Beyoncé will return to the Met Gala in 2026, marking her first appearance at the event in ten years. She is set to co-chair the prestigious fundraiser alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The announcement, made on Wednesday (Dec. 10), immediately sparked fan speculation about Act III, the yet-to-be-announced final installment in the trilogy that began with Renaissance and Cowboy Carter.
Next year’s Gala will take place on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with proceeds supporting the Costume Institute’s exhibitions and operations. According to the Met’s press release, Zoë Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello will co-chair the Gala Host Committee, which includes Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, Teyana Taylor, Lena Dunham, and LISA.
The 2026 theme, “Costume Art,” centers on the dressed body as a form of artistic expression. Lead curator Andrew Bolton said the goal is to connect historical and contemporary representations of the body with fashion as an embodied artform.
While Beyoncé has not confirmed Act III, fans continue to search for clues about the project’s direction. Many expect the album to draw from rock history, with names like Paramore, blink-182, and Jack White commonly floated as potential collaborators. Considering the two-year spacing between Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, a 2026 release timeline remains a strong possibility.
Beyoncé’s return to the Met Gala signals a major cultural moment; one that arrives just as anticipation for her next era reaches its highest point.
