Cardi B slips into sleek after party look after epic red carpet design (2025)

The most fashionable day of the year, the 2024 Met Gala, once again did not disappoint.

Zendaya, a co-chair of this year's ceremony, had the world's attention when the Challengers star disappeared off the red carpet only to return in a second very impressive look. 

Attendees graced the red carpet at the main event – including Kylie Minogue, Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Lopez and, of course, Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky.

Before attention turned to the after parties and the stars' second spectacular looks of the evening.

Watch the video above and revisit all the action as it happened below. 

Stars hit the Met Gala after parties 

Once the red carpet is closed and the glittering curtains are drawn, Hollywood stars dash to another very important event: the after parties.

Traditionally, stars change out of their stunning (yet often logisitically hard to manoeuvre) outfits for the after parties.

Already, we've seen some gorgeous post-Met Gala looks from celebrities, including model Kendall Jenner, who switched her gown for a white dress with Romeo and Juliet-style wings on the bodice.

The dress is archival Givenchy, designed by the late Alexander McQueen.

Cardi B also stunned on arrival to her own after party - Cardi B's Met Ball After Party held at Silencio NY - wearing a red gown featuring a lace bustier with a cone bra that would make Madonna proud.

SEE MORE: All the after party looks.

Jessica Biel's wild pre-Met Gala preparations revealed

Jessica Biel's incredible coral-coloured Met Gala dress came at a huge price.

The 7th Heaven star, who dazzled in the plunging dress for her first appearance at the event in 11 years, revealed on TikTok that she soaked in a bath containing 20lbs (approx. nine kg) of Epsom salt to prepare for the next day.

"For real," she captioned a video of her pre-Met bathtime.

Everyone thought Katy Perry attended the Met Gala - but she didn't

It seems everyone and their mother (including Katy Perry's own mum) believed the pop star had attended the 2024 Met Gala.

Photos of the Roar singer circulated online on X and Instagram, but the photos of Perry dressed in an armour corset and a stunning floral gown were completely fake, generated by AI.

Perry took to Instagram to reveal her mum Mary texted her believing the red carpet shots were real.

"I didn't know you went to the Met," she texted her pop star daughter. "What a gorgeous gown, you look like the Rose Parade, you are your own float lol."

The singer hit back with a response, warning her mum the photos were AI. "Lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE," she replied.

Sydney Sweeney loses her veil after arriving at the Met

Anyone But You star Sydney Sweeney swapped her signature blonde locks for a short black wig during her appearance at this year's Met Gala.

However, it was an accessory she ditched after arriving at the Met that had people talking.

The actress, 26, had worn a black glittering veil over her face when photographers first captured her, but she removed it to show off her new jet black hairstyle once she joined the rest of the crowd of A-listers.

Doja Cat's outfit change between hotel departure and Met Gala arrival

When Doja Cat walked out of The Mark Hotel with influencer Beka Gvishiani (who is behind the fashion account Style Not Com), it was in a towel.

The 28-year-old singer – who dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette, last year – wore makeup with sparkly tears applied under her eyes, giving the effect of having just stepped out of the shower.

By the time she had arrived at the Met Gala, however, she had changed outfits – walking the red carpet in a sheer oversized white T-shirt that continued the shower theme with its wet texture.

Meg Ryan makes rare public appearance with first Met Gala in more than 20 years

Sleepless in Seattle's Meg Ryan posed on the red carpet alongside designer Michael Kors, marking her first Met Gala appearance in more than 20 years.

The last time Ryan, 62, attended the event was in 2001, which was themed 'Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years'.

She notably took a "giant break" from the spotlight, coming back to Hollywood in November with What Happens Later.

She then made her first red carpet appearance in years at Vanity Fair's Oscars party in March.

Some of the world's biggest names are yet to show their faces

When the red carpet closed after three hours at around 10.30am Sydney time (8.30pm Monday New York City time), some of the most talked about names of the year – Margot Robbie, Blake Lively and Rihanna – had yet to arrive.

Robbie was very much missed, with her first name trending on X (formerly Twitter) as users called for the real life Barbie to grace the carpet with her presence.

Rihanna notably surprised fans last year, showing up at the Met Gala at the last minute – sporting her growing baby bump as she did so.

Superstar's extreme lengths to ensure no one could see her outfit before the red carpet

It's giving Hailey Bieber walking to meet Justin Bieber in an anti-paparazzi tent on their wedding day... but on a smaller scale.

Colombian singer Karol G was snapped walking out of The Carlyle Hotel underneath a beige umbrella with curtains all around it, effectively blocking waiting photographers from catching a glimpse of her outfit until she walked the red carpet.

It's the first time she's attended the Met Gala, with the musician making her debut in a gem-encrusted nude corset dress.

She paired the floor-length gown with a silver gem headpiece, and elf-like prosthetic ears.

Kylie Minogue attends first Met Gala in 10 years in custom creation

Australia's sweetheart Kylie Minogue has had a monumental 12 months, notably winning her first ARIA Award in 21 years in November, and recently being named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People for 2024.

She's now topped off her monumental comeback with her first appearance at the Met Gala in 10 years, wearing what appears to be a custom Diesel dress.

The last time she attended was in 2014, alongside Marchesa's Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman.

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Minogue is wearing a devoré denim knit, which can appear transparent at some times, embellished with thousands of micro crystals.

"It's meant to look as though Kylie has been sleeping in this dress for hundreds of years," Diesel's creative director Glenn Martens told Vogue.

"Leaving parts of the fabric dissolved around her body's contours."

More Aussies sizzle on the red carpet – including Hugh Jackman, who is flying solo

Troye Sivan is among the stars from the land Down Under who scored a highly-coveted invite – and rumoured $US75,000 (approx. $113,277) ticket – to fashion's night of nights.

As did Hugh Jackman, who is attending the event solo. This time last year, he was with Deborra-lee Furness. The duo announced their split months later in 2023 after 27 years of marriage.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, meanwhile, gave fans a sneak peek of what to expect from their red carpet arrival.

"Date Night at The @MetMuseum 🤍🖤 #MetGala," Kidman wrote on Instagram.

Sarah Jessica Parker hails a standing limo

Behind the glamour is a whole bunch of hilarious logistics, apparently, with Sarah Jessica Parker revealing on Instagram she hitched a ride in a limousine – with enough room for her to stand – to the Met Gala.

She wore a nude Richard Quinn dress and a Philip Treacy hat.

Hidden detail in Sam Smith and partner Christian Cowan's outfits

Sam Smith has made their Met Gala debut with their partner Christian Cowan by their side.

The couple, who have never walked a red carpet together before, wore matching metal roses pinned to their blazers, which Cowan revealed to Vogue he actually designed.

The pair have been linked romantically since January 2023, though earlier this year, their relationship was plagued with split reports.

Jennifer Lopez is wearing a truly staggering amount of beads

Co-chair J.Lo does not do anything by half.

The songstress and mogul wore a custom strapless Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown, designed by Daniel Roseberry.

The silver pearls and rhinestones were hand-embroidered onto the illusion tulle in a monumental effort that took 800 hours.

It also has more than 2.5 million silver foil bugle beads on it.

Aussies dazzle on most photographed red carpet in the world

Hemsworth may be the only Australian co-chair of the event, but he's not the only Australian in attendance.

NBA star Ben Simmons also walked the carpet, as did director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin.

The couple wore matching green ensembles with garden-inspired embroidery.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky are in the house – but they won't be spending the gala together

Australia's own Chris Hemsworth has arrived and posed with wife Elsa Pataky before walking the steps up to the mysterious dinner that famously only those inside the room get to see.

It is well-known, after all, that all attendees are strictly forbidden from using social media or taking photos while they're inside the event, something that's monitored closely by staffers (hence the clandestine bathroom selfies).

It's also a rule that spouses can't sit together while eating, according to the documentary The First Monday in May.

Hemsworth is the first Australian to co-chair the event in 17 years – the last was Cate Blanchett in 2007, and prior to that, Nicole Kidman in 2003 and 2005.

Ashley Graham stuns in crystal gown

Ashley Graham arrived on the red carpet in a black Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

The gown was handmade with a sheer skirt created from small crystals. According to Graham it took over 500 hours to create.

"I can barely breathe, the organs have been moved together," she told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. "As you can see this is not my normal waist."

Gigi Hadid teases her look

Gigi Hadid has taken to Instagram to give her followers a glimpse of her outfit. The model shared a snap of a Thom Brown label with her name on it.

She also shared a selfie while getting ready in a gold leaf mask with the caption "Met Prep" and a traffic light emoji.

Finally, Hadid added on a pic of yellow roses, possibly a hint of what we can expect to see on the red carpet. 

The first guests have arrived

Entertainment Tonight correspondent Rachel Smith is the first to arrive for the evening.

The former Miss Universe contestant opted for a gorgeous green and black velvet gown adorned with floral embellishments.

Mark Malkin, Senior Culture and Events Editor of Variety, followed closely behind Smith.

He opted for a velvet burgundy suit for the occasion. 

The steps are ready for the stars

The famous steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art have been decorated in theme ready to welcome the stars.

A cream and green coloured walkway is surrounded by shrubs with blossoming white flowers. Behind the press section is a backdrop of an enchanted forest.

All we need now are the celebs!

Country star gets ready to make her Met Gala debut

Country singer Kelsea Ballerini has confirmed she's on her way to the Met Gala.

This will mark the first time the star has been to the Gala, with her boyfriend Chase Stakes coming along for the ride.

READ MORE: Reclusive '80s fitness star Richard Simmons condemns biopic

Ballerini teased her look on her Instagram story with a boomerang video of her getting her hair dried.

"Let's get ready for the MET GALA," she captioned the short clip.

The singer's boyfriend Chase Stokes, who is known for his leading role on the Netflix series Outer Banks, revealed the moment he got his own invite to the exclusive gala.

"I was on the way to the aquarium with my girlfriend and we got the call," he told People Magazine, explaining he had just travelled after working on a film project.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, we're going to the Met.'"

"We had our final fitting last night," he added, revealing he will be wearing Michael Kors.

Anna Wintour 'deeply' apologises for this year's theme

Anna Wintour is sorry for causing a "a lot of confusion" with this year's Met Gala theme.

For the 2024 Met Gala, the Costume Institute exhibition theme will be Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion while the celebrity dress code is Garden of Time.

Speaking to Today, the Vogue editor-in-chief, who has co-chaired the Gala since 1995, admitted this year's exhibition "broke my cardinal rule".

"When we came up with the title 'Sleeping Beauties,' it's wonderful and poetic and romantic, but actually, it could be many, many things," she said.

As for the different dress code, Wintour recalled a conversation with curator Andrew Bolton who suggested the theme Garden of Time.

"So, I fear that we've unleashed a lot of confusion out there, and for which I deeply apologise."

READ MORE: How Em Rusciano coped when the world knew of her diagnosis

Met Gala co-chair confirms bizarre foods banned from the event

Met Gala co-chair Anna Wintour has confirmed there are certain ingredients she has banned from the Met Gala dinner each year.

Speaking to Today, Wintour revealed chives, onion and garlic are all off the table for one all important reason: they cause bad breath.

"Well those are three things I'm not particularly fond of," she told the outlet.

"So yes, that's true."

A former Vogue employer previously told The New York Post that parsley is banned from the dinner to avoid getting traces stuck in the celebrity guest's teeth.

Appetisers like bruschetta are reportedly also a no-no as they risk spilling on the outfits.

Miranda Kerr skips the Met Gala

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Met Gala

Met Gala regular Miranda Kerr has confirmed she's giving the event a miss this year after recently becoming a mother-of-four.

The Aussie model shared the news with her 14.5 million followers just hours before the red carpet is to set kick off, posting a photo of her and husband Evan Spiegel at the 2022 gala.

"Happy Met Gala Monday! Decided to sit this one out with our newborn 💕👼💕 Can't wait to see all of the beautiful looks tonight!" she captioned the Instagram post.

Kerr recently welcomed her fourth child – third with Spiegel – son Pierre in February.

The stars head to a pre-Gala dinner

Just hours before the big event, some big names headed to a pre-Met Gala cocktail evening hosted in SoHo.

A-listers and famous faces including Pamela Anderson and her son, plus Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez, attended the exclusive event.

See all the photos here.

9honey Style is following the Met Gala red carpet as it happens – see all the live moments here.

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