Ariana Grande Met Gala: 2024 Highlights & 2025 Absence
Ariana Grande Met Gala: 2024 Highlights & 2025 Absence
When Ariana Grande steps onto the Met Gala red carpet, she doesn’t just attend—she creates a moment that merges music, fashion, and performance art. The pop superstar, known for her four‑octave voice and signature high ponytail, has made only two appearances at fashion’s most exclusive night (2018 and 2024), yet both became cultural talking points. Each time, she delivered a carefully crafted vision that reflected her personal journey, professional milestones, and the year’s Met Gala theme.
This guide dives deep into every detail of her Met Gala history, from debut to performance, symbolism to styling, and the reasons behind her notable absence in 2025.
Quick Biography Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ariana Grande‑Butera |
| Birthdate | June 26, 1993 |
| Birthplace | Boca Raton, Florida, USA |
| Professions | Singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman |
| Career Breakthrough | Victorious (Nickelodeon, 2010) |
| Albums | Yours Truly, Sweetener, Thank U, Next, Positions, Eternal Sunshine |
| Major Films | Hairspray Live!, Don’t Look Up, Wicked (as Glinda) |
| Business Ventures | Founder of R.E.M. Beauty |
| Met Gala Appearances | 2018, 2024 |
Ariana Grande’s Met Gala Timeline
| Year | Theme | Designer | Look Highlight | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination | Vera Wang | Gown printed with Sistine Chapel fresco | Attendee |
| 2024 | Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion (The Garden of Time) | Loewe | Iridescent mother‑of‑pearl bustier gown | Attendee + Performer |
| 2025 | — | — | — | Absent |
2018: The Heavenly Debut
Ariana’s first Met Gala appearance was in 2018 for the theme Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination. She wore a custom Vera Wang ball gown featuring printed imagery from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco “The Last Judgment.”
Key Details:
- Design Symbolism: The gown’s Renaissance art referenced themes of divinity and beauty, mirroring the Gala’s Catholic imagination concept.
- Accessories: A massive cream organza bow framed her head like a halo.
- Hair & Makeup: Neutral tones, winged eyeliner, and her signature ponytail kept the look modern yet ethereal.
- Impact: Critics praised the gown as a perfect marriage of theme and artistry.
Ariana Grande Met Gala 2024
Ariana Grande made a triumphant return to the Met Gala red carpet in May 2024, marking her second-ever appearance and first since 2018. The theme that year, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” inspired her ethereal, magical aesthetic.
Grande arrived wearing a custom white Loewe gown by designer Jonathan Anderson, featuring a stunning mother-of-pearl corset bodice and a flowing silk chiffon skirt with hidden pastel hues – a subtle nod to her upcoming role as Glinda in Wicked .
She complemented the look with 3-D petal appliqué “wings” at her temples, custom Lorraine Schwartz diamond‑opal earrings, sleek ponytail, and refined makeup – all contributing to an otherworldly fairy‑like presence on the carpet .
Ariana Grande Met Gala Dress 2024
Design Inspiration
- The pearlescent bodice reflected Grande’s birthstone and symbolized beauty emerging from unexpected places, aligning with the gala theme of transformation and renewal .
- Aesthetic references included Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Primavera, evoking classical feminine grace and the mystique of nature .
- Hidden pastel pink and green underlayers subtly referenced Glinda’s bubble in Wicked, making the gown deeply personal and thematic .
Ari’s Own Reflection
Grande described it as “my favorite thing I’ve ever worn,” expressing emotional connection to every detail, from the fabric to the symbolism and craftsmanship .
“It’s My Favorite Thing I’ve Ever Worn”: Ariana Grande Talks Her 2024 Met Gala Looks
During the Vogue-hosted red carpet livestream with La La Anthony, Ariana revealed her deep excitement about collaborating with Jonathan Anderson, praising his innovative use of materials and artistic vision.
She said:
“Pearl is my birthstone… the subtle ways it nods to Glinda’s bubble… capturing the beautiful energy of the world around.” .
When she transitioned to her performance look (see below), Ari added that donning a John Galliano-designed Maison Margiela couture for the show brought her to tears. The tulle overlay, crystals, and fairy‑inspired silhouette made her feel like a living artwork.
How Grande Got Ready for the 2024 Met Gala
Preparation was highly intentional and collaborative:
- She chose Loewe for her red carpet gown, trusting Jonathan Anderson’s experimental approach.
- Hairstyling and makeup incorporated Ariana’s own R.E.M. Beauty products; makeup artist Michael Anthony designed the celestial 3‑D petal wings .
- Jewelry: Bespoke Lorraine Schwartz earrings and diamond rings coordinated to reflect the pearl theme and Glinda motifs .
- The look was purposefully tied to Wicked’s visual story, with Cynthia Erivo arriving in a coordinating suit-themed look by Thom Browne to accompany Ariana on the carpet .
Grande described emotional rehearsals and fittings, including weeping upon seeing Galliano’s performance costume sketch come to life: “I’ve never felt more beautiful or more ‘me’ in a performance look than I did in this one”.
Ariana Grande Met Gala Big Dress
Though not oversized like some Met silhouettes, Ariana’s 2024 gown carried its own kind of grandeur:
- A structured bodice and dramatic, hand‑pleated chiffon skirt in multiple layers created volume and movement.
- The surprise of pastel underlayers gave it a sensual reveal when she moved, marrying formality with softness.
- Grande’s attachment to this piece made it feel larger than life in emotional scale, not just physical proportions.
Ariana Grande Met Gala Grey
While Ariana never wore a grey outfit to the Met Gala, grey tones were subtly implied through the iridescent mother-of-pearl, which reflected shades of silver, pale blue, and muted grays depending on light. This connection to grey gave her gown a spectral, timeless quality that stands out in gala visuals.
Ariana Grande Met Gala 2025
Absence and Context
Ariana did not attend the Met Gala in 2025. Her absence was noted especially because some of her Wicked co‑stars, like Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum, did appear .
Reason Ariana Grande Skipped the 2025 Met Gala
While Ariana has not publicly detailed a specific reason:
- Sources suggest she opted for a low-profile approach after releasing her Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead album and short film, focusing instead on her upcoming Wicked: For Good premiere and a more introspective creative period .
- She has spoken about shedding her “pop star character” to reveal the person behind the persona, hinting that a flamboyant fashion event may not have fit her current artistic path .
Ariana Grande Met Gala Dress 2025
Because Ariana skipped the event, there is no publicly documented 2025 look for her. Fans speculated: if she had attended, her ensemble would likely have referenced the upcoming Wicked film, continuing her pink/glinda motif theme seen in prior press events.
Ariana’s Met Gala Style DNA
| Element | Signature Ariana Twist |
|---|---|
| Hairstyle | High ponytail, sometimes themed (Glinda blonde in 2024) |
| Symbolism | Deep personal references—birthstones, roles, art history |
| Designers | Loyal to select visionaries (Vera Wang, Loewe, Margiela) |
| Makeup | Always tied to R.E.M. Beauty |
| Themes | Blends fantasy, elegance, and modern pop culture |
Cultural Impact
- Fashion Media: Vogue, Elle, and Teen Vogue all ranked her 2024 look among the night’s best.
- Fan Response: Social media erupted, with hashtags like #AriMetGala trending worldwide.
- Performance Legacy: One of the few Met Gala performances remembered for both its theatricality and emotional resonance.
FAQs About Ariana Grande Met Gala
How many times has Ariana Grande attended the Met Gala?
She has attended twice—first in 2018 and again in 2024. She did not attend in 2025.
What was Ariana Grande’s outfit at the 2024 Met Gala?
A custom Loewe gown with a mother-of-pearl corset and silk chiffon skirt. The pastel underlayers nodded to her Wicked role as Glinda.
Did Ariana Grande perform at the Met Gala?
Yes, she opened the gala with a performance wearing a green, crystal-embellished Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano alongside Cynthia Erivo.
Why did Ariana Grande skip the 2025 Met Gala?
While not officially stated, she chose a low-profile period focused on her deluxe album and her role in Wicked: For Good, feeling the gala may not suit her current artistic direction .
Did her 2024 dress have a special meaning?
Definitely—pearl as her birthstone, nods to Glinda, and metaphors about unexpected beauty made it deeply personal. Grande called it her favorite thing she’s ever worn .
Conclusion
Ariana Grande’s Met Gala appearances may be few, but they are masterclasses in thematic dressing and cultural storytelling. In 2018, she embodied celestial grandeur; in 2024, she became a living daydream. Whether she attends again or not, her Met Gala legacy is already etched into pop‑culture history.
