Rihanna knows how things are done on the red carpet. From her Met Gala debut in a breathtaking white Georges Chakra gown to debuting her baby bump in a custom Marc Jacobs suit last year, the singer has somehow managed to raise the bar with every appearance at the Met Gala event. Unsurprisingly, each of her Met Gala looks becomes one of the most talked-about moments on social media, sparking reactions from both seasoned critics and casual viewers alike.

Ahead of the over-the-top evening this year, here are some of her most iconic Met Gala looks, which were loved as well as debated.

Rihanna’s most talked-about outfits, not just at the Met Gala but across all her red carpet appearances, include the famous 'pizza' dress, which sparked a wave of memes on social media. She wore a bright yellow 55lb gown by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, complete with a dramatic 16-foot train. She wore a gorgeous golden headpiece that matched the intricate embroidery on her gown. 

What truly fueled the memes, however, was the sweeping train, which many thought resembled the base of a pizza. The internet quickly ran with the idea, photoshopping toppings onto it. Later, Rihanna revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that she had been so nervous about wearing the gown that she drove past the venue three times before finally stepping out. Despite her initial hesitation and the internet’s playful reactions, she ultimately felt confident in her choice.

"I don't regret it," she said.

Another one of her most talked-about Met Gala appearances came in 2018. For the Met Gala theme, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Rihanna wore a papal mitre paired with a strapless mini dress, along with a matching robe from Maison Margiela Artisanal. While the look was praised for its grandeur and boldness, it also drew criticism from some who felt it was disrespectful to the Catholic religion.

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This brings the conversation to this year’s Met Gala theme and what celebrity guests, including Rihanna, could probably explore for the evening.

The theme of the Met Gala 2026 is Fashion Is Art, which was earlier revealed by Vogue on February 23 this year. With this concept, celebrities and fashion designers may draw inspiration from iconic art movements and artists, whether it is Impressionism, the Renaissance, or modern art. The possibilities are vast.

And since the theme encourages experimentation and storytelling, there is plenty of room for surprises. For the Met Gala 2024 theme, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, Doja Cat made headlines in a sheer, wet-look T-shirt dress. And if the past few years have shown anything, it is that celebrities and fashion designers always find ways to surprise, and this year will likely be no different, especially when it comes to Rihanna.

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