Dame Joan Collins has called out Harry Styles for his supposed lack of manners at the 2019 Met Gala.
The Dynasty legend, 90, recounted an alleged incident with the “As It Was” singer, 29, in her newly published memoir, Behind the Shoulder Pads: Tales I Tell My Friends. In the book, which was released on 24 October, Collins wrote that Styles blocked her view during Cher’s performance at the annual fashion event.
According to Collins, the entire room erupted when the 77-year-old pop icon began singing her hit track, “Believe”, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. However, Styles apparently jumped on the tables and obstructed Collins’ view.
“The sophisticated crowd went mad for her, standing up whooping and cheering,” Collins wrote about Cher’s performance, per the New York Post. “Bette Midler, wearing a top hat and tailcoat in glittery black sequins, came to our table and boogied with Julianne Moore, and I glimpsed Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Holmes doing the same.”
But when Cher sang her first number and returned to the stage with a costume change, Collins claimed that the “Watermelon Sugar” singer got a little too excited.
“Cher left after her first number then came back wearing her original Bob Mackie-style sleek black embroidered bodysuit and a massive black curly wig to sing ‘Believe,’” she recalled. “Harry Styles jumped on the table in front of us, obscuring our view, and took no notice of our entreaties to ‘Get down, we can’t see.’”
Despite the alleged incident, Collins maintained that she still had a ball at the exclusive fashion gala. “I loved my first Met Ball, and I would certainly go again in a heartbeat,” she wrote. “Although at $30,000 a seat, I’ll wait to be invited!”
The theme for the 2019 Met Gala was “Camp: Notes on Fashion”. In addition to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the event was co-chaired by Styles, Serena Williams, Lady Gaga, and former Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele.
For her first Met Gala, the soap opera star channelled her Dynasty character, Alexis Carrington Colby, by wearing an all-white Valentino gown full of feathers. She accessorised the look with a diamond necklace and diamond drop earrings, as well as a silver tiara on her head. Meanwhile, Styles attended the Met Gala in a custom Gucci ensemble. The Grammy winner wore a sheer, frilled black blouse with black trousers and black heeled boots, while his sole pearl earring turned heads.
Although the 90-year-old British actor has been known for her bold and glamorous fashion sense, Collins recently spoke about her love for the major retailer Target - where she bought a $28 leopard bathing suit that “everybody thought” was Dolce and Gabbana.
“Oh, when I was doing Dynasty I would go to Paris sometimes, for Dior. I knew [Gianni] Versace very well. Versace gifted me with several beautiful things that I still have,” she told the Sunday Times last month, before she listed several gifts she’s received from the Italian fashion house over the years. “A black leather jacket covered in big gold coins. A felt crossover skirt with a huge embroidered dragon on it, which I still have. Several jackets, which I have.”
Collins added: “You know, they say if you have something and you haven’t worn it for a year, get rid of it? I don’t believe in that.”
The Independent has contacted Styles’ representatives for comment.
