Arrivals to the star-studded Met Gala begin at 6:00 pm | Upper East Site
Arrivals to the star-studded Met Gala begin at 6:00 pm | Upper East Site

The Star-Studded Met Gala is Tonight on the Upper East Side

Following two days of heavy rains, crews from Flemington Department Store spent the morning rolling out the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where in just hours, the museum will transform into the star-studded Met Gala, an annual soiree dubbed ‘Fashion’s biggest night out.’

The annual Met Gala benefits the museum's Costume Institute | Upper East Site
The annual Met Gala benefits the museum’s Costume Institute | Upper East Site

Nearly hours before celebrities would begin to arrive at the Met’s now tent-covered entrance along Fifth Avenue, Upper East Site spotted two small groups of people already camped out across the street from the venue, huddled on the sidewalk behind police barricades.

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The group of friends hailing from midtown had been there out front since around 5:30 am and planned to stay there all day long. By 11:00 am, they weren’t the only ones hoping to make a celebrity sighting as the street corners began to fill up with spectators.

Four friends from Midtown were camped in front of The Met starting at 6:00 am | Upper East Site
Four friends from Midtown were camped in front of The Met starting at 6:00 am | Upper East Site

Before noon, Upper East Site spotted actor and comedian (and Upper East Sider) Michael Rapaport outside the museum trying to crash the event while filming for his popular podcast. Rapaport asked security how he could get into tonight’s festivities, but was unsuccessful in negotiating his way inside.

Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport was seen trying to crash The Met Gala while filming for his podcast | Upper East Site
Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport was seen trying to crash The Met Gala while filming for his podcast | Upper East Site

Attending The Met Gala, which serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, reportedly costs $50,000 per person— though you can’t simply buy a ticket— it is by invitation only.

The sidewalks across from The Met began to fill up around 11:00 am, seven hours before arrivals begin | Upper East Site
The sidewalks across from The Met began to fill up around 11:00 am, seven hours before arrivals begin | Upper East Site

Screenwriter Michaela Coel, actor Penélope Cruz, tennis great Roger Federer, singer Dua Lipa and Vogue’s Anna Wintour are co-chairs of the 2023 event.

Among this year’s attendees, you can expect to see WNBA star Brittney Griner — released from a Russian prison last December — Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Salma Hayek and Pete Davidson, according to Page Six. TMZ says fans should watch for Paris Hilton, who will be attending for the first time, and Gisele Bündchen, who will go without Tom Brady.

This year's Met Gala theme is 'In honor of Karl' for designer Karl Lagerfeld | Upper East Site
This year’s Met Gala theme is ‘In honor of Karl’ for designer Karl Lagerfeld | Upper East Site

The Met Gala’s theme for 2023 is ‘In honor of Karl,’ paying tribute to German-born fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, the focus of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit.

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‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ highlights the designer’s influences and collections throughout the decades, from his beginnings in the 1950s until his final pieces in 2019.

To watch live coverage of the Met Gala’s celebrity red carpet arrivals on Monday evening, tune in to E! on television or visit Vogue magazine’s website to see the official livestream hosted by La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg, and SNL cast member Chloe Fineman. The festivities begin at 6:00 pm.

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