Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu made her first appearance at the Met Gala in New York, describing the event as “big” as she joined celebrities and cultural figures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Liu attended the star-studded gala wearing a custom red gown designed by Louis Vuitton. The athlete said she was surprised by how widely she was recognised during the evening, reflecting on the growing attention she has received since winning Olympic gold.
Still adapting to her rising global profile, Liu spent the evening meeting guests and was later seen socialising with fellow attendee Connor Storrie.
This year’s gala transformed the museum’s Great Hall into a Northern Italian-inspired garden featuring floral installations, a suspended moon display and live harp performances. Guests greeted co-chairs, including Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour, while Beyoncé arrived later in the evening.
Celebrities including Zoë Kravitz, Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid, Hugh Jackman and Lindsey Vonn were seen interacting throughout the venue as guests were served gourmet snacks during the event.
The inclusion of billionaire Jeff Bezos as an honorary chair drew criticism from some observers. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton dismissed the concerns, saying influential business figures had long been associated with the gala.
Musician Jon Batiste attended as a guest alongside his wife, choosing to experience the event personally rather than perform.
The gala also focused on accessibility and inclusivity. Activist Sinéad Burke worked with organisers to improve access, while model Lauren Wasser called for broader diversity within the fashion industry beyond the annual event itself.
Later arrivals included Beyoncé and Jay-Z, while Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made one of the evening’s final high-profile appearances, sharing a light-hearted moment with Heidi Klum.
The annual Met Gala once again brought together fashion, entertainment and cultural discussion in one of the industry’s most prominent social events.
