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Former Love Island USA Host Tried to Sneak Garlic Into Met Gala

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Met Gala 2026 RECAP: Beyoncé’s Big Return, Rihanna Shut the Carpet Down, & More DRAMATIC Looks!

A hot new bombshell almost entered the 2026 Met Gala.

Former Love Island USA host Arielle Vandenberg tried to prank organizers of the May 4 ball, turning up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art without an invite—but with a different kind of accessory.

Indeed, Arielle tried to sneak garlic into the star-studded bash, despite the pungent plant being famously forbidden from the Met Gala menu.

For her stunt, the model teamed up with Hellmann’s to try to sneak a bottle of their garlic aioli sauce into the New York museum, even dressing the part in a sculptural white couture gown made to resemble garlic. (See all the celebrity guests at the ball here.)

“Have you ever not been invited to a party, like fashion’s biggest night?” Arielle quipped in a statement to E! News. “When I realized I wasn’t invited and garlic wasn’t either, I was like… wait, no garlic, no chives, no onions… no flavor? That didn’t make any sense to me.”

Arielle—who hosted the dating show before Sarah Hyland took over in 2022, followed by Ariana Madix in 2024—explained, “So Hellmann’s and I showed up anyway to make sure flavor got its moment… even if they didn’t let us in.”

And she made sure to dress on theme so she wouldn’t stand out among the A-list attendees—who included co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.

The look, designed by House of Hellmann’s, captured the condiment’s rich creaminess and garlicky punch,” the brand said in a statement. “The ensemble featured layered, clove-like bulbs that brought the shape of garlic to life, finished with a sparkling choker necklace inspired by Hellmann’s signature bow.”

Hellmann’s added of the prank, “It’s a playful reminder that flavor deserves a seat at any table—even the most exclusive ones.”

Hellmann’s

Indeed, Anna—the Met Gala’s longtime chair—has admitted to vetoing three foods from the dinner menu: chives, onions and garlic.

As she explained to Today’s Jenna Bush Hager in 2023, “Well, those are three things I’m not particularly fond of.” 

Instead, Olivier Cheng Catering treated stars this year to a dinner inspired by an Italian garden harvest, beginning with a green tomato salad with burrata, elderflower, pine and gooseberries, according to Vogue. The main course was a rack of lamb, served with morel panna cotta, Parmesan gnocchi and spring vegetables—asparagus, carrots and peas—with mint. 

And for a final sweet treat, guest were presented with two types of desserts: a raspberry-infusion chocolate with a red velvet cake, as well as a strawberry pavlova featuring passionfruit curd and microgreens.

“The three chapters really are taking you on this culinary journey that reflects the spirit of the exhibition,” the chef told the outlet, noting each course respectively symbolizes “the garden,” “the statue” and “the silhouette.”

David Fisher/Shutterstock

For more glamorous moments inside the 2026 Met Gala, read on.

Arturo Holmes/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Rihanna, Heidi Klum & A$AP Rocky

The stars prove fashion’s biggest night isn’t that serious.

Bhavita Mandava/Instagram

LISA, JENNIE, Rosé, Jisoo, Margot Robbie, Ayo Edebiri, Gracie Abrams & Rachel Sennott

The A-list guests take a break from partying during the biggest night in fashion May 4 to pose for a star-studded bathroom mirror selfie at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman & Beyoncé

The 2026 co-chairs welcome guests to the party of the year.

Stephanie Augello/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Olivia Wilde & Katy Perry

About face. The singer reveals her true identity to the actress.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Russell Wilson & Ciara

The NFL star plants a smooch on the singer.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Tate McRae, Rosé & Connor Storrie

The stars bust a move on the dance floor.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Sabrina Carpenter & Stevie Nicks

The music icons hold hands for a stirring performance inside the gala.

Cindy Ord/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Kendall Jenner

The supermodel takes flight while touring the fashion exhibit.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Blake Lively & Anne Hathaway

The pair look like real-life princesses.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Zoe Kravitz, Lily-Rose Depp & Gracie Abrams

What’s the gossip? 

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Teyana Taylor & Connor Storrie

Getting heated! The actors hug it out while having a blast.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Rihanna, Ciara & Katy Perry

The chart-toppers are in synch inside the gala.

Cindy Ord/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Heidi Klum

Where’s Waldo? More like, “Where is the supermodel?”

Stephanie Augello/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Sabrina Carpenter

The singer clearly has “Taste” when it comes to what’s in fashion.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Kris Jenner & Stella McCartney

Reunited and it feels so good.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Sam Smith & Madonna

The music legends are in perfect harmony during the party.

Arturo Holmes/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Chase Sui Wonders, Maya Hawke, Patrick Schwarzenegger & Hailey Bieber

Talk about a talented foursome.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Lisa & Hudson Williams

When TV stars unite. The White Lotus actress and Heated Rivalry star strike a pose.

Instagram/Rachel Sennott

Rachel Sennott

The I Love LA star banks some BTS content for her fans.

Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Jisoo, Rosé, Lisa & Jennie of Blackpink

The K-Pop superstars reunite.

Instagram/Patrick Schwarzenegger

Patrick Schwarzenegger

The White Lotus star treats himself to a little dessert after a busy night.

Stephanie Augello/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Lena Dunham & Ben Platt

The BFFs fit right in among the fabulous ‘fits on display.

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