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Rihanna Closes Out Met Gala in Dress With Over 115,000 Jewels
It took an incredible amount of work, work, work, work, work to achieve Rihanna's jaw-dropping Met Gala 2026 hairdo.
In fact, the singer's longtime hairstylist Yusef Williams took this year's dress code "Fashion Is Art" quite literally when he came up with the inspiration behind his client's jeweled curls and golden threaded crown.
"We leaned into the idea of a living sculpture," Williams told British Vogue moments after the singer's arrival to the May 4 fundraiser at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The hair had to complete the look, not compete with it." (See every fashion look at the Met Gala 2026 here.)
And complimenting Rihanna's sculptural Margiela by Glenn Martens couture gown—which featured a corset with over 115,000 crystal beads—meant incorporating 40 handcrafted wire curls that were painted gold into the 38-year-old's hair with the help of luxury accessories designer Jennifer Behr.
"We kept it sleek and intentional, then reimagined vintage gold wire pin curls in a modern way, so it felt like a nod to history without looking costume," Williams explained. "The hair was slicked tight to the head, with metal finger waves placed on top like a crown."
The metal details gave the Savage X Fenty designer the illusion of gold hair and further accented the ensemble's overall industrial vibe.
As Williams noted, "It was all about matching the sculptural feel of the outfit and staying aligned with the team’s vision; strong, timeless, and intentional from every angle."
And, because Rihanna's hair was such a focal point of the outfit, Williams reached for True Indian Hair Company’s True HD Lace RTW Collection Ava wig for the iconic red carpet moment.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
"Using an HD lace front gave us a seamless blend and install, while offering versatility and natural movement, while still allowing for structure," he told Vogue, "which was needed given added gold wire pin curls."
All that time and planning certainly paid off as Rihanna shined bright like a diamond on the Met Gala staircase alongside partner A$AP Rocky like only the "Umbrella" singer can.
For the date night, the rapper—dad to kids RZA, 3, Riot, 2, and Rocki, 7 months, with the singer—rocked a custom Chanel by Matthieu Blazy look that consisted of a bubblegum pink wool robe with black satin lapels, black trousers and dress shoes with a small, apple-shaped bag in his hands.
Keep reading to see Rihanna and A$AP and more celebrity couples on the Met Gala red carpet.
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Rihanna & A$AP Rocky
RiRi shone bright in 115,000 crystal beads thanks to her custom Maison Margiela design, while her partner was bundled up in flamingo pink Chanel.
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Jay-Z & Beyoncé
The first couple of music turned the bling up a notch at the 2026 Met Gala—and brought along eldest daughter Blue Ivy Carter, 14, for her debut.
While Bey stunned in a custom Olivier Rousteing skeleton dress, her husband was suave in Louis Vuitton and Blue was radiant in Balenciaga.
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Evan Spiegel & Miranda Kerr
The Snap CEO and KORA Organics cosmetics founder were clad in Dior for their date night.
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Steph Curry & Ayesha Curry
The NBA star does appreciate a glitzy date night, though he quipped there is something he'd rather be doing.
“On one hand, I love it,” Steph exclusively told Zuri Hall during Live From E!: Met Gala 2026 about the Met Gala. “On the other hand, that means I'm not playing basketball right now.”
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Russell Wilson & Ciara
All hail our royal couple, as the NFL player and singer were gilded with glamour.
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Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union
The NBA star let his lady shine on the steps of the Met—literally, as they both wore Tiffany & Co.
“It's my job to never be in a way,” Dwyane exclusively told Zuri Hall during Live From E!: Met Gala 2026. “She's the star.”
“She's the north star when it comes to this carpet thing,” he noted. “So it's my job just to compliment and get out the way.”
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Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster
The Broadway stars made their Met Gala debut as a couple.
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Adrien Brody & Georgina Chapman
The couple stunned in golden and silver accents.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor
The Night at the Museum star and his wife were in for a much calmer museum evening than he's used to.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral & Marcello Hernández
The Saturday Night Live star and his better half were a vision in all black look.
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Suleika Jaouad & Jon Batiste
The Grammy winner, wearing custom ERL, placed a sweet kiss on his wife's cheek.
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Christian Cowan & Sam Smith
The "Stay With Me" singer's Met Gala look was designed, naturally, by their partner, who stood at Sam's side.
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Rebecca Hall & Morgan Spector
The husband and wife duo coordinated their all-black looks.
Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Bee Carrozzini & Francesco Carrozzini
The daughter of Anna Wintour posed alongside her husband on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's front steps.
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Venus Williams & Andrea Preti
One of the evening's co-chairs wore custom Swarvoski while her husband aced his look in a black tuxedo at her side.
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John Lithgow & Mary Yeager
The Conclave star was all smiles alongside his wife.
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