Controversy Erupts Online Over Sydney Sweeney’s Bold and Risky Outfit at Met Gala

It’s the biggest night in fashion, but Sydney Sweeney’s Met Gala appearance has left fans wondering if she got the memo.

The “Euphoria” and “Anyone But You” star arrived at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City in what should have been a show-stopping moment.

Instead, Sydney Sweeney’s look flopped pretty hard, according to fans.

Sweeney made an appearance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s red carpet donning a sleek black gown with cut-out details, a departure from the extravagant and dramatic ensembles typically seen at the Met Gala. The event’s theme this year, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” aimed to pay tribute to the tradition of Black dandyism and its connections to the Harlem Renaissance and the post-Emancipation era, setting high expectations among fans.

Let’s just say, after seeing her look, the internet did not hold back.

Disappointed reactions flooded X, the social media platform formerly identified as Twitter, with one user succinctly stating, “Crashing totally,” and another adding, “Boring. Out of theme. Bye,” highlighting a sense of letdown among followers of the event.

Another disappointed viewer chimed in with, “I fell asleep, yawn.” And the criticisms didn’t stop there.

“I don’t get the look,” one user posted, with another adding, “Did she even try?”

Annually, on the first Monday of May, the crème de la crème of Hollywood merges with the fashion industry at an extravagant, exclusive soiree organized by the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour.

The red carpet transforms into a theatrical runway, where couture meets commentary, and the stakes are high. From jaw-dropping silhouettes to meticulous historical references, this is the night stars aim to cement their status as fashion icons.

But this year’s theme, drawn from Monica L. Miller’s acclaimed 2009 book “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” isn’t just about slaying a look. It’s about honoring the deeply rooted, expressive tradition of Black fashion that emerged post-slavery and blossomed during the Harlem Renaissance, a movement rich with symbolism, pride, and individuality.

So when fans saw Sweeney roll up in what many viewed as a “safe” dress, frustration bubbled over.

“Talk about tone-deaf,” one user said as another expressed, “Wow. For Sydney Sweeney, this is completely underwhelming.”

The online reaction was swift, brutal, and relentless, especially given how many attendees embraced the theme through bold tailoring, extravagant embellishments, and meaningful storytelling through fashion.

While some tried to defend her with “she looks beautiful regardless” and “dress is beautiful but not on theme” comments, others argued that beauty wasn’t enough on a night meant to push fashion boundaries and celebrate cultural history.

Sweeney has been on a red carpet hot streak in recent years, with designers clamoring to dress her for premieres and campaigns. But this Met moment may go down as a rare miss for the rising star.

Meanwhile, the rest of the star-studded guest list leaned all the way into the theme.

Venus turned heads in a vibrant green minidress that highlighted her statuesque frame, pairing it with a dramatic green coat trimmed with black detailing on the sleeves and neckline.

Whoopi showed off her sleek new figure, previously credited to the weight loss drug Mounjaro, in a chic black suit dress, layered with a white coat and topped with a statement top hat.