TheMet Galais known for cutting-edge fashion — but sometimes, the focus shifts from the glitz and glamour to unexpected controversial moments.
From a streaker crashing the event to celebrities participating in illegal activities on the Metropolitan Museum of Art premises, there have been numerous controversies at the star-studded gala over the years.
In 2014,Jay-ZandSolange Knowlesfought in an elevatorafter the Met Gala, which has since become one of the most talked-about pop culture moments in history (and inspired multiple song lyrics).
Most recently,Kim Kardashiandonned the original Jean Louis gown worn byMarilyn Monroeduring her iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performance toPresident John F. Kennedyin 1962. After side-by-side photos circulated on social media, many speculated that Kardashianhad permanently damagedthe gown — which both the reality star and the museum which lent it to her have denied.
Here's everything to know about the biggest Met Gala controversies in history.
Kim Kardashian in Marilyn Monroe’s gown
At the 2022 Met Gala, Kardashian's attire sparked one of the most polarizing controversies in the event's history.
The SKIMS founder arrived in the original Jean Louis gown worn by Monroe during her iconic "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performance in 1962. The dress was lent to her by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, whichpurchased the dress from Julien's Auctionin November 2016 for $4.81 million.
Kardashian faced significant backlash for revealing she had to lose a significant amount of weight to fit into the garment.
"I tried it on and it didn't fit me. I said, 'Give me three weeks.' I had to lose 16 pounds down today," Kardashian toldVoguecorrespondentLa La Anthonyon the red carpet.
The public became even more outraged when side-by-side photos circulated on social media, leading many to speculate that Kim had permanently damaged the fragile silk soufflé fabric.
However, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! released a statement denying any damage. Kardashian later denied harming the garment in a November 2025Vanity Fairlie detector videowith herAll's FaircostarTeyana Taylor.
Solange and Jay-Z’s elevator fight
The 2014 Met Gala remains etched in pop culture history — not just for the red carpet fashion, but for the dramatic footage of Jay-Z and Solange fighting in The Standard hotel elevator following an afterparty at the Boom Boom Room in New York City.
Leaked security video footage showed Solange in an intense physical altercation with her brother-in-law while his wife,Beyoncé, looked on. The clips immediately went viral, sparking global speculation about what could have prompted such a violent altercation between the family members.
A source later told PEOPLE that Solange had been “provoked” by fashion designerRachel Roy, with whom she had spoken to earlier that evening.
"Toward the end of the night,Jay said something inappropriate to Beyoncé and Solange, and [Solange] snapped," the insider said. "When they got in the elevator, it escalated quickly the way family tensions can. It got exceptionally heated the way family moments can."
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In the wake of the footage going viral, the trio released a rare joint statement to theAssociated Pressto address the "unfortunate incident," emphasizing that they had worked through the matter privately. "Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred," the family stated, adding that they had "apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family."
They were also quick to shut down rumors regarding Solange's state of mind, noting, "The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false."
In the years since, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have spoken about the fight, the former most famously doing so on her 2016Lemonadealbum.
She nodded to the drama in her "Flawless" remix, singing, "Of course sometimes s--- go down when it’s a billion dollars on an elevator."
Meanwhile, Jay-Z shed light on his and Solange’s relationship in a 2017 interview withRap Radarhosts Elliott Wilson and Brian "B.Dot" Miller.
"We had one disagreement ever. Before and after we’ve been cool,” he said. “She’s like my sister ... I will protect her. That’s my sister, not my sister-in-law."
Streaker crashing the red carpet
The 2014 Met Gala also began with a bizarre security breach on the red carpet.
Vitalii Sediuk, an infamous serial prankster known for targeting major celebrity events, attempted to crash the gala wearing nothing but a pink mankini and a gold chain. The streaker managed to dodge several security guards, darting onto the iconic steps before being tackled and escorted off the premises.
Despite the brief chaos he caused on the red carpet, the event proceeded without further disruption. The moment was caught on camera by dozens of confused photographers, quickly becoming a viral moment.
Celebs illegally smoking cigarettes in the bathroom
At the 2017 Met Gala, a group of A-list stars turned a Metropolitan Museum of Art bathroom into an impromptu smoking lounge — and the moment was publicly criticized.
Celebrities posted photos from the bathroom smoke session, withBella Hadid,Dakota JohnsonandMarc Jacobsamong those seen lounging on the floor and lighting up cigarettes.
The behavior quickly drew the ire of museum donors and board members for their disregard for the museum’s strict non-smoking policy and the potential risk the smoke posed to the priceless art collections, perPage Six. Additionally, the New York City Department of Health issued a reminder that smoking indoors is a violation of the city's Smoke-Free Air Act, which carries fines for both smokers and venues.
“This spectacular event awes us all,” Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett wrote in a letter to the museum’s senior vice president, perBusiness Insider. “We were dismayed to read reports that some celebrities chose smoking as their fashion accessory and flagrantly violated New York City’s smoking laws.”
The museum responded to the letter acknowledging the violation “by a small number of guests” and said it will “take steps to ensure this does not happen again.”
Read the original article onPeople
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