Bad Bunny has been known to fully commit to the Met Gala’s creative theme every year, and 2026 was no exception – with the rapper dressing as an elderly man for one of the biggest nights in fashion.
This year’s Met Gala theme was “Fashion is Art”, inspired by the museum’s latest “Costume Art” exhibition that looks at depictions of the body through a series of themes: “the naked body”, “classic body”, “pregnant body” and “ageing body”.
While the fundraiser’s star-studded guest list interpreted the theme in a variety of ways, Bad Bunny’s outfit choice proved to be one of the boldest on Monday (4 May). The Puerto Rican star, 32, stepped onto the red carpet in old age make-up, white hair and a black suit with a large pussybow.
Sporting a matching cane, the “Nuevayol” singer – whose real name is Benito Ocasio – became one of the most talked-about looks this year, with many pointing out how his look was clearly inspired by the exhibit theme “ageing body”.
“Bad Bunny is clearly referencing ‘THE AGING BODY’, which is one of the body types represented inside the Costume Institute's exhibition this year, which is all about different body types in art,” one fan wrote on X. “Which no one gets, because the Met sucks at making this clear lol.”
While another said: “So Bad Bunny arrived as an older version of himself. I approve of his performance art.”
Speaking to Vogue at the event, Ocasio joked that it took him “53 years exactly” to get ready for the Met Gala.
“It took a little bit but it was worth it. I hope it looks good,” he said. “I always try to do something different and this day of the Met is the perfect day to explore and recreate and express yourself in a different way so that’s what I’m doing tonight. I’m glad to be here with you and everyone here.”
The Costume Institute’s 2026 exhibition describes the ageing body theme as “reflecting our fear of having to face our own mortality”, with “the youth-oriented fashion industry” traditionally ignoring the aged body.
Ocasio’s prosthetics were designed by make-up artist Mike Marino, who has worked on films such as Coming 2 America, The Batman and A Different Man.
The rapper designed his own suit in a collaboration with Zara, while the pussy bow is a reference to designer Charles James’s 1947 gown “Bustle”, which can be found within the museum’s permanent collection.
Ocasio has been enjoying one of the biggest years of his career, having been crowned one of the most-streamed artists of all time on Spotify alongside Taylor Swift in April.
In February, he made history by headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, shortly after becoming the first artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year with a record performed entirely in Spanish.
At the Met Gala, he was joined by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and a host of other stars. This year’s event has attracted controversy due to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, being honorary co-chairs and lead donors.
While Zendaya and other stars skipped the event, activists protested the Gala, with one group leaving almost 300 bottles of fake urine at the venue.
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