Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) talent took center stage at the 2026 Met Gala, with a wide range of figures across sports, music, film and fashion delivering some of the night’s most talked-about appearances.
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka and freestyle skier Eileen Gu were among the standout athletes on the red carpet.
Naomi Osaka arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Osaka embraced the “Fashion Is Art” theme with a dramatic white sculptural hat and matching coat dress featuring architectural shoulders, hidden closures and a cape-like train, accented with wisps of red feathers. Beneath the outer layer, she later revealed a fitted red gown with a lace-up back and intricate crystal embroidery that required thousands of hours of handwork, paired with sheer opera gloves and statement jewelry.
Eileen Gu arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Gu, long recognized for her presence in luxury fashion campaigns, arrived in one of the evening’s most conceptually ambitious designs. Working with designer Iris van Herpen and artistic duo A.A. Murakami, Gu wore the “Airo” dress, a sculptural piece composed of approximately 15,000 hand-formed iridescent glass bubbles.
Alysa Liu arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Liu made a bold impression in a blood-red custom Louis Vuitton gown, defined by its voluminous full skirt and oversized cascading ruffles. The dramatic silhouette, evoking both movement and structure, referenced her athletic form while aligning with the gala’s focus on the body as artistic inspiration.
EJAE arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Singer-songwriter EJAE, jazz-pop artist Laufey, Grammy winner Anderson .Paak and rapper Audrey Nuna brought musical flair to the evening. K-pop star Karina also drew attention with a futuristic look aligned with her group’s concept-driven aesthetic.
The night also marked a milestone for Blackpink, as members Lisa, Rosé, Jennie and Jisoo all attended the gala in the same year for the first time. Lisa, who served on the host committee, wore an avant-garde custom look featuring sculptural elements modeled after her own arms. Rosé opted for a Saint Laurent gown inspired by archival motifs, while Jennie appeared in a Chanel design adorned with thousands of metallic details. Jisoo, attending for the first time, wore a Dior ensemble and spoke of her excitement at joining her bandmates inside the event.
Actor Ahn Hyo-seop and model-actress Jung Ho-yeon represented Korean talent in film and television. They were joined by actress Chase Sui Wonders and producer Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo, highlighting a growing AAPI presence in Hollywood storytelling.
Designers Alexander Wang, Vera Wang, Dao Yi Chow and Grace Ling attended both as guests and creative forces behind many of the evening’s looks.
Broadcaster and fashion personality Alexa Chung and philanthropist Sudha Reddy rounded out the group, representing media and global business leadership. Actor and producer Dwayne Johnson also attended.
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