Towards the end of the 2024 Met Gala, fans were waiting patiently to see if Rihanna would show up and officially reveal her baby bump after stepping out in a two-piece outfit earlier that day. And they kept waiting. And waiting.
Luckily, Rihanna did make it worth the wait, showing up about an hour after the red carpet ended, around 10:00 p.m. in a Marc Jacobs bustier and suit ensemble that made her pregnancy unmissable.
No one was surprised at her (Vogue-sanctioned) late arrival, however, because her reputation precedes her. Rihanna is known for shutting down the red carpet every time she attends, well after the second-to-last guest has arrived.
Her show-stopping arrival left us with logistical questions, though: Did the couple miss out on the seated dinner? Did they mingle with stars inside before the night’s end? And, of course, did their tardiness go against Met Gala etiquette?
The answer to the latter is no. Vogue maven Anna Wintour, who has co-chaired the glamorous function since 1995, previously noted in her 73 Questions interview with the outlet that the “Umbrella” singer (and technically the rapper by association) is the exception to the rule.
When asked who is allowed to show up late for a Met Gala red carpet, Wintour answered, “Rihanna.”
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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” on May 1, 2023 in New York City.
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As for the other inquiries, those might be answered with a “maybe.” According to NBC New York, guests trickle into the Metropolitan Museum of Art for cocktails at 6 p.m. That lasts for a couple of hours until the seated dinner, which is scheduled for around 8 p.m. Last night’s red carpet live stream went until about 9 p.m. as a few red carpet stragglers trickled in (and likely rushed straight to dinner).
Since her debut in 2007, there have been only a few times when Rihanna’s made a prompt appearance, such as in 2018, the year she was one of the co-chairs for the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” theme. Otherwise, let’s just say the carpet is on Rihanna-time.
Read ahead to see which Met Galas the cosmetics mogul pulled up to fashionably late — and the looks that were worth the build-up.
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Rihanna attends the 2025 Met Gala
As one of the night’s co-chairs, A$AP Rocky had already made his way into the event, but not before telling reporters that they were enjoying all the well-wishes on Baby No. 3. “It feels amazing, you know. It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ‘cause we definitely happy, you know.”
Rihanna showcased her bump in a bustier and skirt suit, plus a hat and spectator pumps, designed by Marc Jacobs. The New York Times reported that she shouted back “Thank you!” to people offering their congratulations, and joked with the patiently waiting photographers, “I can barely wink but I’ll do it for you.”
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At around 10 p.m. — four hours after the red carpet began — the “Rude Boy” singer and “A$AP Forever” rapper took the famous steps in Valentino and Gucci respectively.
Always one to take up space on the carpet with the most architectural of looks, Rihanna arrived in a head-to-toe white outfit featuring what could be considered a large-scale balaclava covered in white camellia appliqués. She also wore cat eye sunglasses with massive fanned-out faux eyelashes.
Rihanna’s headpiece was then transformed into a shawl draped around her elbows. Underneath the piece was a billowing white gown that showed off her growing bump. She also wore pearl necklaces and fingerless leather gloves.
A$AP Rocky strayed away from the norm, clad in a tartan kilt over rhinestone-accented jeans and teamed with four belts. He paid homage to Lagerfeld in a black blazer, leather tie and sunglasses, all sartorial items that were a part of the designer’s uniform.
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At 10 p.m. this year as well, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their Met Gala couple debut after red-carpet hours. The carpet opened at 5:30 p.m. and closed at 9 p.m., per The Cut and Vogue respectively, making the couple way, way late.
Rihanna again proved to be the queen of custom dressing, wearing an oversized sculptural coat dress and over 267 carats of Bulgari jewels, plus a Thelma West ring and Maria Tash earrings.
Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky bundled up in a multi-color quilted blanket.
Met Gala 2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”
One of the most iconic Met Gala looks to date came out of 2015. While proving to be another end-of-carpet moment, Rihanna’s lateness was forgivable all thanks to her show-stopping ensemble —an extravagant bright-yellow creation by Chinese couture designer Guo Pei.
The dress’ fur-trimmed and flower-patterned train flowed down the stairs effortlessly for that wow factor expected of a red-carpet finale.
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