Why Beyoncé Will Attend the Met Gala for the First Time in 10 Years

Beyoncé is officially returning to the Met steps.

On December 10, Vogue announced that the Grammy-winning superstar will serve as co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala, joining Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. Next year’s fashion celebration will honor the Costume Institute exhibition titled “Costume Art.”

After ten years away, Beyoncé is making a grand return to the Met Gala next year, and she's not just attending—she's serving as a co-chair. Fashion history is about to be made.

This marks Beyoncé’s first Met Gala appearance since 2016, when she attended the “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” gala wearing a custom Givenchy Couture latex gown. That year she walked the carpet solo, though husband Jay-Z accompanied her to the 2015 gala for “China: Through the Looking Glass.”
The couple also appeared together in 2014 and 2011, while Beyoncé made solo appearances in 2013, 2012, and 2008.

Why Beyoncé Will Be Attending Met Gala For The First Time In 10 Years - YouTube

Meanwhile, her fellow co-chairs are no strangers to fashion’s biggest night. Nicole Kidman has attended the Met Gala multiple times, including in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2016, 2005, and 2003. Tennis icon Venus Williams also graced the carpet in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, and 2008.

Last year’s Met Gala honored “Super Fine Tailoring: Black Style” with A$AP Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour serving as co-chairs, alongside honorary chair LeBron James.

Access Hollywood caught up with Venus Williams at the 2025 gala, where she broke down her striking emerald Lacoste look — complete with a sculptural alligator shoulder piece and Josephine Baker–inspired hair.

Met Gala 2026: Beyonce to Co-Chair with Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams

“We brainstorm. It takes months,” Venus shared. “We understood the mission. We knew we had to get it right.”

Her outfit also honored fashion legends and personal heritage, including references to André Leon Talley and the signature braids she and sister Serena Williams wore early in their careers.

But perhaps the most surprising detail?

Beyoncé Returns to Met Gala for First Time in 10 Years as 2026 Co-Chair
Serena didn’t even get a sneak peek.

“She doesn’t know,” Venus laughed. “We always text each other our designs — but this is the one year we didn’t.”

With Beyoncé returning as co-chair and a theme centered on artistic fashion history, the 2026 Met Gala is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in years.