The 2026 Met Gala Had Beyoncé, Rihanna and Anok Yai, But Olandria’s Snub Stole the Story

Every year, fashion’s biggest night delivers drama, delusion and a few genuinely breathtaking moments. The 2026 Met Gala, held for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Art exhibition with the dress code “Fashion Is Art,” was no exception. We saw celebrities dressed as walking sculptures, infected intestines, and at least one person who looked ready to fight Michael Jackson. But before I get into the looks, I need to address the most disappointing news of the night.

Olandria from Love Island was snubbed

Yes, you read that correctly. According to her makeup artist, Painted by Esther, Olandria was cut from the red carpet at the last minute. Esther posted: “They play with our girl, y’all. Next time.” When a fan asked what happened, she said she obviously can’t get into behind-the-scenes drama, but confirmed it’s not happening this year.

I understand that the fashion world looks down on reality stars and influencers. But Olandria has served enough great looks and garnered enough attention to be on that carpet. She would have been a trending moment. I want to know which fashion house was unprofessional enough to pull her at the last minute. Justice for Olandria. I hope the truth comes out.

Now, onto the looks – and there is a lot to unpack.

Kim Kardashian looked a …interesting. She wore an orange sculptural breastplate created with British pop artist Allen Jones, paired with a custom leather skirt by Whitaker Malem. It was very glossy, very anatomical, very “museum exhibit that came alive and started selling shapewear.” Something was just missing. The idea was there, but the execution did not fully land for me. But since it is Kimberly, she gets away with it.

Cardi B showed up in Marc Jacobs. I actually liked the silhouette, but the fabric and design looked like infection. Some people said busted intestines, and I could not stop thinking about that. Still, I do not hate it. Cardi takes risks, and even when the look is doing too much, she knows how to carry it.

Madonna wore a custom Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, with a dramatic gothic look reportedly inspired by surrealist painter Leonora Carrington. I understand the reference and that Madonna loves a witchy fashion moment. But did I love it? No. It was giving Wicked Witch of the West after a séance in a couture attic. Not my favourite look of the night.

Damson Idris wore custom Prada. He turned around like he did not care at all. The look itself was an oversized black leather coat with red cuff details and a red top underneath. It was not giving the biggest Met Gala fashion risk, but the face card was doing overtime.

Tyla wore a custom Valentino by Alessandro Michele. She looked like an ethereal peacock. Mesmerizing. The look had that dreamy, delicate, almost fantasy-creature energy that Tyla wears so well. It felt theatrical without swallowing her. That is the key. Some celebrities show up in big fashion and disappear inside it. Tyla still looked like Tyla.

Omg Tyla so cute #MetGala pic.twitter.com/ASKiREzlmn

— Zahra (@isr4i) May 4, 2026

Bad Bunny wore a custom Zara collaboration, reportedly based on his own design. He dressed like an old man in a custom Zara look. Very interesting choice. The white hair, the cane, the dramatic black suit, the bow detail. It was certainly a character. Do I think it was one of the strongest looks of the night? No. But was I bored? Also no.

Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s nephew) looked so handsome – like Prince Naveen. His outfit was basic, but it’s his first Met Gala, so he gets a pass.

Doja Cat wore Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. I oddly liked it. The nude-toned sculptural look was risqué, exposed and very Doja, but it worked because she owned it. It had that art-object quality without feeling completely lifeless.

Heidi Klum committed to the theme. She arrived in a full statue-inspired cream look, with draped fabric, pale makeup and a floral headpiece. The reference was reportedly inspired by the veiled-statue tradition, including Raffaele Monti’s The Veiled Vestal. I have to commend the commitment. She understood “Costume Art” and said, fine, I will become the sculpture.

Chase Infiniti wore custom Thom Browne, and this was actual art. The colourful sequined gown had bold abstract patterns, fringe details and a sculptural quality that made it feel like a painting in motion. It reportedly drew inspiration from the Venus de Milo, and the level of detail showed. I really loved it.

Janelle Monae wore custom Christian Siriano, and let’s be honest: Janelle is an underrated Met icon. Her gown combined nature and technology, with cables, metallic details, moss accents and butterflies. It could have gone full arts-and-crafts disaster, but it did not. It felt theatrical, creative and still fashion. That is the balance many people miss. Janelle always shows up with a point of view. I loved it.

Anok Yai wore a custom Balenciaga by Pierpaolo Piccioli, and she was one of the highlights of the night. She looked like a walking statue, inspired by weeping Madonna and Our Lady of Tears imagery. The makeup alone was art. That face looked carved, painted, mournful and divine. The black Balenciaga dress was elegant, but the real power was in the total presentation. She looked haunting, expensive and like she understood the assignment better than half the carpet. One of my favourites.

this look is insane pic.twitter.com/L9fOhTdOfq

— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) May 5, 2026

Rihanna wore Maison Margiela. The details on that gown were incredible. The embellishments, the sequins, the sculptural wrap, the ornate headpiece. You could see the labour in it. The dress itself was a masterpiece. But I have to be honest: I did not love the look. Not my favourite Rihanna Met moment, but the craftsmanship was stunning.

And finally, the main event: Beyoncé.

Beyoncé co-chaired this year and arrived with Blue Ivy and Jay-Z. She wore a skeletal crystal gown by Olivier Rousteing, with Chopard diamonds. Rousteing is best known for his long Balmain era, so the look had that dramatic, sculpted, body-conscious Balmain-adjacent energy.

I wish it had been tailored better around the midsection, but Beyoncé looked happy to be there. She was beaming with pride at Blue Ivy, and she looked slightly over it when Jay-Z hopped into the picture. Let me stop.

This was her first Met Gala in 10 years, so it was genuinely nice to see her back. I honestly did not think she would walk the carpet, but she did. Was it her best Met look ever? No. Was it still a major moment because Beyoncé returned? Absolutely.

Beyoncé at the Met Gala for the first time in 10 years 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HRHOpX4udJ

— Complex (@Complex) May 5, 2026

Overall, the Met Gala was cool for what it was. Nothing to really write home about other than Rihanna and Beyoncé being there, and Rihanna gave Beyoncé a shoutout, which diffuses those “rivalry” rumors. That was a good moment. But justice for Olandria. She deserved to be on that carpet.