When it comes to fashion‘s biggest night, the cameras typically stay outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, keeping what goes on inside the Met Gala mostly exclusive to only those invited.
Guests must abide by the event’s no-phone policy once inside the museum; however, with that many high-profile stars in one room, there’s likely going to be some leaks in the age of social media — and there have been plenty over the years (the iconic Met Gala bathroom selfies, iykyk).
But more recently, Vogue has started to offer its own small glimpses inside the glitzy event, allowing a few cameras to capture photos. And there’s no doubt that at least one guest will become another rule-breaker this year and share a peek at what goes on inside. Below, The Hollywood Reporter is highlighting some of the top moments from inside the Met Gala that have made it to social media.
Sabrina Carpenter and Stevie Nicks Shut Down the Stage With Performances
While the Met Gala is known for the fashion, there’s always a surprise musical moment inside that gets the A-list guests up and dancing. In the past, Ariana Grande, Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber have all entertained attendees with their hit songs.
This year, it looks like Grammy winner Sabrina Carpenter, coming off her headlining Coachella performance, is the artist gifting her stunning vocals to those invited. Videos posted on X from inside the event show the “Espresso” singer — who also served on this year’s host committee — wearing a colorful outfit on the stage in front of the Met’s Temple of Dendur, and later a fringed golden dress.
Per Vogue, she performed some of her biggest hits, including “House Tour,” “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please.” Stevie Nicks later took to the stage to perform “Gypsy” and “Edge of Seventeen,” as well as “Landslide” and “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” with Carpenter.
A-Listers Mix and Mingle
Once inside, before guests take their seats, celebs have the opportunity to browse the new exhibition — this year it’s “Costume Art” — before it debuts to the public on May 10. While looking at the new pieces, they also get the chance to catch up, gossip and have a laugh with fellow industry creatives.
Then the real party starts (as seen in photos below) once attendees find their seat — that’s been carefully curated — in the room surrounding the Met’s Temple of Dendur.
Sache Taylor, Vogue’s director of special events, previously shared, “We spend a great deal of time thinking about who is sitting next to whom — ideally pairing people who will have an immediate connection, or perhaps discover they have more in common than they realized.” Taylor added that it’s important for them to make sure “everyone has a good view of the stage” and are not sitting next to a “former flame.”
Co-chairs Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman and Beyoncé speak on stage at the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Lauren Sánchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Zoë Kravitz, Lily-Rose Depp and Gracie Abrams inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Rosé and Lisa inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Tate McRae, Rosé, Teyana Taylor and Connor Storrie inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Rihanna, Heidi Klum and A$AP Rocky inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Arturo Holmes/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Colman Domingo, Michael Braun, Kris Jenner, Anne Hathaway, Stella McCartney and Greta Gerwig inside the 2026 Met Gala.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Celebs Munch on a Northern Italian Gardens-Inspired Dinner
This year, the decor inside the museum, designed by Raúl Àvila and Derek McLane, was inspired by the design of Northern Italian gardens. The catered dinner from Olivier Cheng Catering and Events also followed the same concept, as the celebrity guests will be enjoying a burrata appetizer, a rack of lamb with morel panna cotta, Parmesan gnocchi, asparagus, carrots, spring peas and mint, and three different dessert dishes, according to Vogue.
Though outsiders won’t get a taste of the curated three-course meal themselves, maybe they’ll get a secret food review from one of the guests, similar to what Megan Thee Stallion did last year. I guess you’ll have to stay tuned.
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The dress code for the 2026 Met Gala was “Fashion Is Art,” while this year’s exhibition, “Costume Art,” examined “the centrality of the dressed body throughout time and culture, juxtaposing garments and works of art from across the Museum’s vast collection to create pairings that highlight the indivisible connection between clothing and the body,” according to the official descriptions.
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour served as this year’s co-chairs, while Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos were the honorary chairs.
See all the Met Gala looks here, and catch up on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Met Gala coverage here.
