Every year, the Met Gala looks so outrageous it barely feels real. But this year has taken things to a whole new level. Between Beyoncé coming down the stairs in a sparkly skeleton dress and Katy Perry hiding her face behind a chrome mask, it stopped looking like a red carpet and started looking more like a boss rush.
Fashion's biggest night has always been an over-the-top spectacle, but this year's looks sparked something at the back of every gamer's mind. The celebrities attending the 2026 Met Gala took inspiration directly from the game's most famous bosses. don't you believe it? Continue reading.
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Twilight Thorn has been serving this energy since 2005 and Lisa has finally caught on
Blackpink's Lisa walked the red carpet in a custom Robert Wun gown that stopped everyone in their tracks and nearly blinded photographers with a flash. The all-white sheer dress was encrusted with 66,960 Swarovski crystals and featured a pair of 3D-printed arms carved from Lisa's own body, posing in traditional Thai dance positions and holding a billowing crystal veil above her head. It was a breathtaking, surreal outfit that looked all too familiar The heart of the kingdom fans.
Even before players can adjust to the dramatic early game changes Kingdom Hearts IIthey are thrown into the first boss fight. Twilight Thorn is a massive, almost entirely white Nobody with arms so long that they drag across the floor, and a figure so strange that it almost certainly shouldn't exist, even in The heart of the kingdom universe. Does this sound familiar? Lisa's crystal veil, sculpted arms, and translucent white dress exude the same energy, only with much better jewelry. Twilight Thorn is one of them The heart of the kingdomThe most memorable boss battles and any fan of the series would prepare for a fight if they saw Lisa strutting down the red carpet.
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Katy Perry borrowed the twins' chrome mask and forgot to return it
Katy Perry arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in an elegant Stella McCartney gown and absolutely no one knew who she was. But that was the point. From the burnt train to the six-fingered gloves that poked fun at her AI deep fakes that were making the rounds online, her entire ensemble had a cool, futuristic look that was almost impossible to look away from. When she finally removed it, the entire crowd stopped and stared before losing their minds in amazement.
Twins in Atomic Heart give the same atmosphere. Wrapped in sleek chrome, the pair of robotic ballerinas have a deliberate sense of mechanical beauty and calculated danger that perfectly matches the alluring sense of mystery in Katy Perry's outfit. When the Twins dance into the room, you know they're about to fight. When Katy Perry danced down the red carpet, gamers felt exactly the same way.
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Beyoncé showed up to the Met Gala in Marie's Outfit and nobody noticed
Beyoncé returned to the Met Gala for the first time in ten years and did not disappoint. Arriving on the carpet in typical Beyoncé fashion, she wore a stunning part-armor, part-dress creation by Olivier Rousteing, with a crystal-encrusted skeleton adorning every inch and a sweeping, feathered train so huge it had to be carried by several people. It was opulent, theatrical and completely stole the show. But Skullgirls fans couldn't help but notice some similarities to one of their favorite bosses.
Mary is Skullgirls the final boss and, like Beyoncé, is as memorable as they come. Her entire aesthetic revolves around skeletons and bones. She exudes a dark, undeniable power that demands attention and makes everything else around her feel completely irrelevant. When Marie walks into the room, everyone stops in amazement, knowing full well that they are in serious trouble. But Beyoncé just reminded the world that she will always be the ultimate boss.
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Edea looked at it first and did it without Madonna's seven assistants
In typical Madonna fashion, when she arrived at the 2026 Met Gala, she blew everyone away with her off-the-shoulder, hinged outfit. A black Saint Laurent lace dress, satin gloves, platform shoes and a jet black wig were all tied together by a stunning headpiece in the shape of a spooky pirate ship. The sheer size and chaos of the outfit required seven people to follow her and carry the veil. Her appearance was as extravagant as any boss performance.
Final Fantasy VIII players have seen this entrance before. When one of the game's most iconic villains, Sorceress Edea, appears, she has the same commanding presence and stage presence as Madonna. Dark clothes, surrounding entourage and an unmistakable sense of ceremony all evoke an impending boss fight. Madonna understood the brief, but Edea set the standard in 1999, and players everywhere know which one they'd rather take.
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Malenia wore it better and Rihanna would agree
Rihanna packed the 2026 Met Gala the same way she does everything else, with panache, extravagance and a sense of presence unmatched by anyone else in the room. She wowed attendees in her dramatic Maison Margiela gown with jewel-encrusted sleeves cascading in crystals and a shroud that draped over her shoulders and paired with a skirt. The silver and gold tones gave her outfit an almost metallic armor-like look that screamed boss battle. The Met Gala always saves the best for last, just like Elden Ring.
Elden Ring Looking at Rihanna, players couldn't help but see Malenia, Blade of Miquell. Two golden warriors, bosses so striking and powerful that their reputation precedes them. Malenia is one of the most feared bosses in gaming history, and Rihanna's name carries no less weight. She was the last boss of the Met Gala 2026 and, like Malenia, she needed no introduction. Everyone already knows who he is.
The 2026 Met Gala featured some of the most theatrical and memorable looks in the event's history. But the surprising part was that the players had already seen it all. The most legendary boss fights will always feature extravagant, bold character designs and outfits, as well as celebrities. Fashion and gaming will always have more in common than either side wants to admit. The Met Gala 2026 was simply impossible to ignore.
