Beyoncé, Kidman, Venus to Lead 2026 Met Gala/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Beyoncé, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The star-studded event supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and will tie into the “Costume Art” exhibit. The show will explore fashion’s link to art through the centuries.
Met Gala 2026 Quick Looks:
- Beyoncé, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman to co-chair 2026 Met Gala.
- Anna Wintour continues longtime leadership of the annual event.
- “Costume Art” is the official theme of the upcoming gala.
- Venus follows sister Serena, who co-chaired in 2018.
- Beyoncé was an honorary chair in 2013.
- Kidman returns as co-chair after 2003 and 2005.
- Host committee includes Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, and Zoë Kravitz.
- Exhibit explores the dressed body in historical and artistic contexts.
- The show will debut in newly renovated 12,000-square-foot gallery.
- “Costume Art” opens to the public May 10, 2026.
Deep Look
Beyoncé, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman Tapped as 2026 Met Gala Co-Chairs
NEW YORK — A power-packed lineup of stars will lead the 2026 Met Gala, with Beyoncé, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman named as co-chairs for the event, joining fashion icon and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, generating buzz months ahead of the high-fashion fundraiser scheduled for May 4.
The annual gala is one of the most watched cultural events in the world, blending celebrity, fashion, and art while raising money for the museum’s Costume Institute. Last year, the event hit a record high, raising $31 million.
The upcoming gala will coincide with the opening of the Costume Institute’s newest exhibit, titled “Costume Art,” which will explore how clothing and the human form have been portrayed across centuries of art and design.
A Celebrated Lineup of Co-Chairs
Each of the three celebrity co-chairs brings a legacy of cultural influence:
- Beyoncé, who previously served as an honorary chair in 2013, is one of the most influential musicians and style icons of her generation.
- Venus Williams, making her debut as a Met Gala host, follows in the footsteps of her sister Serena, who co-chaired the event in 2018.
- Nicole Kidman returns after having co-chaired the gala twice before, in 2003 and 2005, and continues to be a red carpet favorite and award-winning actress.
Wintour, who has been at the helm of the event for decades, remains the driving force behind its enduring prestige and fashion-forward identity.
Host Committee Brings Cross-Industry Star Power
The Met also unveiled a diverse and star-studded gala host committee. Chaired by designer Anthony Vaccarello and actress and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz, the committee includes a dynamic mix of artists, musicians, athletes, and fashion personalities:
- Musicians: Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA (of BLACKPINK), Sam Smith, Yseult
- Dancers and performers: Misty Copeland
- Actors: Teyana Taylor, Elizabeth Debicki, Gwendoline Christie, Lena Dunham
- Athletes: A’ja Wilson, WNBA champion
- Models: Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, Lauren Wasser
- Art and media figures: Artist Anna Weyant, Vogue editor Chloe Malle
“Costume Art”: A Fusion of Fashion and Fine Art
The central theme for the 2026 gala, “Costume Art,” mirrors the Costume Institute’s next major exhibit, which aims to highlight the historical and artistic intersections of fashion. The exhibit, curated by Andrew Bolton, will explore how the human body has been styled and interpreted through the ages.
The show will be structured around various interpretations of the body, including themes like:
- The Naked Body
- The Classical Body
- The Pregnant Body
- The Aging Body
“This is a show that can really live in fascinating ways at the museum and can pull from all different areas of our collection — paintings, sculpture, drawings,” said museum CEO and director Max Hollein.
A New Home for Fashion at The Met
Adding to the significance of this year’s event, the “Costume Art” exhibit will inaugurate a brand-new gallery space. Located just off the museum’s Great Hall, the 12,000-square-foot Conde M. Nast galleries will serve as the new permanent home for all future spring exhibitions curated by the Costume Institute. The space was converted from the museum’s former retail store, allowing for greater visitor access and smoother flow through one of the Met’s most visited exhibits.
The new galleries reflect fashion’s rising status in both museum and cultural contexts, with Bolton calling the moment “a pivotal one for the department.”
Venus Williams Returns to the Spotlight
Venus Williams, who returned to competitive tennis in July at age 45 after an extended hiatus, has also been in the headlines for her enduring athleticism and cultural impact. Her role as a Met Gala co-chair adds yet another layer to her already trailblazing career.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams recently dispelled rumors of a tennis comeback, stating she had no plans to return to the professional tour.
Exhibit Dates and Gala Timing
The Met Gala will be held on May 4, 2026, with the “Costume Art” exhibit opening to the public shortly after, on May 10, 2026. The exhibit will run through January 10, 2027, offering an extended opportunity for art, fashion, and design enthusiasts to explore the intersection of body, identity, and aesthetics across history.
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