Melissa Rivers Ranks the Most Unfashionable Looks from Met Gala 2026: Katy Perry’s ‘Heat Shield,’ Sam Smith’s ‘Grim Geisha,’ and Others
Melissa Rivers Reveals 2026 Met Gala’s Most Disappointing Fashion Moments
Fashion commentator and television personality Melissa Rivers has unveiled her annual critique of the Met Gala, spotlighting the most puzzling outfits from the 2026 event, which took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Rivers shared her selections for the "worst dressed" of the night, using her signature wit to critique some standout styles. One of the most notable looks was worn by Janelle Monáe, who donned a custom couture creation by Christian Siriano that prominently featured live moss and electrical wires. Rivers remarked, “It looked like arts and crafts. And it’s supposed to be nature taking over art … it’s supposed to be a whole thing that is so far above my pay grade to understand.”
Another outfit that failed to impress Rivers was worn by Sam Smith, who, along with their partner and designer Christian Cowan, showcased a dramatic ensemble adorned with over 230,000 crystals and beads. Rivers humorously described Smith as looking "like the Grim Geisha," further stating, “like the Geisha of Death coming at you.”
Heidi Klum’s outfit, while fitting for the extravagant theme of the Met Gala, garnered mixed reviews from Rivers. She quipped that it was a design that could be repurposed for her upcoming Halloween party. Klum, who collaborated with her longstanding makeup artist Mike Marino for the sculptural look, appeared as a lifelike statue.
Rivers did not hold back when discussing Lena Dunham’s choice of attire, a custom red Valentino gown, which she found unappealing. “It just didn’t work for me, and she’s such on a professional high right now. I was just like, ‘No, no, please, no,’” Rivers expressed. She also noted the gown’s suitability for only taller individuals, saying, “You had to be tall in that dress.”
Additionally, Rivers critiqued Katy Perry’s white off-the-shoulder gown by Stella McCartney, humorously commenting on the burnt appearance of the gown’s train, likening it to a failed space trip.
For fashion enthusiasts, Rivers is set to delve deeper into Met Gala fashion on an upcoming episode of her podcast, “Melissa Rivers Group Text.”
