13 API Celebs Who Rocked the 2021 Met Gala

The annual Met Gala unites red carpet glam with outrageous, over-the-top couture for a single star-studded evening at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year, API stars came prepared to steal the show. From Naomi Osaka to Saweetie, Simu Liu and many more, actors, musicians, influencers and athletes alike embraced the gala’s theme, which focused on American fashion history. Read on to learn more about the top looks of the night!

1. Simu Liu

Styled by none other than the Jeanne Yang, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star Simu Liu went with a classy Fendi suit for his first Met Gala.

2. Mindy Kaling

Actress, comedian and writer Mindy Kaling stunned in an elegant, navy blue dress from Tory Burch.

3. Gemma Chan

The star of Marvel’s forthcoming film “Eternals,” Gemma Chan paid tribute to API Hollywood history with her Prabal Gurung gown, which was designed as an homage to the legendary Anna May Wong.

4. Saweetie

Filipina American rapper Saweetie is serving more than McDonald’s meals. Her custom Christian Cowan gown featured 10 million hand-placed crystals, as well as two trains that reflected her biracial heritage.

5. Olivia Rodrigo

Fresh off her Video Music Awards wins the night before, popstar Olivia Rodrigo left the pink behind to don a lacey black Saint Laurent bodysuit for the evening.

6. Kehlani

R&B crooner Kehlani paired 70’s-style waves with a dazzling, floor-length crystal suit from Jason Rembert’s Aliétte.

7. CL

As one of the first two female K-pop idols to attend the Met Gala (alongside Rosé), superstar CL made history in a daring outfit from Alexander Wang—a flowing denim robe over a pair of white briefs. 

8. Rosé

BLACKPINK’s Rosé made her red carpet bow with a little black dress from luxury fashion brand Saint Laurent.

9. Eugene Lee Yang

It might look like filmmaker and digital creator Eugene Lee Yang had his outfit on “lock” for months, but he revealed to red carpet host Emma Chamberlain that he was actually supposed to wear a dress that fell through just hours before the gala began. That didn’t stop him from showing off some dramatic makeup and heels, though!

10. Eva Chen

Eva Chen, fashion icon and children’s book author, embraced color with this striped number from Christopher John Rogers.

11. Emma Raducanu

Brand-new U.S. Open winner Emma Raducanu took on her first Met Gala with a black and white ensemble designed by Chanel’s Virginie Viard.

12. Sunisa Lee

Hmong American gymnast Sunisa Lee is getting the gold no matter where she goes. She turned up the heat with a sparkling, metallic outfit from Omar Salam’s brand, Sukeina.

13. Naomi Osaka

We’re not sure what’s more impressive—gala co-host Naomi Osaka’s dress, or her gravity-defying hairstyle. The gown’s colorful koi fish pattern, designed by Osaka, her sister Mari and designer Nicolas Ghesquière, is a nod to the tennis champ’s Japanese heritage.