The 'Dune' actress returned to the Met Gala after a five-year hiatus.
Zendaya, the queen of fashion surprises, returned to the Met Gala after a five-year hiatus, leaving jaws dropping and cameras flashing with her sensational ensemble.
As co-chair alongside industry heavyweights Anna Wintour, Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lopez, the Euphoria star effortlessly reclaimed her throne on the red carpet.
Zendaya, known for her fearless fashion choices, left attendees and fans alike in suspense as she arrived at the gala without a predetermined dress. Despite the meticulous planning typical of such high-profile events, her longtime stylist, Law Roach, revealed to the New York Times that the dress was only made shortly before the event.
"I haven't seen Zendaya’s dress," Roach revealed. "We've been on two press tours -- Dune 2 and Challengers -- and doing two Vogue covers. The dress isn't even made. They won't fit until Saturday."
With the Met Gala's theme centered around "The Garden of Time," Zendaya embraced the challenge with characteristic flair, bringing a touch of fashion fantasy to the red carpet. Despite the tight timeline, her ensemble was nothing short of spectacular.
The Emmy Award-winning actress has Roach to thank in large part for putting her on the map in the fashion world and orchestrating her themed outfits for her press tours. During her recent Dune: Part 2 and Challengers events, the star and her style confidante wowed crowds around the world with her sci-fi and tennis-inspired fits, respectively.
As it was pointed out online, Zendaya's look is also a brilliant reinterpretation of an ensemble worn by actress Suzanne Von Aichinger from the Dior 1999 show.
At one point during the promotion for the latter of the two films, the fashion duo paid homage to Serena and Venus Williams' 1998 Vogue shoot.
The talked-about press tour looks have only led to more excitement from fans who are waiting with bated breath to see Zendaya's interpretation of this year's Met Gala theme, "The Garden of Time," in conjunction with the museum's "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit. The pair will have their work cut out for them in order to top their 2019 Cinderella and Fairy Godmother look for the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme. The pre-pandemic appearance was Zendaya's last time at the Met Gala.
"I haven't been to The Met for quite a few years now," Zendaya said during an appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark. "So I'm coming back, I'm a little bit nervous."
The co-chair gig for the Spider-Man: No Way Home star comes on the heels of Challengers' April 26 release in theaters, which garnered rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. For her portrayal of Tashi Duncan -- tennis prodigy turned coach and manager -- she is already receiving 2025 Oscar buzz.
Throughout the press tour, Zendaya spoke with ET about everything from what it was like watching her steamy scenes with her parents to how she felt having Serena and Venus both watch her pick up a tennis racket for the movie.
"She was like, 'I know there definitely weren't real [tennis] balls," Zendaya revealed of Serena's reaction to Challengers. "She knows. She's the best of the best."
Zendaya continued, "She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before."
Entertainment Tonight will be on the iconic Met Gala red carpet, so keep checking back with ETonline for more coverage from fashion's biggest night, including live updates and all of the jaw-dropping red carpet looks.
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