“134K Viewers.” I stare down at my laptop screen, enthralled by the magnitude of people waiting on the livestream for the event to begin. The camera pans over the lustrous cream-colored steps of the Met, buzzing with the press and executives dressed in elegant black gowns and tuxedos. I glance back down to see that the number of viewers has increased to 150,000, and in a flash, the screen cuts to someone with a microphone in their hand. I quickly realize it is none other than the vivacious Keke Palmer, who is a vision in a sparkling, full-length black and gold sheath gown by custom-wear designer Sergio Hudson. Given her cue, she smiles and jumps into a monologue, giving the audience a hearty welcome to the newly-returned 2021 Met Gala. The evening has officially begun.
Since its conception in the late 1940s, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Met Gala has amassed a remarkable level of prestige within the fashion community, having evolved to become one of the most anticipated and renowned nights in contemporary fashion. In its infancy, the evening was dedicated to inviting New York’s elite to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit, attracting wealthy socialites and members of the fashion industry to a dinner each year to raise money for the museum. Nowadays, however, the event has transformed into somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. What was once an event that cost just $50 to attend is now a gleaming present-day display of opulence within America’s highbrow society of celebrities, not only providing guests and designers the opportunity to express their artistic visions through their carefully-curated ensembles, but also to interact with some of of the most well-known individuals of our age. Receiving an invite to the gala — now an astounding cost of $30,000 to attend — not only grants one a status many dream of having, but is one that many covet year after year.
This year, the event garnered much controversy surrounding one particular aspect: the appearance of several of Gen-Z’s most noteworthy YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram influencers on the Met Gala carpet. Upon seeing Addison Rae, Emma Chamberlain, and Dixie D’Amelio at the event, news outlets and social media users were ablaze with conversation surrounding chairman Anna Wintour’s decision to invite the younger stars to the gala, questioning if they deserved to be at an event of such high caliber. Much of Gen-Z’s own youth had opinions on the debate, turning to online platforms such as TikTok and Twitter to argue their stances on the topic. While some argued that influencers did not deserve to be at the event at all, the most likes, retweets, and shares stemmed from those that shared their views that Gen-Z influencers did deserve to be there considering their extensive sphere of influence, but that it was simply a matter of who.
Addison Rae and Dixie D’Amelio, for example, were among those that received incredible amounts of backlash for their presence at the gala. Media critics argued that their careers centered around posting short-form TikTok content were not up-to-par with the other influentials invited by Wintour, who have led more traditionally sophisticated and impactful careers up to date. They attributed both the creators’ rise to fame as the ultimate byproducts of “pretty privilege” and inherited affluence, both frivolous in nature and lacking in depth. These conclusions, however, were ones that have been drawn many times by critics of the influencers, and despite the initial lack of maturity in their online content, Rae and D’Amelio arrived and carried themselves with grace. Their ensembles were surprisingly aligned with the theme of “America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” paying tribute to iconic Hollywood-starlets Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. D’Amelio, especially, donned a particularly chic reinterpretation of Hepburn’s iconic look in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, wearing a crepe black Valentino mini dress, with white satin gloves, and a large, feathery headpiece — an homage to Hepburn’s own in the film.
Chamberlain, on the other hand, was praised from the moment she stepped foot on to the carpet. Having kept her attendance a secret from her online following, the star received an outpour of support from her fans and loved ones as they watched her take one of the most monumental steps in her career to date. She has built up a dedicated viewership over the years, many watching her since she was in high school posting clothing hauls and videos about her favorite items from the dollar store. It was no surprise that countless comments from viewers on her social media divulged that they felt as if they were watching their friend attend the event. Chamberlain has taken on this comfortable role for many, sharing her experiences on dealing with overcoming social anxiety, impostor syndrome, career burnout, the intense pressure of social media, and more. Her casual and humble demeanor is also a regular feature in her videos, denouncing the shock that many people experienced when learning how successful she truly is.
At just 20 years old, the creator has gained nearly 11 million subscribers on her Youtube channel, started a podcast called “Everything Goes”, founded her own coffee company Chamberlain Coffee, and is a brand ambassador for one of the most luxurious brands of all time, Louis Vuitton. Chamberlain has also been a revolutionary in terms of the fashion world, creating and inspiring trends within Gen-Z since she was 15 years old. The star’s brand is one that has relied on the shock factor of her fame, and this event was no exception. Social media users expressed their pride for the online mogul, marveling at how Vogue featuring her getting ready for the gala on their YouTube channel, and appointed her to interview many A-List celebrities and designers such as Donatella Versace and Olympian Suni Lee throughout the night — a clear guest of value in their eyes.
While reactions to the influencers’ inclusion varied, this year’s Met Gala was a surefire indicator of the popularity that technology and social media stars have gained over the past 10 years, challenging public perceptions of what it means to be a celebrity in today’s age. Content creators such as Emma Chamberlain, Addison Rae, and Dixie D’Amelio now have millions following their every move, and possess a massive hold on the younger, digital generation. Many of the youth consider them on the same level as our parents did Madonna and The Backstreet Boys. The same is true for a handful of other younger celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet and Billie Eilish, who were chosen by Wintour to be co-hosts of this year’s gala. In encouraging the inclusion of these individuals at grand-scale events, a new era emerges that will forever change how society views and defines the modern celebrity. After all, it is a known fact that controversy has been a main driver in enacting lasting change in society, and there is no doubt that it will remain a key player in the fashion and entertainment industries for generations to come.