

But that doesn’t mean our Met Gala coverage is over! Keep visiting our hub for more stories.

Zendaya walked the carpet — again. The host looked like a funereal Marie Antoinette, wearing a John Galliano for Givenchy corseted black gown with puffy sleeves and a long train. It was topped with an Alexander McQueen headpiece in the form of a bouquet of roses for a pop of color.

Her stylist Law Roach, dressed in a white suit, helped Zendaya up the steps along with her assistant (and “Challengers” breakout) Darnell Appling.

You’re putting together a list of your favorite looks from the evening. And now you may be yearning: “If only I could see dogs adorned in such garb!”

Well, you’re in luck. Designer Anthony Rubio throws a Pet Gala in the weeks following its human-centric namesake. This year’s edition will take place on the third Monday in May — May 20. For $300 a ticket, Rubio promises a bevy of dogs in recreations of looks from the Met Gala.

“The designers for The Met Gala have months to create their looks for celebrities to shine on the red carpet. I have two weeks to recreate them and for dogs,” Rubio says on the ticket site.

“For The Pet Gala, I have to figure out how to translate garments worn by humans onto our four-legged stars,” he continues. “Humans can suffer for their fashion, but dogs will not. Their comfort and safety is my top priority.”

No. And she might not be coming after all.

Rihanna confirmed her attendance this year, but People magazine is now reporting that she has the flu and thus had to cancel. A representative for the multihyphenate has not responded to The Associated Press’ request for confirmation.

Stars both old and new from the universe of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” entered Sunday alongside none other than Donatella Versace, the fashion designer who leads her family’s iconic Italian luxury brand.

Versace was flanked by Jude Law, who played the spoiled millionaire playboy Dickie Greenleaf whose identity gets stolen in the 1999 film, and Andrew Scott, who portrays the titular character in Netflix’s new eight-part adaptation set in Italy.

Law’s Ripley, Matt Damon, was also separately in attendance.

The Vogue livestream may be down, but the Met Gala carpet isn’t yet closed to couture.

The scene is chaotic, although the line of celebrities has slowed somewhat. Despite guests being summoned to dinner more than a half-hour ago, the new arrivals are leisurely making their way up the stairs.

Camila Cabello may be feeling the lateness more than most, though — her bag was a block of ice with a rose in it. It was dripping all over the carpet.

Then the men came out from dinner holding just Cardi B’s dress — but not her.

Remember Choupette? Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat whose presence was sorely missed at last year’s Met Gala honoring her late owner (though many an attendee paid her homage)?

Well, she didn’t make it this year, either. Flowers aren’t too good for cats. But she does appear to be doing well.

“Hey, folks! While I might not be the most active on social media, things are hopping at home, especially with my new friend who keeps me on my toes!” Choupette — or her opposable thumb-equipped oracle — posted on Instagram a few days ago. She’s acquired a new, plainer feline sibling named Siara.

Pamela Anderson has been going makeup-free to public events lately, but she appeared to break the streak for the Met Gala. It wasn’t a return to the overly done Baywatch days, however. She chose a natural, soft, glowing look to pair with her blush Oscar de la Renta.

She told People magazine previously that her barefaced looks were “freeing, and fun, and a little rebellious too” and that she was “glad it became a positive message.”

Cardi B says that if she weighs 135 pounds (61 kilograms) than her massive black dress must weigh 140 pounds (63.5 kilograms).

An Indian entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist is dropping the internets’ collective jaw on a red carpet dominated by some of the biggest names in popular culture.

Wearing a nude Iris Van Herpen gown with fluttering butterflies along both sleeves, Mona Patel was styled by Law Roach, whose celebrity roster includes 2024 Met Gala co-chair Zendaya.

Patel, however, is no movie star. She is a Forbes Next 1000 honoree whose health care ventures include a company that uses artificial intelligence to help radiologists work more efficiently.

But it’s her nonprofit work that may have landed the woman known as “Haute Mona” inside fashion’s biggest night. Motivated by the patriarchal pressure Patel said she felt growing up in India, “Couture for Cause” auctions distinctive, made-to-measure clothing and hosts global campaigns to improve girls’ access to higher education and healthcare.

From video coverage of the pro-Palestinian protests in New York, it appears as if protesters have gone in circles around the Met — coming within a block of the entrance but redirecting after they hit police barricades.

The protest started earlier this afternoon at Hunter College. From livestreams, it appears as if the group became separated — it’s unclear how many different groups there are and how many people are marching.

A chorus of at least 50 singers suddenly appeared at cocktails, which most guests opted for over a first look at the exhibit.

This is the traditional sudden performance at cocktails to get everybody to go to dinner. Then someone rang a bell, and the entire chorus and accompanying performers called out: “To dinner!”

Meet Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Met’s Costume Institute. He assumed that role in 2015 and designs the blockbuster spring exhibit that accompanies the annual Met Gala.

“I think the fact that (fashion) is associated with celebrities is sometimes not always a good thing,” he told the AP in 2016. “The celebrities wearing the clothing sometimes outshine the garment itself.”

Bolton’s partner is high-profile fashion designer Thom Browne.

For Kim Kardashian, the Met Gala is a family affair. She has a group chat with her sisters and they plan to meet at the top of the stairs. Their mom, however, was “already inside partying,” Vogue host La La Anthony told her friend.

“When our families worked together for Skims, I was so thrilled,” Lana Del Rey told Kardashian on the Vogue livestream.

Angel Reese is on her way from the Mark to make her Met Gala debut, wearing a feather-adorned dress in a light mint green.

The LSU women’s basketball star recently made her debut for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

It’s almost dinner time. Tonight’s meal has been designed and provided by Olivier Cheng Catering. Dinner will be in the Temple of Dendur. There will be “tablescapes” of “enchanted candelabras entwined with floral arrangements, further transporting guests inside a fairytale narrative.” Here’s what’s on the menu:

To start: medley of spring vegetables paired with olive soil, elderflower foam and raspberry vinaigrette (no, that’s not a typo for “olive oil”)

Main course: filet of beef, pea tortellini, morels and spring vegetables

Dessert: assortment of petits fours inspired by the Brothers’ Grimm fairytale of — yep — Sleeping Beauty and a selection of “confections in the shape of bespoke hats”

AP cameras captured New York police shoving what appeared to be a protester off the carpet and over the barricades.

It’s unclear what preceded the scuffle. Pro-Palestinian protesters have been marching nearby, but it’s unclear whether this incident was related.

7:08 p.m.: Kris Jenner, in white Oscar de la Renta, chats with La La Anthony on the carpet, with Corey Gamble. “It’s just a wonderful night and we get to see the kids in a little while,” Jenner said. Anthony asked when her best friend, Kim Kardashian, would arrive. “Any minute,” Jenner said. “You know Kim.”

7:23 p.m.: Fresh from the Tom Brady roast, and undeterred by the previous night’s boos, Kim Kardashian seems to be spotted leaving The Mark, under cover of multiple umbrellas.

7:41 p.m.: Kim Kardashian posts a series of photos on Instagram previewing her silver Maison Margiela by John Galliano, showing off a tiny waistline that might make Scarlett O’Hara faint.

7:46 p.m.: Kendall Jenner walks the Met carpet in archival Givenchy by Alexander McQueen from 1999. She tells Anthony that she’s the first human to wear it. “I couldn’t do any tailoring … but it just fit perfectly,” she told Vogue. “It was meant to be.”

7:53 p.m.: Kim Kardashian, sporting platinum blonde hair, appears on the carpet.

8 p.m.: Kylie Jenner is on the carpet.

We have an umbrella cover-up again.

Shortly after a large bag — with only some black tulle popping out the top — was carried out of the Mark, someone surrounded by large Mark umbrellas was walked out of the hotel. The crowd started charting “Cardi!” as the group carefully made their way around a sprinter van.

It’s not just Gigi Hadid with a detachable dress. Newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph had half her Gap dress removed and carted away by Met Gala staff.

Here’s a look at some of the most notable accessories at tonight’s Met Gala:

• Colman Domingo left the Mark with a bouquet of white calla lilies
• Tyla, in a gown made to look like sand, held an hourglass
• Adam Mosseri wore a velvet jacket adorned with pins — flowers, a suitcase, a plane, a bow
• Sam Smith wore silver and gold metal roses tucked into the waist of their jacket
• Jack Harlow also channeled florals — but subtly with a silver and pearl floral boutonniere
• Alexandra Daddario wore a golden, snake-like crown with her butterfly-adorned Dior dress
• Elizabeth Debicki wore a floral headpiece, the same color as her flowing satin gown
• Michael Shannon held a bag meant to look like chips (cheese & onion flavor, specifically)

A-list celebrities aren’t the only ones getting in on the fashion fun this spring.

Alternative galas have popped up around New York to democratize the exclusive fundraiser’s spectacle and draw attention to other causes.

Some 200 pajama-clad revelers got cozy on Sunday evening to raise money for medical bill relief at the second Debt Gala. The theme was “Sleeping Baddies” — a play on the The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s new “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibit.

Last year’s benefit raised more than $15,000, which helped relieve nearly $2 million in medical debt, according to organizers.

“Why should this wonderful, fun display of creativity and showmanship just be reserved for these wealthy elite when there’s so many amazing, creative New Yorkers who deserve to get the red-carpet treatment?” Debt Gala co-founder Molly Gaebe told The Associated Press.

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Chris Hemsworth is accompanied by Elsa Pataky, but his co-hosts seem to be riding solo.

Last year, Anna Wintour was accompanied by Bill Nighy, but she walked the carpet solo today. Jennifer Lopez and Zendaya have also arrived, but partners Ben Affleck and Tom Holland aren’t here — yet, at least.

An AP photographer outside the gala says protesters have begun moving away from the vicinity of the Met Gala.

Police ordered protesters to stay on the sidewalks and stay off the roadway. If they don’t comply, they were threatened with arrest for disorderly conduct. Photos showed a protester being detained, but New York police have not yet confirmed any arrests.

Colman Domingo said he took inspiration from the late Chadwick Boseman for tonight’s look. The “Rustin” star emerged as one of Hollywood’s most-watched dressers last awards season as he took forward-looking approaches for leading men’s fashion.

Wearing Willy Chavarria, Domingo described the 2024 Met Gala as the “cherry on top” of a “magical year.” He named the iconic “Black Panther” actor and Chicano culture as influences for his strong-shouldered cream jacket and loose black trousers.

“All of it feels hot and street and sexy,” Domingo told Vogue.

Gigi Hadid needed four people to help her with her gown. She described it as a sculpture. She said it’s detachable so she won’t have to carry it inside.

No.

(We’ll check in once an hour until she shows, though.)

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Hunter College toward the Metropolitan Museum of Art as the gala was underway. The protesters were chanting and clapping as they marched, and some held signs that read “Free free Palestine” and “Revolution will be live, free Gaza.”

The protesters tried to skirt police to get closer to the event, per livestreams, but the security cordons around the gala are pretty extensive. An AP photo shows NYPD arresting one protester nearby.

Lauren Bush Lauren met her husband, David Lauren, 20 years ago in the taxi line at the Met Gala.

“(yes, there used to be a taxi queue),” she quipped in an Instagram post today.

The four celebrity co-chairs have arrived in a range of styles both traditional and bold — but all dressed by some of the most acclaimed designers.

Jennifer Lopez donned custom Schiaparelli. A 13-time veteran of the Met Gala, Lopez wore a sheer gown with sparkling rhinestones.

Zendaya went all-in on “The Garden of Time” theme in custom Maison Margiela. The “Challengers” star wore a blue and green dress adorned with a mockingbird and bunches of grapes.

Also wearing Maison Margiela was Bad Bunny. Holding a black floral bouquet, the Puerto Rican singer had on a navy jacket with red details inside his pants legs and a poofy beret-esque hat.

Chris Hemsworth, the first-time host who has joked that he is not fashionable, wore a tan Tom Ford suit. The Australian actor dressed things down a bit, foregoing a tie and leaving several shirt buttons undone.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew is no stranger to the red carpet. Like the technology giants that preceded his company’s rise to prominence — Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook, for example — he has previously attended the Met Gala.

But that appearance came in 2022, before U.S. lawmakers began cracking down on TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company over national security concerns. Designated by Anna Wintour as an honorary chair for this year’s benefit — TikTok is the gala’s chief sponsor this year — Chew is expected to return for fashion’s biggest night out.

It’s unlikely he will be greeted with the same skepticism he got from Congress earlier this year during a nearly six-hour grilling over ByteDance’s safety policies. But if celebrity attendees serve viral looks tonight like they’ve done in the past, it’s almost certain that the 2024 Met Gala will be one that generates plenty of content for TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users.