Heidi Klum Shows Behind-the-Scenes Moments of Her Living Statue Look for the 2026 Met Gala
Heidi Klum Makes a Dramatic Entrance at the 2026 Met Gala
Heidi Klum dazzled attendees at the 2026 Met Gala with an extraordinary transformation into a living statue, inspired by the renowned 1847 sculpture, Veiled Vestal by Raffaele Monti. The event took place on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, showcasing the theme “Costume Art.”
Klum, 52, provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her elaborate preparation via Instagram on May 5. In the video, she arrived at a studio as her FX team began the meticulous process of applying prosthetics for her custom ensemble designed by Mike Marino. "This year’s Met Gala theme is ‘Costume Art,’" Klum remarked, showcasing how the artists crafted her look.
The application of makeup and prosthetics was a lengthy endeavor, involving the gluing of artificial pieces to enhance her transformation. Marino explained that the team initiated the process by conducting a 3-D scan of Klum’s entire body, which served as a foundational guide for sculpting the intricate design. "Based on that scan, we sculpt the design with all the folds and fabric," he noted, likening their advanced techniques to those used by classical artists.
As part of the preparation, Klum lightheartedly shared moments of getting her hands painted and joked, “I have to get my nails done. Chop, chop, chop. Normally, I don’t have nails that short.”
The creative team even injected humor into the process, with Marino feeding Klum a burger while she was still in the makeup chair. Klum later wrapped herself in plastic to ensure a smoother application of her costume. “I already look gorgeous,” she exclaimed, admiring her reflection in the costume, which she called a “piece of fine art, reimagined in motion.”
In concluding the video, Klum stepped out of her sprinter van, ready to pose on the red carpet. "It all starts with a vision," she captioned her post, expressing gratitude for the collaboration that turned her ambitious concept into reality. “There is nothing I love more than creative collaboration with true artists who worked tirelessly… Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🤍."
This year’s Met Gala not only highlighted Klum’s artistic expression but also featured a plethora of bold interpretations of the "Costume Art" theme, underlining the event’s longstanding tradition of awe-inspiring fashion statements.
