For the first time in ten years, Beyoncé is stepping back onto fashion’s most-watched carpet—the iconic Met Gala steps. Vogue confirmed on December 10th that the 32-time Grammy winner will serve as a co-chair for the 2026 Met Gala, joining an all-star panel that includes Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The upcoming gala will celebrate the Costume Institute’s highly anticipated exhibition, “Costume Art.”
Beyoncé’s return marks a significant moment for fans and the fashion world. Her last Met Gala appearance was in 2016, when she stunned in a custom Givenchy Couture look at the Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology theme. That year, she walked the carpet solo, but her Met Gala history runs deep. She attended with husband Jay-Z in 2015, when the theme was China: Through the Looking Glass, and again in 2014 and 2011. She also made solo appearances in 2013, 2012, and 2008, delivering some of the most memorable fashion moments of the early 2010s.
While Beyoncé has kept her distance from the event over the past decade, her return as co-chair signals a major cultural moment. The Met Gala has become a global showcase of artistry, cultural commentary, and celebrity influence—an arena Beyoncé has long shaped through music, visuals, and fashion iconography.
Nicole Kidman & Venus Williams: Returning With Style
Beyoncé won’t be the only familiar face in a leadership role. Nicole Kidman, who has become a regular on the Met steps during the last few years, returns after attending in 2025, 2024, and 2023, as well as her earlier appearances in 2016, 2005, and 2003. Kidman’s presence often blends Hollywood elegance with bold couture narratives—an ideal fit for this year’s artistic theme.
Tennis legend Venus Williams is also returning as co-chair, fresh off her appearances in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, and 2008. Last year, Access Hollywood spoke with her about her emerald Lacoste look, which featured elaborate references—from Josephine Baker-inspired hair to a cape honoring fashion icon André Leon Talley. Venus shared that she and designer Louise Trotter spent months crafting the green-hued creation.
“It meant so much to us to get it right,” Venus said at the time. “You don’t want to walk out here and get it wrong and not pay honor.”
Her dedication to detail reflects the spirit of the Met Gala—an evening where fashion becomes storytelling.
In a fun twist, Venus admitted she didn’t show her sister Serena Williams her 2025 look ahead of time, breaking their usual tradition of sending each other design previews. “This is the one year we didn’t,” she laughed. “She’ll have to see me tonight.”
A New Era for the Met Gala
The Met Gala continues to expand its cultural reach every year. In 2025, the event celebrated “super fine tailoring and Black style,” with co-chairs including A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. The honorary chair was NBA legend LeBron James.
With Beyoncé now part of the 2026 leadership, industry watchers expect a powerful blend of art, couture, storytelling, and global influence. Her return is more than an appearance—it’s a cultural milestone likely to define the gala’s legacy for years to come.
