Whether you love or dislike celebrity culture, the Met Gala is undeniably a spectacle. For those not completely jaded, it’s a chance to witness the biggest stars take their most audacious fashion risks of the year. Unlike typical award shows, the Met Gala encourages outrageous styles and avant-garde creativity. Even if you find it superficial, you can still chuckle at how Ed Sheeran's outfit resembles something straight out of High School Musical 3.
This year, however, the Met Gala became a test for authenticity.
“Katy Perry. That’s it,” one post declared on X, accompanied by a striking image of Perry in a massive gown adorned with three-dimensional floral appliqués. The pearlescent dress flows dramatically to the ground, transitioning into realistic moss that spills onto a beige and red carpet.
Katy Perry. That's it. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/OT51H6wJ9i— javi (@jxries) May 6, 2024
At first glance, one could easily mistake this whimsical, woodland-inspired gown as Perry’s real attire for fashion's grand night. However, a closer look reveals a discrepancy—the carpet was actually white and green as part of the “Garden of Time” theme, not beige and red. This detail highlights that the viral image of Perry is, in fact, fake. Despite its inauthenticity, it has garnered over 10 million views and 300,000 likes.
Shortly after, another user on X shared an image of Perry again, showing her with slightly parted lips, seemingly surprised by paparazzi. She wore a bronze corset that resembled a garden key. This time, the palette aligned with this year's gala, yet something felt off. The floral skirt appeared awkwardly superimposed onto her figure, and the lighting on her corset looked unnatural.
So how can you spot a fake versus an unusual photo? Notably, no fashion publication reported on Katy Perry’s appearance, indicating that she likely didn’t attend this year. Interestingly, Perry did like both viral posts without offering any clarification on the misleading images.
Katy Perry looks absolutely gorgeous on #MetGala 2024. pic.twitter.com/Nm6UFnCAvI— kauán (@wanthatoo) May 6, 2024
Every Met Gala, Rihanna consistently stands out as one of the best dressed. Leading up to this year's event, she assured fans that she'd arrive promptly, a departure from her usual tardy entrance. She even dyed her hair pink for the occasion.
An early image showcased Rihanna in a regal, garden-themed gown, featuring sculptural balloon sleeves adorned with birds, vines, and flowers. However, despite its 2.6 million views, this image was also fabricated. Remember, she dyed her hair pink! In reality, she was absent from the event due to an illness, confirming that she was indeed not present.
The fallout from a fake photo of Rihanna is minor, but considering her history of executing the Met Gala theme flawlessly, would she really opt for a basic floral gown for the “Garden of Time” celebration? Similar to AI-generated deepfakes of popular music, these artificial looks missed the mark, lacking the inventive spirit that defines the Met Gala. Could AI truly replicate Cynthia Erivo’s striking suit or Lana Del Rey’s eerie-woodsy aesthetic?
Rihanna attends The 2024 #MetGala #MetGala2024 pic.twitter.com/bO0QqmxWkD— ✨ (@tereluprados) May 6, 2024
Zendaya, an early contender for best dressed, dazzled in a blue-green outfit reminiscent of a chic fairytale villain. When a photo emerged of her later clad in a black leather gown and floral headpiece, I braced myself for yet another false image. The truth turned out to be stranger: after a five-year hiatus from the gala, Zendaya actually made two appearances in distinct outfits.
Each new celebrity photo prompted viewers to scrutinize carpet patterns, floral arrangements, and the authenticity of the paparazzi in the background. Typically, the Met Gala offers a diversion, allowing us to discuss celebrities' extravagant outfits on a mundane Monday night. Yet in an era dominated by generative AI tools, celebrity culture serves as a poignant reminder that not everything we see online is genuine.
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