Top 4 controversies in Met Gala history

The Met Gala is renowned for its fashion-forward looks — yet sometimes, the spotlight shifts from the dazzle and style to unforeseen controversial episodes.

From an intruder trying to gatecrash the event to stars breaking rules at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the prestigious gala has seen its fair share of scandals over the years.

Here is a rundown of the most significant Met Gala controversies throughout history.

Kim Kardashian in Marilyn Monroe’s famous dress

At the 2022 Met Gala, Kardashian's choice of attire ignited one of the most talked-about controversies in the gala's history.

The SKIMS creator appeared in the original Jean Louis gown donned by Monroe during her iconic 1962 performance, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." 

The dress was on loan from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, which purchased the dress from Julien's Auction in November 2016 for $4.81 million.

Kardashian faced widespread criticism for sharing that she had lost a substantial amount of weight to fit into the dress.

Public criticism heightened when comparison photos circulated online, sparking speculation that Kim had permanently harmed the delicate silk fabric.

Solange and Jay-Z’s infamous elevator incident

The 2014 Met Gala left an indelible mark on pop culture — not just because of the fashion, but due to the intense footage of Jay-Z and Solange clashing in an elevator at The Standard hotel after an afterparty at the Boom Boom Room in New York City.

Security footage leaked showing Solange in a heated physical altercation with her brother-in-law, while his wife, Beyoncé, watched. 

The clips went viral, fueling global curiosity about what triggered such a dramatic incident among the family.

A source later informed PEOPLE that Solange had been “provoked” by fashion designer Rachel Roy, with whom she had conversed earlier that evening.

Following the video's viral success, the trio released a rare joint statement to the Associated Press addressing the "unfortunate incident," stressing that they had resolved the matter privately. 

Since then, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have addressed the altercation, with Beyoncé notably doing so on her 2016 Lemonade album.

Streaker disrupting the red carpet

The 2014 Met Gala also kicked off with an unusual security debacle on the red carpet.

Vitalii Sediuk, a notorious prankster infamous for targeting major celebrity events, tried to disrupt the gala wearing only a pink mankini with a gold chain. 

The streaker managed to evade several security guards, racing onto the well-known steps before being tackled and escorted away.

Despite the brief chaos he sparked on the red carpet, the event continued smoothly. Photographers captured the moment amid confused expressions, and it quickly went viral.

Celebrities illegally smoking in the bathroom

During the 2017 Met Gala, a host of celebrities turned a Met Museum bathroom into a makeshift smoking area — garnering public censure.

Stars shared snapshots from their smoking session, featuring Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, and Marc Jacobs among those lounging on the floor and lighting up cigarettes.

This behaviour swiftly angered museum donors and board members due to their disregard for the museum’s strict non-smoking rules and the potential threat the smoke posed to the priceless art pieces, according to Page Six. 

Moreover, the New York City Department of Health issued a reminder that smoking indoors violates the city's Smoke-Free Air Act, warranting fines for both smokers and venues.