As the 2025 Met Gala unfolded on May 5, a night renowned for its extravagant fashion and celebrity appearances, the event delivered a mix of glamour, humor, and unexpected moments. Among the stars making headlines were rapper Doechii, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, and pop sensation Katy Perry, each leaving their unique mark on the iconic red carpet.
Doechii, who attended the gala in a stunning Louis Vuitton suit she collaborated on with Pharrell Williams, found herself in the spotlight for a different reason. A clip circulating on TikTok captured the moment she was seen yelling at her team to hide her outfit from the prying eyes of paparazzi. The rapper was spotted attempting to shield herself under a makeshift box made from a clothing rack as she exited The Mark Hotel.
"I'm ready. No, stop. Give me another umbrella now — and another. I need more f------ umbrellas," Doechii could be heard demanding as she prepared for the event. Two days later, on May 7, she took to Instagram Stories to address the incident, poking fun at herself with a video where she laughed and remarked, "God forbid a girl needs more umbrellas ☂️😂." Despite the chaos, Doechii expressed pride in her glam team and the Louis Vuitton collaboration, stating, "We've been dreaming about this Met for a long time and the theme this year is in such alignment with who I am and what I stand for. It's nothing but God that this year was our debut."
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan, affectionately known as "King Khan," made his much-anticipated Met Gala debut alongside renowned Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. The 59-year-old Bollywood superstar donned an all-black ensemble featuring a floor-length coat made from Tasmanian superfine wool, complete with monogrammed Japanese horn buttons, a crepe de chine silk shirt, and tailored trousers.
As he prepared to step onto the blue carpet, Khan shared his nerves with Vogue’s livestream co-hosts Ego Nwodim and Teyana Taylor. "I don't know about history, but I'm extremely nervous," he admitted. He also expressed excitement for his children, who were thrilled about his attendance. Sabyasachi highlighted Khan's fame, noting, "Shah Rukh Khan is probably one of the most famous men in the world, and his fan following is legendary. We nearly had a stampede outside the hotel when he came out." However, the mood shifted when fans noticed that some interviewers seemed unaware of Khan's immense popularity, prompting disappointment across social media.
In a statement to the New York Times, a Vogue representative clarified that Nwodim had indeed acknowledged Khan's significance during the livestream, but many viewers felt the moment fell short of capturing his status. This incident sparked online discussions, with content creator Jeremy Franco expressing disbelief that interviewers did not recognize Khan's influence, stating in a viral video, "They didn't know who Shah Rukh Khan is?!? The carpet was lucky he walked on it!"
Shah Rukh Khan's illustrious career spans nearly three decades and includes over 80 films, making him a household name not just in India but across the globe. He has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2005 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007. Time magazine recognized him as one of the world’s most influential people in 2023, and he was recently named the fourth richest actor globally by Esquire Australia.
In another surprising twist, Katy Perry found herself at the center of an A.I.-generated hoax for the second consecutive year. As the Met Gala commenced, images of Perry in a stunning outfit began circulating online, leading many fans to believe she was present at the event. However, Perry was not in attendance, as she is currently on her Lifetimes World Tour. In response to the viral post, Perry commented, "Couldn’t make it to the MET, I’m on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston tomorrow IRL)."
Last year, a similar incident occurred when an A.I.-generated image of Perry at the Met Gala fooled many, including her own mother. This year, the singer's absence and the ensuing confusion highlighted the growing influence of technology in shaping public perception. Perry's recent tour has also faced scrutiny, with early reviews criticizing her use of A.I. imagery in video backdrops. After receiving feedback, Perry replaced the A.I.-generated visuals with live shots of her audience at subsequent performances.
As the Met Gala continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide, it remains a platform for both celebration and controversy. From Doechii's humorous escapades to Shah Rukh Khan's celebrated debut and Katy Perry's A.I. mishap, the event showcased the complexities of modern celebrity culture. With each passing year, the Met Gala not only highlights fashion but also reflects the evolving relationship between celebrities and their audiences in an age dominated by social media and digital technology.
As the dust settles from this year's gala, one thing is clear: the Met Gala remains a stage where fashion, fame, and the unexpected collide, leaving fans eager for what next year's event will bring.
