Met Gala 2023 - live: Karl Lagerfeld theme blamed for ‘boring’ best dressed list as cockroach steals show

Rihanna arrived fashionably late, preceded by a cockroach that nearly stole the show

Met Gala: Stars walk the red carpet

The 2023 Met Gala has come to a close.

This year’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, which aimed to “examine the life” of the late designer’s fashion legacy.

But while many celebrities showed off their best Lagerfeld-inspired looks, viewers have branded fashion’s biggest night as “boring” due to the black-and-white ensembles that ruled the evening.

However, an unexpected guest went viral for its red carpet appearance. A cockroach was spotted on the red carpet and photographed before being “stepped on”, leading to viewers mourning its death.

The decision to feature the German designer so prominently has also attracted criticism given his history of controversial remarks.

Models protested ahead of the event, with Jameela Jamil among those who condemned the choice. Concerns were also raised about his past fatphobic and body-shaming comments.

In line with the theme, guests were informed that the “most authentic approach” for the Met Gala 2023 dress code would be “to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led”.

Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Lopez all walked the red carpet in line with the theme, while some stars took more creative liberties in their Met Gala looks. Doja Cat and Jared Leto, for example, arrived dressed as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette.

Met Gala 2023 key points

• Met Gala livestream ends abruptly
• The best dressed stars of 2023
• Rihanna arrives fashionably late
• The Met Gala theme and why it’s so controversial
• A cockroach on the red carpet turned out to be a Met Gala highlight

[2 May 2023 07:30 · Meredith Clark]

What happens inside the exclusive Met Gala?

While the Met Gala red carpet has ended, many attendees are still partying until the early morning.

Following the red carpet livestream, which abruptly ended this year after no sign of Rihanna, the guests make their way inside The Met museum.

However, what happens after is shrouded in mystery, as it has never been revealed what exactly occurs inside during the invite-only party.

From a cocktail hour to a sit-down dinner and musical performance, this is what we know about what goes on inside the Met Gala.

[2 May 2023 08:00 · Meredith Clark]

The Met Gala has seen its fair share of controversies in the past, and this year is no different.

While the 2023 Met Gala theme – “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” – received much backlash after it was announced last September, the annual fashion event has previously sparked debate over its choice of theme.

From “China: Through the Looking Glass” in 2015 to “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination” in 2018, the Met Gala has encouraged guests – and viewers – to push the boundaries of fashion.

Here’s a look back at some of the most controversial Met Gala themes.

[2 May 2023 08:30 · Meredith Clark]

The Met Gala red carpet abruptly ends

The Met Gala red carpet livestream came to a sudden end on Monday evening, after attempts by the hosts to keep the show going despite a clearly empty red carpet.

After many celebrities and fashion influencers posed for pictures on the Met Gala red carpet, they headed inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the festivities to behind. However, they left behind what many called an “empty” red carpet.

The pacing of the event appeared to pose an issue for Vogue, with the hosts of the livestream promising viewers more arrivals before ultimately ending the show at 9.22pm.

Chelsea Ritschel has more on the awkward ending.

[2 May 2023 09:00 · Meredith Clark]

Rihanna shares pregnancy update on Met Gala red carpet after arriving late with A$AP Rocky

Rihanna finally arrived at the 2023 Met Gala on Monday night after much delay.

The singer walked the red carpet with boyfriend A$AP Rocky just moments after Vogue ended its livestream of the event. Rihanna opted for a white floral gown by Valentino, which showed off her growing baby bump.

Despite her delayed arrival, Rihanna took the opportunity to give an update on her second pregnancy, telling E! News that it’s “so different” from the first.

“Just everything. All of … no cravings, tons of nausea, everything is different,” Rihanna said, before adding: “But, I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it. I feel good, I feel energetic.”

The singer was then asked about the couple’s firstborn, who they welcomed in May 2022. “I’m in love. I’m obsessed,” Rihanna said of her and Rocky’s son. “And I don’t even feel guilty about it.”

[2 May 2023 09:30 · Peony Hirwani]

Diddy sweats profusely when asked to describe Yung Miami relationship at Met Gala

Diddy started sweating profusely when TV host and BMF actor La La Anthony asked him to describe his relationship with Yung Miami at the Met Gala.

[2 May 2023 10:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wear the same dress to the Met Gala

Olivia Wilde and Margaret Zhang wore the same dress to the Met Gala.

On Monday (1 May), the 39-year-old Don’t Worry Darling director and the 29-year-old Vogue China editor wore the same dress to the annual event.

The outfit, which featured a high collar and cutouts on each side, was reportedly “a collaboration” between the late Karl Lagerfeld and Chloé’s Gabriela Hearst.

[2 May 2023 10:30 · Peony Hirwani]

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson reunite at the Met Gala

[2 May 2023 11:00 · Peony Hirwani]

A cockroach on the red carpet turned out to be a Met Gala highlight

An unlikely guest had a red carpet moment at the 2023 Met Gala, amongst a number of glamorous stars.

A cockroach was spotted crawling along the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday night (1 May) just before Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their appearance.

The insect was papped on the carpet by photographer Kevin Mazur, who posed with his picture of the cockroach for Variety magazine’s Twitter feed.

It quickly became a sensation on social media, with many declaring that the cockroach was the “moment” of the night, instead of the slew of celebrities dressed in elaborate outfits in honour of the Met Gala theme.

[2 May 2023 11:30 · Peony Hirwani]

Anna Wintour seemingly confirms relationship with Bill Nighy at the Met Gala

Anna Wintour seemingly confirmed her relationship with actor Bill Nighy when they walked the red carpet of this year’s Met Gala together.

Wintour, who’s been organising the annual fundraising event since 1995, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday 1 May with Nighy. For the occasion, she wore a patterned coat over a silver, satin skirt.

Meanwhile, her date for the evening wore a black suit along with his white button down shirt and a navy blue tie.

As the pair posed for pictures, Wintour had her hand wrapped around the Love, Actually star’s arm.

[2 May 2023 12:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Fan recalls moment A$AP Rocky jumped over her before Met Gala: ‘Sweetheart I need to get through’

The woman who found herself inadvertently helping A$AP Rocky jump a barricade outside of The Carlyle Hotel in New York City ahead of the 2023 Met Gala has opened up about the shock she felt after realising who she’d assisted.

Read what she said below.