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Beautiful red steps. The legendary couture gown. Jaw-dropping accessories. And, of course, iconic celebrities.
Met Gala is one of the most spectacular nights for fashion, art and culture on the first Monday of May every year.
And this year, female athletes are spearheading the annual fundraising event.
Tennis superstar Venus Williams Beyoncé will join Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour as co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala. WNBA champion A’ja Wilson, ballerina Misty Copeland and Paralympian Amy Mullins will be a part of the host committee, alongside other celebrities such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Kat, Lisa and Teyana Taylor – just to name a few.
In recent years, the Met Gala has become the most sought-after ticket for the most fashion-forward athletes. Lewis Hamilton was vice-president last year, when Angel ReeseSha’Cari Richardson and Simone Biles were on the host committee.
This year’s theme is “Costume Art,” with an accompanying dress code of “Fashion is Art,” giving a unique perspective to the athletes involved.
When it comes to the physical body as an art form, Williams, Wilson, Copeland and Mullins know better than most what it means to truly embody this year’s theme.
And their individual journeys to the Met Gala can be as storied and complicated as the outfits they wear on fashion’s biggest night. Take a closer look at the athletes who helped shape this year’s Met Gala.
Venus Williams
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, has now added another title to her resume: Met Gala co-chair. The 45-year-old former world No. 1 recently competed at the Madrid Open, where, despite losing his 10th singles match, he indicated he is considering playing at Roland Garros this month. With her last win on tour coming in July 2025 in the round of 16 of a WTA 500 event in Washington, Williams continues to demonstrate that she is nowhere near retirement. But with tennis making up much of her DNA, Williams reminded the world that fashion remains a highlight of her life. After marrying actor, producer and model Andrea Preeti in December 2025, a time A five-day wedding at home in Palm Beach, Williams demonstrated her fascination with couture gowns and the Met Gala’s theme of “Fashion is Art.” Last year, Williams wore a tennis-inspired Lacoste gown to the Met Gala, highlighting her presence on the court.
Aja Wilson
For three consecutive seasons, the WNBA star has showcased her creative and artistic form of expression Media daytime hair color. From her silver hairstyle in 2024 to her bubblegum pink look in 2025, the four-time MVP knows all eyes will be on her when she takes the stage. And just a week before her debut at the Met Gala, Wilson dyed her hair red for a “Jean Gray type vibe with the X-Men.” Wilson, who just signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $5 million supermax contract to stay Las Vegas AcesRecently cited Beyonce and Ciara as her style role models. In a Vogue interview, Wilson also blamed the tunnel fit for the WNBA change: “It brought us a different audience and eyeballs.” He added, “People should understand how powerful it is to walk into a game in heels, crush it and put those heels back on. It’s that powerful.” Days before the WNBA season tips off, Wilson will trade in the tunnel walk for the red carpet — presumably in heels.
Misty Copeland
In October 2025, Copeland took her final spin on her pointe shoes. But on Monday night, the American ballerina will step onto another familiar stage: the Met Gala. A decade ago, Copeland made history First black female principal dancer In the 75-year history of American Ballet Theatre. Over the years, Copeland has embodied diversity in ballet. Redefining the American ballerina, 43-year-old Copeland’s final curtain call at American Ballet Theater wasn’t a complete farewell. Last year, she told the media that it was a “farewell” but that “it won’t be the end of my dance … never say never.” Perhaps, Copeland will dance her way to the red step at the Met Gala? One can only hope!
Aimee Mullins
It may be cliche to say, “Nothing is impossible.” But the Paralympian and actress has proven that sentiment to be true time and time again. After undergoing below-the-knee amputations of both his legs as a child, Mullins became the first amputee to compete against non-disabled athletes in the NCAA when he attended Georgetown as a track and field athlete. In 1996, Mullins competed at the Summer Paralympic Games in Atlanta, where he ran the T42-46 class 100-meter sprint in 17.01 seconds and jumped 3.14 meters in the F42-46 class long jump. After retiring from competition after two years, Mullins began modeling for British fashion designer Alexander McQueen and opened his London show with a pair of hand-carved wooden prosthetic legs made from solid ash. As the years progressed, Mullins continued to establish himself in the world of entertainment. The actress, who claims to have 12 pairs of prosthetic legs, some of which are “in museums”, understands what being an art form means to her.
