Beyoncé Proclaims Cowboy Carter Is Over at the 2026 Met Gala

Her gown features a rhinestone - embellished skeleton

May 5, 2026

Image may contain Beyonc Joseph Mendes Anja Nissen Nickola Shreli Beyonc Person Adult Wedding Accessories and Bag

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

It’s time to bid so long and fare thee well to Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé has hit the 2026 Met Gala red carpet, and a new era is incoming. As one of the evening’s co-chairs, the appearance of Beyoncé (and her family!) on the Met steps has been long-awaited and discussed. Though she’s a seven-time attendee, we haven’t seen her since 2016’s "Manus x Machina Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

Tonight, her skin tone and diamond skeleton gown come with a long, feather-embellished train. Her golden hair is crimped to perfection and topped off with a sun-shaped crown.

Speculation surrounds Beyoncé’s appearance tonight. Some have suggested that her appearance will be the beginning of the long-awaited “Act III,” which is rumoured to be a rock album. It started with some out-of-the-ordinary social activity - usual posts, references to archival clips - and now, the world waits.

Beyoncé loves a surprise. And so do we! We will be waiting.

Beyonce’s Past Met Gala Appearances