After Sarah Jessica Parker Spoke About The Importance Of The Met Gala Theme, Here Are Some Celebs Who Do Or Don't Stick To The Theme

James Corden has attended more Met Galas than Zendaya.

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Earlier this week, Met Gala vet Sarah Jessica Parker told Vogue all about the importance of actually following the darn theme on the red carpet. “It would be so easy to find a beautiful dress to wear that night, like, that would be a great relief, like going on vacation!” she joked. “But that is not the assignment. The assignment is the theme.”

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"I’m like, ‘How do you not arrive exhausted by the details of getting it right?’ All these people came together and worked really really hard to put together an extraordinary exhibit."

So, what does following the theme mean? Inspired by SJP's words, I've created my own criteria for what this means:

1. Has a reference to the theme: I mean duh, but there are hours of debate that can happen on this topic alone. Was Kim K's 2021 Balenciaga look really a take on American fashion? IS IT CAMP????

2. Displays high levels of design and craftsmanship: I mean, this is a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. 

3. Probably would not be worn on any other red carpet: This is more for the men who wear a black tux every year than it is for more avant-garde artists who pull it out the bag every red carpet. 

So here are some celebs that love to follow the theme — as well as some who take it a bit more loosely:

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1. Follows the theme: Rihanna

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, John Shearer / Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter, Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

Where do I even begin? Rihanna has served the most iconic Met Gala looks of all time, we know that! She dressed as the Pope! She could wear blankets for every Met Gala for the next thousand years and she'd still be on this list! Well, I probably wouldn't be around to update it in that case, but still!

2. Doesn't follow the theme: Shawn Mendes

John Shearer / Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter, Neilson Barnard / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images

These suits are from 2018, 2019, and 2021 — but they're rather interchangeable. Arguably all three of the motifs in these looks — two-toned, no shirt, and some sparkle — were evident in Shawn's Paul Smith suit at the 2019 AMAs.

3. Follows the theme: Zendaya

Karwai Tang / Getty Images, Jamie Mccarthy / FilmMagic / Getty Images, Noam Galai / Getty Images for New York Magazine

Zendaya even went full Coconut Head for "Manus x Machina" and pulled it off.

4. Doesn't follow the theme: Sofia Vergara

Kevin Mazur / WireImage, Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, Jamie Mccarthy / FilmMagic

Yes, Sofia looks lovely in a strapless floor-length gown — and these dresses are certainly indicative of the silhouette Sofia favors. The most on the mark is her 2012 Marchesa look for "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" — perhaps tying into the "surreal body" component of the exhibition — but I'd argue that it would have been slightly better suited for "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," or, like, another red carpet.

5. Follows the theme: Blake Lively

Taylor Hill / Getty Images, Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images, Daniele Venturelli / FilmMagic

Now, I'll admit that Blake's earlier looks weren't always the most 10/10 — but her dress has even matched the red carpet on multiple years! What a gal!

6. Doesn't follow the theme: Jimmy Fallon

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When the theme is "man in a suit," Jimmy will (presumably) get very excited.

7. Follows the theme: Janelle Monae

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images, Kevin Mazur / WireImage

Gosh, so many great Janelle moments. The eye that literally blinked on her Christian Sirano dress for the "Camp" theme! The Marc Jacobs hat that made her look like a saint for "Heavenly" Bodies! That massive princess gown for "The Art of the In Between"!

8. Doesn't follow the theme: James Corden

Karwai Tang / FilmMagic, Karwai Tang / WireImage, Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

James Corden has been to the Met Gala SEVEN TIMES and has worn a black suit EVERY TIME.

9. Follows the theme: Cardi B

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue, Frazer Harrison / FilmMagic

Cardi has only been to two Met Galas, but she's been a heavyweight both times — quite literally, as her 2019 Thom Browne look needed 10 people to get it down the red carpet. 

10. Doesn't follow the theme: Bradley Cooper

Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images, Dia Dipasupil / WireImage, Larry Busacca / Getty Images

Alright, we are beginning to see a bit of a theme (lol) emerge here with men and their plain suits. I just think Bradley is notable as he was a co-chair of the Met Gala in 2014.

11. Follows the theme: Obviously, Sarah Jessica Parker

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I would say that SJP's biggest miss was the Hamilton-inspired suit she wore for the 2016 "Manus X Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology" theme, but she's one step ahead of me — she even responded to a commenter by writing, "The understanding of man and machine, how they intersect, when and why is what we considered. Perhaps you weren't aware of the technology used in the details and embellishments of the design." WELL THEN.

What are some of your fave Met Gala looks? LMK in the comments!

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