Beyoncé Named Co-Chair of the 2026 Met Gala

Photo by Kristopher Harris from Charlotte, NC, licensed under
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Vogue announced in December 2025 that Beyoncé will serve as a co-chair
of the 2026 Met Gala, returning to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum
of Art for the first time since 2016 — a ten-year absence that makes
her involvement one of the most anticipated moments of the fashion
calendar.

She joins Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and tennis icon Venus
Williams as co-chairs, alongside Anna Wintour, who has led the annual
event for decades, according to Billboard. The 2026 gala is scheduled
for May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, themed
'Costume Art' to spotlight the Costume Institute's spring exhibit on
body and fashion evolution. Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz lead the
Host Committee, joined by Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA (BLACKPINK),
Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, A'ja
Wilson, and Lena Dunham.

A Decade Away from the Steps

Beyoncé's last Met Gala appearance came in 2016, when she wore a
beaded, sheer Givenchy Haute Couture gown tied to the "Manus x
Machina" theme. In the years that followed, she was notably absent from
fashion's most high-profile evening. Her return — and in a leadership
capacity — has drawn considerable attention from both the fashion
industry and her global fan base.

Rolling Stone described her involvement as one of the most significant
announcements connected to the event in recent memory. The co-chair role
places her not just as an attendee but as one of the architects shaping
the tone and direction of the evening.

The Theme and Host Committee

The 2026 Met Gala theme, announced alongside the co-chairs, is "Costume
Art," tied to the Costume Institute's spring exhibition at the
Metropolitan Museum, according to USA Today. Designer Anthony Vaccarello
and actress Zoë Kravitz will lead the Host Committee as co-chairs.

The Host Committee includes an expansive roster of cultural figures:
Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA from BLACKPINK, Gwendoline Christie,
Misty Copeland, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, A'ja Wilson, Lena Dunham, and
others, per Vogue.

Cultural Significance

Beyoncé's presence as co-chair connects to a broader moment in her
career trajectory. The 35-time Grammy winner has spent recent years
expanding her influence across music, film, and fashion — most
recently through her Cowboy Carter album era and her ongoing
engagement with luxury and style.

Most recently, E! News reported that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos
were announced as honorary co-chairs of the event, adding to an already
high-profile lineup. The gala continues to draw a wide orbit of
entertainment, fashion, and business figures around its central figures.

References: Beyoncé Named Co-Chair of the 2026 Met Gala With Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams | Beyoncé Will Co-Chair the 2026 Met Gala With Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams | Beyoncé Is Co-Chairing the 2026 Met Gala. When Did She Last Attend?