46 Awkward Met Gala Moments That Gave Us Secondhand Embarrassment
Some truly questionable decisions were made.
The Met Gala takes place annually on the first Monday of May—and while it’s always one of the biggest fashion events of the year, you can also count on it being one of the most dramatic. First off, there’s the question of who is invited and who definitely is not. Then there’s everything that happens on those famous red carpet steps: funny interviews, wardrobe malfunctions, celebs who are clearly uncomfortable with each other, and SO much more. It’s honestly iconic! Which is why we’ve rounded up some of the most awkward Met Gala moments to make you cringe and keep you entertained while we wait to see what this year’s event will bring.
Personally, I can’t wait to see what each year’s event has in store, from themes such as 2025’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” to the unexpected on-camera interactions that kinda make you glad you weren’t invited. Until then, enjoy these delightfully awkward Met Gala moments from years past.
When A Source Said Blake Lively Isn’t Attending the 2025 Met Gala Because “She’s Not a Kardashian”
This year’s first awkward moment happened before celebs even started walking the Met’s iconic steps. Amid their ongoing legal drama with Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are reportedly skipping out on the 2025 Met Gala. According to Us Weekly’s source, it’s because “She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year.” Okay, then...
When Nobody Laughed at Camila Cabello's Joke During an Interview (2024)
During an interview with Variety's Marc Malkin, the “Dade County Dreaming” singer explained the inspiration behind her dripping ice cube purse. When Marc asked if she had seen Doja Cat’s soaking wet Vehements look on the carpet, Camila made a joke, saying, “Oh, see! The girls are wet tonight.” The innuendo didn't seem to land, though, as there was an awkward silence that followed.
When Lana Del Rey Kept Bumping Into Kim Kardashian With Her Antlers (2024)
During their red carpet interview with Kim’s bestie and Vogue red carpet correspondent LaLa Anthony, LDR kept bumping into Kim with her antlers, which Kim dodged at least six times.
When Tyla Was Carried Up the Met Steps (2024)
![the 2024 met gala](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tyla-is-carried-up-the-met-gala-stairs-by-publicists-at-the-news-photo-1715963051.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top "The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" - Arrivals")
Cosmo cover girl Tyla wore a stunning Balmain gown to the 2024 Met Gala, and because it was so delicate, she could barely move in it. Thus, she had to be carried up the steps after snapping some pics (and honestly... it looks kinda fun!).
When Ed Sheeran's Foot Got Stuck in FKA Twigs' Netted Dress (2024)
Ed Sheeran, FKA Twigs, and Cara Delevingne pulled up to the 2024 Met Gala with Stella McCartney, and Cara had to untangle the “Perfect” singer from Twig's netted dress when his foot got caught.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Bringing Truly Chaotic Vibes to Their Vogue Interview (2024)
In the middle of Ari's interview with Vogue correspondent LaLa Anthony, her Wicked co-star showed up for her slot prematurely. The singers brought chaotic energy to the steps for a moment but handled the hand-off quickly. "I think it's your turn!" Ariana said as she exited.
When Nicki Minaj (Jokingly?) Said She’d Slap the Shit Out of a Reporter (2022)
Nicki appeared to call out a reporter who leaked the info that she would be attending the 2022 Met Gala, saying she would “slap the shit out of” them. One angle of the video shows her grinning after the comment, so the consensus is that she was probably kidding? Stay unpredictable, Nicki!
When Lili Reinhart Called Out Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Diet (2022)
Don’t expect to see Lili Reinhart at the 2023 Met Gala. “I don’t think I’ll be invited back,” she told W. “I said a certain something about a certain person in a certain dress.” Lili is likely referring to an Instagram Story in which she criticized a person presumed to be Kim (who lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit in the gown) for “openly admit[ting] to starving yourself for the sake of the Met Gala.”
When Kim Kardashian (Maybe) Damaged Marilyn Monroe’s Dress (2022)
In case you somehow missed it, Kim Kardashian attended the 2022 Met Gala in a dress famously worn by Marilyn Monroe. All seemed well, until the Marilyn Monroe Collection released images alleging that Kim damaged the dress. Kim and the museum that lent her the dress have maintained that she did no such thing. Yikes!
When Kourtney Kardashian Didn’t Even Pretend to Care About the Theme (2022)
During her first Met Gala appearance, Kourtney was asked, “When you heard the theme was ‘Gilded Glamour,’ what did that mean to you?” To which she replied, “I honestly didn’t really think about it.” To which the internet was like, “Yeah, we know.”
When Kylie Wore a Baseball Cap to the Gilded Glamour–Themed Event (2022)
Speaking of the KarJenners, Kendall’s sister Kylie got mixed reviews for her 2022 Met Gala outfit, which was…a wedding dress and veil-topped baseball hat? While plenty of people on social media had thoughts on the look, Kylie shared that it was in tribute to designer Virgil Abloh, who died in 2021.
When Kendall Jenner Peed on Her Feet Before Walking the Red Carpet (2022)
Celebs truly are just like us. On an episode of The Kardashians, an incident involving Kendall Jenner having to pee in a bucket on the way to the Met Gala plays out in full detail. All you really need to know is that the words “Prada, I’m so sorry” are uttered.
When Emma Chamberlain and Jack Harlow Said “Love You” (2022)
After a slightly awkward interview with Jack Harlow, he and Emma Chamberlain parted ways by saying “Love you,” which led to this hilarious moment in which you can see Emma thinking, Wait, what?
When Keke Palmer Had No Clue Who Brooklyn Beckham Was (2021)
Keke Palmer pulling another “I don’t know who this man is…sorry to this man” (to the man’s face this time) is one of the funniest things ever. She went viral in 2021 after asking Brooklyn Beckham where he’s from. LOL.
When James Corden Stood on His Tippy-Toes (2021)
And THEN he was caught on Vogue’s livestream standing on his toes next to wife Julia Carey. Guess he’s never heard of Short King Spring.
When James Corden Kinda Shaded Keke Palmer (2021)
Maybe he was just cranky from all that Carpool Karaoke traffic, but when Keke asked James about his outfit, he said, “It’s a black tux. Let’s not start getting carried away.” To be fair, it does seem like he was just joking in the video, but cringeworthy nonetheless.
When Addison Rae Called Her 2003 Dress “Vintage” (2021)
I’m the guy in the back filming the exact moment I officially realized I’m *ancient*.
When Frank Ocean Brought a Robot Baby (2021)
If you have trouble sleeping tonight, blame this image of Frank Ocean and his robot alien child that moves and blinks on its own.
When Kim Kardashian Arrived Shrouded in Mystery (2021)
She took “Kim, there’s people that are dying!” a little too seriously and went to the Met Gala as the Grim Reaper.
When Kim Petras Dressed Like a Horse (2021)
That is all. I have no further comment.
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![new york, new york may 05: megan thee stallion attends superfine: tailoring black style, the 2025 costume institute benefit, at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by taylor hill/getty images)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2213728217-68261b7567a66.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.207xw,0&resize=360:* "The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Arrivals")
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