Gen Z Took Over the Met Gala

the tea

| LAST UPDATE 09/15/2021

By Danielle Mejia
billie eilish met gala
Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff via Getty Images

While this year's Met Gala's theme was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," it easily could have been "The Youth Are the Future" thanks to the total Gen Z takeover that dominated at the 2021 event.

first time met gala
Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor via Getty Images

And it was clear that the Met Gala overseers were on board with bringing in some fresh blood. According to the event's longstanding tradition, each year a handful of candidates are chosen to co-chair the event. And this year? All four of them were under the age of 25. The talented foursome included Timothé Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Noami Osaka, and Amanda Gorman. And while the job of co-chair came with some challenging responsibilities, it certainly didn't get in their way when it came to serving a fierce look on the red carpet. These four Gen Z-ers delivered some show-stopping impressions in their high-fashion threads.

met gala youngest attendees
Kevin Mazur/MG21 / Contributor via Getty Images

Billie Eilish, who has been rocking her blonde locks since earlier this year, looked like she'd just stepped out from a fairytale ball, thanks to her flowy Oscar de la Renta gown. But it wasn't just a pretty dress: the Happier Than Ever singer packed a powerful message with her choice of threads, which she later explained in her Instagram post. "It was an honor to wear this dress know that going forward oscar de la renta will be completely fur-free!!!!" Billie wrote in her caption. "I am beyond thrilled that... the entire team heard me on this issue, and have now made a change that makes an impact for the greater good, not only for animals but also for our planet and environment too."

Other Gen Z powerhouses in attendance included Lil Nas X, Yara Shahidi, Emma Chamberlain, Addison Rae, and Dixie D'Amelio. And for many of the young attendees, it was their first opportunity to appear at the event altogether. And while some of the Met Gala staples were noticeably missing (ahem, Zendaya), many social media users have expressed hope that this year is a sign that the exclusive event is changing with the times.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Be sure to check back soon for more news from this year's jaw-dropping display of high fashion!