The Wait Is Over! Dress Code, Long List of Stylish Black Celebs To Help Host The Met Gala—Revealed

Because May 5 is way too long to wait for this celebration of Black style excellence, we’re looking at some of the host committee members best-tailored fits.

For fashion lovers, the Met Gala is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the season. Besides raising money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, it’s also one of the hottest red carpets around, with stars like Rihanna, Zendaya and Cardi B showing off looks that almost always break the internet.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Angela Bassett Reveals the Mission: Impossible Birthday Surprise That Got Tom Cruise Dancing

Each year, the gala’s dress code is inspired by the Costume Institute’s exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, allowing guests to interpret the exhibit’s theme in their own way. This year’s exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” is inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” and will explore the best of Black men’s style from the 18th century to today.

This week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the dress code for this year’s gala, “Tailored for You,” a nod to the exhibit’s focus on suiting and menswear along with a star-studded Met Gala host committee, which includes LeBron James, Usher, Pharrell Williams and Janelle Monáe.

“The theme this year is not only timely but also speaks to our rich culture that should always be widely celebrated,” Usher said in a statement about the event.

Because May 5 is way too long to wait for this celebration of Black style excellence, we’re looking back at some of the host committee members suited and booted in their best-tailored looks. Enjoy!

Doechii

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Doechii attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

Coming off her amazing GRAMMY win, we have no doubt that Doechii will show up to the Met Gala looking extra fly.

Angel Reese

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Angel Reese attends the Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAAs) 2024 at Cipriani South Street on December 04, 2024 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Craig Barritt/Footwear News

WNBA superstar Angel Reese is a beast on the basketball court. But the Chicago Sky forward’s “Bayou Barbie” alter ego is just as exciting to watch.

Lewis Hamilton

Choosing British Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton as one of the Met Gala co-hosts was a no-brainer. Whether he’s wearing jeans, leather or a suit, he always shows up in style.

Dapper Dan

At 80 years old, fashion designer Dapper Dan has been a major player in the fashion game for decades. With all of that style experience under his belt, we can’t wait to see how he’ll interpret this year’s dress code.

Ayo Edebiri

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Ayo Edebiri attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Getty Images Stewart Cook/CBS

When it comes to the next generation of style stars, actress Ayo Edebiri is one to watch.

Usher

Usher at Usher’s Secret Garden Met Gala After Party held at The Times Square Edition on May 6, 2024 in New York, New York. Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/WWD

Ok, who are we kidding? Usher looks good in just about everything. But we have to give him his props, the man knows how to wear a suit.

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monáe at the Fashion Trust U.S. 2024 Awards held on April 9, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

When it comes to the Met Gala, singer-songwriter-actress and all-around style icon Janelle Monáe has already given us way too many amazing red carpet looks to count. Her creative interpretations of the theme always leave us wanting more.

Colman Domingo

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Colman Domingo attends The 45th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards at The May Fair Hotel on February 2, 2025 in London, England. Photo: Getty Images Dave Benett

Colman Domingo stays on our best dressed list. While some guys might see the tailored dress code as confining, we think he’ll definitely hit a style home run.

A$AP Rocky

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: ASAP Rocky is seen on October 4, 2024 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images XNY/Star Max

Without question, A$AP Rocky is one of the hottest style stars in the game. The rapper has already shown us that he knows how to wear a suit, and since he’ll likely have Rihanna on his arm, we know we’ll be in for a fashion treat.

LeBron James

NBA superstar LeBron James has come into his own as one of the most stylish players in the league.

Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee attend the 2022 EBONY Power 100 at Milk Studios Los Angeles on October 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera/WireImage

Whether he’s at an awards show or court side at a Knicks game, Spike Lee is known for creative and colorful looks. We can’t wait to see how he and wife, Tonya Lewis Lee interpret this year’s Met Gala dress code.

Jonathan Owens & Simone Biles

Fresh off Simone’s amazing Olympic performance at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, sports power couple Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles will be a great addition to the Met Gala red carpet this year. They’ve already shown and proved that know how to go glam in this pic during an appearance at the White House in 2022.

Pharrell Williams

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 30: Pharrell Williams attends the #BoF500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 30, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Pascal Le Segretain

We love that Pharrell Williams is never afraid to push the fashion envelope. Since he’s added men’s creative director for renowned fashion house Louis Vuitton to his resume, he’s become an even more important part of the conversation.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Freshest Sneakers You Need in Your Shoe Collection Now

The Freshest Sneakers You Need in Your Shoe Collection Now

So you call yourself a sneakerhead? From Joe Freshgood x New Balance to the iconic Nike Air Jordans, we’re highlighting the best kicks that have the streets buzzing …
List of Trump's Allies Who are Turning Against Him...

List of Trump’s Allies Who are Turning Against Him…

Trump relied on far-right podcasters and close Republican politicians to win his second term, but now alliances are quickly forming against him …
The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown spoke out on why content creators deserve to be in elevated spaces like the Oscars. But some journalists aren’t seeing eye to eye with her stance …
How Rapper Afroman is Defending Himself in Court After Releasing Multiple Ohio Police Diss Tracks

How Rapper Afroman is Defending Himself in Court After Releasing Multiple Ohio Police Diss Tracks

Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman just testified in court after being sued by Ohio law enforcement over his many diss tracks against them …
Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee just moved to impeach AG Pam Bondi, marking the second time in March that articles of impeachment have been brought against her …
Farrah From Destiny's Child Responds to Terrence Howard's Dating Claims

Farrah From Destiny’s Child Responds to Terrence Howard’s Dating Claims

Terrence Howard said he had a romantic connection with singer Farrah Franklin years ago. Now, she’s speaking out and telling a different side to the story! …
Black TikToker Claims He 'Scammed' MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

Black TikToker Claims He ‘Scammed’ MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

One Black TikToker allegedly scammed MAGA supporters out of thousands of dollars. Now, his story is going viral …
Michael B. Jordan's Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Michael B. Jordan’s Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Oscar-winner Michael B. Jordan’s former classmate, who used to bully him, is seemingly getting a taste of her own medicine online…yet again …
Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA's Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA’s Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

After 17 months of heated negotiations, the WNBA avoided the first work stoppage in league history by reaching a historic deal with its Players Association …
How the Real Rickey Smiley Stepped in to Help a Miami Woman Scammed Out of Cash by a Fake One

How the Real Rickey Smiley Stepped in to Help a Miami Woman Scammed Out of Cash by a Fake One

As a Miami woman sought donations for her charity, she said she was scammed out of $1,200 to meet comedian Rickey Smiley. Now, he’s making it right …
March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

Black players got the spotlight. Black schools lost the stage …
Jay-Z is Up to Something Big, Now We Have an Idea What it is

Jay-Z is Up to Something Big, Now We Have an Idea What it is

After nearly a decade since Jay-Z’s last album, rumors about new music are circulating from fans gearing up for his first performance in years …
Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Nicey Nash-Betts’ recent birthday trip to Mexico took an unexpected turn thanks to inner-city violence. Now, we finally know how she ended up back home! …
Why Black Folks' Reactions to Teyana Taylor's Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Why Black Folks’ Reactions to Teyana Taylor’s Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Teyana Taylor’s behavior at the Oscars has prompted a lot of online discourse and criticism. But it may be unfairly targeted towards her. Let’s talk about why! …
Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Under the alias “Mike King,” one Black man landed a job working for Texas Rep. Crockett before being killed in a standoff with police …
The Chilling Rise of the 'Alpine Divorce,' Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

The Chilling Rise of the ‘Alpine Divorce,’ Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

Inside the dangerous relationship trend you’ve never heard of: Alpine divorces, where men desert their partners on hikes to break up …
MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

School Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced that MacKenzie Scott has donated $42 million to Elizabeth City State University …
Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Adding to Trump’s history of offending people with disabilities, the president took aim at Gov. Newsom, who has dyslexia …
Story Behind Michael B. Jordan's Viral In-N-Out Stop

Story Behind Michael B. Jordan’s Viral In-N-Out Stop

From the red carpet to red, white and yellow burger chain, Jordan’s humble stop celebrated celebrity accessibility and Hollywood tradition in all the right ways …
New Study Reveals RFK Jr's Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

New Study Reveals RFK Jr’s Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

An analysis from Protect Our Care and American Public Health Association found RFK Jr.’s “crusade against vaccines” especially harmful for Black Americans …