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