Met Gala 2021 - live: Red carpet sees Cara Delevingne, Billie Eilish, Kim Kardashian and more stun viewers

Fashion’s biggest night has come and gone, with some of the most famous names making an appearance on the red carpet tonight at the 2021 Met Gala.

After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, the fashionable event returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with the theme: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” on 13 September.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Emily Ratajkowski, Kim Kardashian, Anna Wintour, Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish and a slew of other famous faces arrived and posed on the red carpet in glamorous and elaborate designs inspired by the theme.

However, a handful of celebrities announced they would not attend this year’s Met Gala, including Nicki Minaj, who said her absence was due to the event’s vaccine requirements. Other notable absences included Lady Gaga, Blake Lively, Zendaya, Billy Porter, and Harry Styles.

Meanwhile, police arrested multiple people after a large group of Black Lives Matter protestors demonstrated outside of the Met Gala.

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Key Points

• Who are the hosts of this year’s Met Gala?

• Best-dressed at the 2021 Met Gala

• Keke Palmer asks Brooklyn Beckham: ‘Where are you from?'

Kanye West may not have attended Met Gala after all

06:08 , Peony Hirwani

While there has been widespread speculation that the anonymous man appearing alongside a semi-incognito Kim Kardashian was Kanye West, there are now reports that the rapper didn’t in fact attend the event.

A source told E! News that the Donda singer was not present on Monday night.

The outlet reported the person attending alongside Kardashian was actually designer Demna Gvasalia, who is the creative director of Balenciaga.

“It was him (West) who introduced Kim to Demna and was instrumental in the newly formed relationship between her and Balenciaga,” the source said, adding that it’s a new fashion era for Kim.

“This look on Kim is like a new subculture and fashion statement. No logo, no face, but everyone knows it’s her.”

Nicki Minaj explains why she did not attend this year’s Met Gala

05:30 , Kate Ng

Nicki Minaj revealed that she would not attend this year’s high profile Met Gala event - because she isn’t vaccinated.

Minaj tweeted: “If I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe.”

Nicki Minaj won’t attend this year’s Met Gala because of vaccination requirements

Viewers complained as Vogue’s livestream plagued by glitches

05:00 , Kate Ng

More than 100,000 eager viewers were left waiting when Vogue’s livestream of the Met Gala, which was meant to begin at 5.30pm ET, didn’t start until 15 minutes later.

The livestream’s late kick-off, which saw viewers miss a glimpse at Anna Wintour’s first steps on the red carpet, was then made worse by glitching in the first few minutes.

The problems plaguing Vogue’s livestream continued as celebrities made their first appearances at the high fashion event, with Timothée Chalamet’s interview with Palmer nearly indecipherable due to glitching.

Get the full report:

Viewers complain as Vogue’s Met Gala stream plagued by mistakes

Keke Palmer asks Brooklyn Beckham where he is from during ‘awkward’ interview

04:30 , Kate Ng

Viewers of the 2021 Met Gala are expressing their discomfort over an “awkward” interview that took place between Brooklyn Beckham and host Keke Palmer.

When Beckham and his fiancée Nicola Peltz arrived at the top of the iconic stairs, Palmer appeared not to know who the 22-year-old was, with the host asking the son of David and Victoria Beckham where he is “from”.

Find out more:

The awkward Brooklyn Beckham moment at the Met Gala

ICYMI: Multiple arrests made as BLM protesters gather outside Met Gala

04:00 , Kate Ng

Police arrested multiple people after a large group of Black Lives Matter protestors began to demonstrate outside of the Met Gala.

In footage of the encounter shared to Twitter, officers can be heard yelling at members of the crowd to “back up,” while some protestors can be seen being detained.

Get the full report below:

Multiple arrests made as large crowd of BLM protesters gather outside Met Gala

03:54 , Chelsea Ritschel

While Rihanna ended up making a last-minute appearance on the red carpet alongside boyfriend A$AP Rocky - after the livestream had ended - there were many celebrities who did not materialise.

From Blake Lively to Lady Gaga, below are some of the biggest absences from this year’s Met Gala.

Viewers disappointed after Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and more not at Met Gala

ICYMI: AOC makes statement with ‘Tax The Rich’ gown

03:30 , Kate Ng

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made quite a statement with her 2021 Met Gala look, with the congresswoman arriving on the red carpet in a “tax the rich” gown.

On Monday, the 31-year-old politician arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for her first-ever Met Gala appearance in a white strapless gown by Brother Vellies, which featured the slogan emblazoned on the back in red.

Chelsea Ritschel has the details:

AOC makes a bold statement with her first-ever Met Gala gown

Recap: Who wore the best and most outrageous outfits at the 2021 Met Gala?

03:00 , Kate Ng

The 2021 Met Gala is now over, but we’ll be talking about all the outfits we saw tonight for days to come.

Olivia Petter has the recap on who the best-dressed celebs on the red carpet were tonight:

The best and most outrageous outfits at the Met Gala

Fans left disappointed Rihanna was a no-show at Met Gala

02:17 , Kate Ng

Rihanna’s outfits are usually a highlight of the Met Gala, but it appears that this year, she’s given the event a miss.

The Met Gala red carpet livestream on Vogue has now ended, with no sign of the Umbrella star to be seen.

Fans have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment at her absence:

Emily Ratajkowski arrives with Vera Wang

02:06 , Kate Ng

Model Emily Ratajkowski has arrived on the red carpet in a red lace gown with a billowy floral shoulder, alongside designer Vera Wang:

CL becomes first Korean star to attend Met Gala

02:00 , Kate Ng

South Korean rapper, singer and songwriter CL has appeared on the red carpet at the Met Gala, making her the first Korean pop star to do so:

Cara Delevigne: ‘Peg The Patriarchy'

01:55 , Kate Ng

Cara Delevigne has delivered a feminist message at this year’s Met Gala: “Peg The Patriarchy”:

Kim Kardashian arrives fully veiled in black

01:42 , Kate Ng

Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look tonight is a far cry from her iconic wet-look, dripping-in-diamonds outfit in 2019.

She arrived fully covered from head to toe in black Balenciaga, with her face covered as well.

Simone Biles’ dress takes six men to carry up the stairs

01:36 , Kate Ng

US gymnast Simone Biles is wearing an 88-pound gown that is so heavy, six men have to help her carry the train up the stairs at the Met Gala. Iconic:

Serena Williams ruffles feathers in Gucci cape

01:30 , Kate Ng

Serena Williams is wearing an elaborate silver bodysuit under a feathered Gucci cape and is joined on the carpet by husband Alexis Ohanian:

WATCH: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wears ‘Tax The Rich’ slogan

01:20 , Kate Ng

Megan Rapinoe carries ‘In Gay We Trust’ clutch

01:16 , Kate Ng

Footballer Megan Rapinoe has arrived at the Met Gala carrying a clutch with the words “In Gay We Trust”:

People are freaking out about Frank Ocean’s lime green ‘baby'

01:02 , Kate Ng

Frank Ocean didn’t come to the Met Gala alone tonight, instead toting along an animatronic lime green “baby” as his companion.

Ocean matched his hair with his baby, but it’s really the baby that people are finding it somewhat odd:

Multiple arrests made as large crowd of BLM protesters gather outside Met Gala

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:48 , Kate Ng

Police have arrested multiple people after a large group of Black Lives Matter protestors began to demonstrate outside of the Met Gala.

In footage of the encounter shared to Twitter, officers can be heard yelling at members of the crowd to “back up,” while some protestors can be seen being detained.

Chelsea Ritschel has more on the breaking story:

Multiple arrests made as large crowd of BLM protesters gather outside Met Gala

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wears ‘Tax The Rich’ gown

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:46 , Kate Ng

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has sent a message loud and clear at tonight’s Met Gala, with a “Tax The Rich” slogan splashed across the back of her dress:

Pete Davidson: ‘I’m a slutty nun tonight'

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:43 , Kate Ng

SNL’s Pete Davidson described his Met Gala look as a “slutty nun”, and we think that’s fairly apt:

Nicki Minaj not attending Met Gala this year due to vaccine requirements

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:30 , Kate Ng

Nicki Minaj has revealed that she won’t be attending this year’s high profile Met Gala event - because she isn’t vaccinated.

Minaj tweeted: “If I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe.”

My colleague Elizabeth Aubrey has more on this story:

Nicki Minaj won’t attend this year’s Met Gala because of vaccination requirements

Iman glows in grass halo and dress by Harris Reed

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:29 , Kate Ng

Iman is strutting down the red carpet in a huge grass halo and matching hoop skirts by Harris Reed, stunning fans along the way:

Maisie Williams brings goth girl chic to the red carpet

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:17 , Kate Ng

Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams is wearing a Thom Browne creation that brings out her inner goth girl with aplomb:

Self-confessed ‘horse girl’ Kim Petras wears horse-themed dress

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:15 , Kate Ng

Kim Petras has revealed she is the ultimate “horse girl” and is wearing her love for horses on her chest in a Collina Strada ensemble, with fans loving her costume tonight:

Jennifer Hudson sizzles in dramatic flame-red gown and cape

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:10 , Kate Ng

Jennifer Hudson made a dramatic entrance in a red-hot gown and cape with a train.

She also revealed to Keke Palmer that today is her 40th birthday!

All that glitters is gold with Lil Nas X

Tuesday 14 September 2021 00:02 , Kate Ng

Lil Nas X’s sparkly golden jumpsuit by Atelier Versace is dazzling in more ways than one – in fact, he served up three golden looks tonight:

Grimes accessorises with silver face mask and a sword

Monday 13 September 2021 23:58 , Kate Ng

In true Grimes fashion, the musician has arrived looking like an intergalactic supermodel, and Met Gala viewers are obsessed with her accessory choices - which include a silver face mask and a sword (because of course):

Billie Eilish stuns in classic Hollywood siren look by Oscar de la Renta

Monday 13 September 2021 23:50 , Kate Ng

We can’t get enough of Billie Eilish’s sweeping peach-hued Oscar de la Renta ballgown at the Met Gala tonight:

Watch her working the red carpet:

Barbie Ferreira drips in pearls on Met Gala red carpet

Monday 13 September 2021 23:43 , Kate Ng

Barbie Ferreira is serving Pearly Queen in her Area gown tonight:

Dan Levy wears globe-inspired custom outfit by Loewe

Monday 13 September 2021 23:36 , Kate Ng

Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy has arrived in arguably the most interesting menswear look of the evening.

His costume, featuring an embroidery of two men kissing over a map of the world and large puff sleeves, is a custom Loewe design. Check it out below:

Keke Palmer asks Brooklyn Beckham where he’s from

Monday 13 September 2021 23:28 , Kate Ng

Met Gala livestream host Keke Palmer asked David Beckham’s son, Brooklyn Beckham, where he was from while interviewing him on the red carpet.

Palmer was speaking to Beckham and his fiancée Nicola Peltz, who was wearing Valentino tonight – not Victoria Beckham...

Watch the moment below:

Viewers complain about quality of Vogue Met Gala livestream

Monday 13 September 2021 23:20 , Kate Ng

The Met Gala livestream on Vogue’s Twitter account has encountered a few glitches, and people have noticed...

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney reps equal rights amendment

Monday 13 September 2021 23:07 , Kate Ng

US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is wearing a dress with the slogan “Equal Rights For Women” draped over her shoulders at the Met Gala.

This is not the first time the 75-year-old politician has made a statement at the event – at the 2019 Met Gala, she wore an official FDNY jacket to raise awareness for the 9-11 Victims Compensation Fund.

Get a load of her literal statement piece this year:

Anna Wintour arrives in Oscar de la Renta

Monday 13 September 2021 22:49 , Kate Ng

The Vogue queen herself, Anna Wintour, has arrived at the Met Gala in a floral Oscar de la Renta gown:

Keke Palmer arrives in Sergio Hudson gown

Monday 13 September 2021 22:42 , Kate Ng

Keke Palmer looks like a dream on the red carpet in this slinky, sparkly number by Sergio Hudson:

This year’s best-dressed stars at the Met Gala

Monday 13 September 2021 22:30 , Kate Ng

The stars are already making their appearances, starting with Ilana Glazer, Emma Chamberlain, and Lisa Love.

Our resident fashion expert Olivia Petter will keep you updated on the best-dressed celebrities tonight below:

The best and most outrageous outfits at the Met Gala

Monday 13 September 2021 22:19 , Kate Ng

Us in 10 minutes’ time:

First look at the Met Gala ahead of celeb arrivals

Monday 13 September 2021 22:08 , Kate Ng

NYC-based fashion journalist Laurie Brookins has tweeted a video of the first look at the Met Gala, before celebs and designers make their appearances.

Who isn’t attending the Met Gala?

Monday 13 September 2021 22:00 , Kate Ng

A few stalwarts of the Met Gala have said they will not be attending the event, including Zendaya and Kylie Jenner.

Who else won’t be attending this year? Chelsea Ritschel has the latest:

Kylie Jenner, Zendaya and more won’t be going to the Met Gala

Meme artist Saint Hoax to attend Met Gala as first-ever ‘Meme Correspondent’

Monday 13 September 2021 21:55 , Kate Ng

The meme-ification of the Met Gala is set to get turned up a notch with meme artist Saint Hoax attending the event as the first-ever “Meme Correspondent”.

The artist is especially well-known for their Instagram account, where they post about politics, pop culture, and everything in between.

How to watch the Met Gala live

Monday 13 September 2021 21:50 , Kate Ng

Ladies (and gentlepeople). Start your engines, because the Met Gala is kicking off in T-minus 30 minutes.

Find out how to watch the event live:

How to watch this year’s Met Gala live

How did Rihanna feel about her iconic 2015 Met Gala costume?

Monday 13 September 2021 21:45 , Kate Ng

It was the cape gown that spawned thousands of memes and was one of the highlights during the 2015 Met Gala – but Rihanna said she felt like it was “too much”.

The singer opened up about her pre-red carpet anxiety, but we’re so glad she pulled the legendary look off in the end.

My colleague Chelsea Ritschel reports:

Rihanna says she felt like a 'clown' at 2015 Met Gala

Kim Kardashian teases her costume for this year’s Met Gala

Monday 13 September 2021 21:36 , Kate Ng

Kim Kardashian has teased her costume for this year’s Met Gala on Instagram.

The KUWTK star posted several historical looks from her Met Gala appearances over the years to her Instagram Stories, hinting at what she might be wearing to this year’s event.

Elizabeth Audrey has the details:

Kim Kardashian teases costume for Met Gala with look back at outfits of the past

The most controversial Met Gala themes of all time

Monday 13 September 2021 21:30 , Kate Ng

While we wait with bated breath for the red carpet to roll out, my colleague Sabrina Barr takes us down memory lane with the most controversial Met Gala themes of all time:

5 unexpected rules guests must follow at the Met Gala

The top celebrity fashion stylists you need to follow

Monday 13 September 2021 21:22 , Kate Ng

When the Met Gala begins, all eyes will be on the celebrities – and who they’re wearing.

We’re expecting to see some stunning looks, put together by fashion titans who have been responsible for some of the most talked-about fashion moments of our generation.

Katie O’Malley has the rundown of the best celebrity fashion stylists you should be following:

11 celebrity fashion stylists you need to follow for the Met Gala 2021

Who is attending the Met Gala?

Monday 13 September 2021 21:12 , Kate Ng

As we gear up for the return of the most highly-anticipated event in the sartorial calendar, the question on everybody’s lips is: who will be there?

We can only speculate until the event kicks off, but here’s everything we know so far:

Who is attending the Met Gala and how do they get an invite?

This year’s Met Gala hosts

Monday 13 September 2021 21:01 , Elizabeth Aubrey

Every year, a tradition at the most high-profile event on the fashion calendar is that a number of designers and celebrities are selected to co-chair the event alongside American Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

For 2019, Wintour selected singer Lady Gaga, tennis champion Serena Williams, singer Harry Styles and Gucci designer Alessandro Michelle as her co-chairs.

This year’s hosts are actor Timothée Chalamet, musician Billie Eilish, poet Amanda Gorman, and tennis star Naomi Osaka, while honorary chairs are Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri, and Wintour.

You can read more about this year’s hosts here:

Who is hosting this year’s Met Gala?

Monday 13 September 2021 20:41 , Chelsea Ritschel

Tonight’s event will focus on the theme: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”

For more details about what fashion fans can expect to see on the red carpet, read more below.

What time is the Met Gala and what is this year’s theme?