Rihanna confirms third pregnancy at Met Gala as stars celebrate tailored Black style

Rihanna, Andre 3000, and Pharrell Williams headline a night of fashion, culture, and political resonance at the 2025 Met Gala.

Rihanna poses at the Met Gala, the annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, held under the theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' in New York City, on May 5, 2025. Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

On a rain-soaked evening in Manhattan, music icon Rihanna confirmed her third pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala, turning the star-studded event into both a fashion spectacle and a cultural milestone. Accompanied by her partner A$AP Rocky, the Barbadian singer arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art late in the evening, making a dramatic entrance in a wide-brimmed hat and a corseted striped gown that clung to her stomach — a clear announcement of her pregnancy.

The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute, was themed “Tailored for You,” a celebration of Black style and tailoring in conjunction with the museum’s newest exhibit “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Rihanna third pregnancy Met Gala dominated the buzz across social media and news platforms following the singer’s surprise reveal.

A night of fashion, art, and cultural reflection

Despite the torrential downpour that greeted guests as they walked the daffodil-trimmed deep-blue carpet, the Met Gala once again lived up to its reputation for drama, decadence, and daring fashion statements. Stars from the worlds of film, music, sports, and politics arrived clad in meticulously curated outfits that paid homage to the elegance and innovation of Black tailoring.

Among the early arrivals were co-chairs Colman Domingo and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton. Domingo turned heads in a royal blue pleated cloak that opened to reveal a black-and-white checkered jacket paired with gray trousers. Hamilton embraced a minimalist aesthetic with an ivory suit and a classic beret, embodying a timeless interpretation of the theme.

Pharrell Williams, both musician and Louis Vuitton menswear creative director, drew awe with a pearl-embellished ivory jacket said to contain over 15,000 pearls. Meanwhile, rapper Andre 3000 went full performance art, strapping a faux piano to his back like a backpack, ensuring his presence would not be forgotten.

Political figures and thematic weight

Kamala Harris (center) arrives dressed for the Met Gala. Photo by Link Laurence/X

While fashion dominated the headlines, the event also carried an undercurrent of political resonance. Former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made a quiet appearance, skipping the main carpet but appearing in a photo shared by the Democratic Party, wearing a long black-and-white gown that nodded to the evening’s motif.

Curator Andrew Bolton of the Costume Institute noted that although planning for the “Superfine” exhibit began in 2022, the current U.S. political climate under President Donald Trump’s second term — marked by aggressive moves against diversity initiatives — lent a new and urgent relevance to the exhibit’s themes.

“In this current political climate, it resonates very differently. Timing is everything,” Bolton said.

From Bollywood to Broadway, global icons embrace the theme

Celebrating the tailored Black aesthetic wasn't limited to American celebrities. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a rare Met Gala appearance, wearing a silk sherwani-style black jacket over tailored trousers, adorned with layered necklaces, including a massive pendant marked with the letter “K.”

Actors Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya, co-stars on the hit show Euphoria, arrived in contrasting but equally commanding outfits. Sweeney shimmered in a sculpted black gown with her hair slicked into a bun, while Zendaya opted for a structured white silk suit complete with a brimmed hat, drawing inspiration from vintage menswear tailoring.

Simone Biles. Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles lit up the carpet in a vibrant short blue dress featuring a sharp white collar. Filmmaker Spike Lee, a fixture at the Met Gala, paid homage to his hometown and the theme in a black suit, an orange New York Knicks cap, and a silver crossbody bag. Singer Chappell Roan brought a splash of boldness in hot pink.

Accessories as statements

Not to be overlooked were the accessories that rounded out many of the night’s standout looks. Bad Bunny carried a brown and yellow bowling bag, while actress Tessa Thompson wielded a fan emblazoned with the image of the late André Leon Talley, the legendary fashion journalist whose spirit loomed large over the night. Many guests cited Talley as a guiding force behind their ensembles.

Musicians Stevie Wonder and Shaboozey mingled with actors Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, and Cynthia Erivo, each offering their own interpretation of tailored elegance.

Notable absences and tributes

One of the evening’s most anticipated appearances didn’t happen: NBA superstar LeBron James, who served as an honorary chair for the event, was absent due to a knee injury. “Hate to miss an historical event!” he posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Nonetheless, the energy on the carpet remained palpable as the rain eased and the flashes of photographers lit up the facade of the museum. The celebration of Black style through precise tailoring, historical references, and personal expression served as a fitting contrast to the cultural and political tensions of the moment.

A defining cultural moment

The 2025 Met Gala was not just another night of glamour. It was a confluence of celebrity, culture, and political commentary. Rihanna’s third pregnancy reveal was undeniably the night’s biggest headline. But the deeper story lay in how the evening spotlighted the richness and resilience of Black fashion, artistry, and identity.

As the Costume Institute exhibit opens to the public, the fashion world will no doubt continue unpacking the meanings stitched into every seam and silhouette that appeared on the carpet. From high fashion to high symbolism, the 2025 Met Gala reminded audiences of the power of style to reflect and reshape our cultural narrative.