Zendaya Returns To Met Gala After 5-Year Hiatus—See Her Looks Throughout The Years

She's beauty, she's grace, and ready to own the Met Gala stage.

Today marks Zendaya's return to the Met Gala after a long-awaited five-year hiatus. Understandably, pop culture fans were disappointed when the Dune 2 star was nowhere to be found at last year's event.

Zendaya didn't offer an explanation for her absence, but it makes sense why she was a no-show – she's been booked and busy these past few years! When she was asked about the event in 2022, Zendaya explained that there were a lot of filming conflicts. “I'm gonna disappoint my fans here, but I will be working,” she informed Extra in April 2022. “Your girl's gotta work and make some movies. So I wish everyone the best… But yeah, I’ll be back eventually…Yeah, I’ll keep delivering in other ways [on other red carpet events].”

This year's theme is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, which “will explore notions of rebirth and renewal, using nature as a metaphor for the impermanence of fashion." As reported by Vogue in November, the exhibition will focus on historical dresses that can never be worn again, hence their name, the “Sleeping Beauties.”

Will Zendaya show up in a large and majestic gown? Something regal, perhaps? When The New York Times spoke with Law Roach (Zendaya's legendary stylist), he revealed that he hadn't seen her dress — actually, it wasn't even made yet. “I haven’t seen Zendaya’s dress! We’ve been on two press tours — Dune 2 and Challengers — and doing two Vogue covers,” Roach said in an interview published on Thursday. “The dress isn’t even made. They won’t fit until Saturday.” Roach remained calm about the situation, probably because he and Zendaya have done this many times before and always delivered stunning red-carpet looks.

So, in honor of Zendaya's return, let's look back at her Met Gala gowns throughout the years.

Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019)

Zendaya's last Met Gala appearance was in 2019, showing up on the pink carpet as Cinderella with Roach as her fairy godfather.

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018)

The Challengers star definitely understood the assignment, donning a Joan of Arc-inspired look at the 2018 event.

Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between (2017)

Zendaya wore a vibrant Dolce & Gabbana dress adorned with parrots and flowers, successfully embodying the theme Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between.

Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology (2016)

In 2016, the A-list actress pulled off a bowl cut and dazzled in a golden Michael Kors gown. It featured a single long sleeve, complemented by Jorge Adeler rings and daring smoky eye makeup.

China: Through the Looking Glass (2015)

The former Disney Channel actress was only 18 when she attended her first Met Gala! The Shake It Up star opted for a memorable black and red Fausto Puglisi dress, which she paired with a golden sunburst headband and bracelet.

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