Serena Williams made a dramatic entrance at Anna Wintour’s exclusive pre-Met Gala dinner in New York City. The tennis icon stepped out at Wintour’s private Greenwich Village residence in a custom LaQuan Smith red sequined gown that shimmered under the lights. The standout feature was a daring slit that showed off her legs before she even fully made her entrance, instantly becoming one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
She completed the look with black pointed-toe Christian Louboutin heels and a sleek Roger Vivier clutch, keeping her accessories minimal. Her platinum-blonde waves were parted down the middle and styled into soft, loose curls, while her makeup stayed simple, letting the dress take center stage.
Williams Under Fire For Wearing ‘Tacky’ Red Dress
As photos from the night made their way online, reactions were quick and divided. Some critics didn’t hold back, with one writing, “So vulgar. So inappropriate. The color does not suit her at all, and the styling, cut of the dress does Serena no favors.”
Others kept it short but pointed, adding, “Oh my…” and “Looks tacky to me,” while another suggested, “She needs a new stylist.” But not everyone was skeptical. Fans quickly came to her defense, with one supporter writing, “She’s killing it in that dress,” while another added, “Wow, so pretty.”
Serena Williams’ latest Met Gala appearance also comes at a time when fans can’t stop speculating about a possible return to tennis. Novak Djokovic recently fueled the speculation while speaking to reporters at the BNP Paribas Open, admitting that he, and plenty of others, are watching closely.
“I think she’s coming back,” Djokovic said. “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her, but I guess the sentiment is that she’s coming back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don’t know, and if I’m in her position, I would hide it too.”
He added, “Everybody is excited, and it’s definitely something that’s very highly anticipated. So, you know, let’s see.”
Serena Williams Laughs Off Met Gala Wardrobe Mishap
Serena Williams also attended an exclusive pre-Met Gala party hosted by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez over the weekend, where she kept things glamorous (and real), even after a minor fashion hiccup. The tennis icon stepped out in a ruched gray minidress featuring a dramatic strapless bodice that highlighted her legs, pairing the look with sheer stockings, black stilettos, and a gold Audemars Piguet watch.
But by the end of the night, things didn’t go exactly as planned. Serena later revealed that her stockings had ripped during the event, something she took completely in stride. “Is the night even worth talking about if you didn’t get a rip in your stockings?” she joked on Instagram, brushing off the wardrobe malfunction.
Williams Is A Met Gala Regular With A Fashion Legacy
Serena is no stranger to the Met Gala spotlight, having co-chaired the event in the past and consistently delivered bold fashion moments. The mother of two, who shares daughters Olympia and Adira with husband Alexis Ohanian, continues to show she’s just as powerful on the red carpet as she was on the court.
While she won’t be co-chairing this year’s event, the honor has stayed in the family. Her sister, Venus Williams, is set to host the 2026 Met Gala alongside Beyoncé and Nicole Kidman, making it another major moment for the Williams legacy at fashion’s biggest night.
Met Gala 2026 Heats Up As Stars Prepare For Big Night
With the Met Gala set to take over New York City tonight, the excitement is only building. This year’s theme, “Costume Art,” with a dress code of “Fashion Is Art,” is expected to bring out some of the most creative and boundary-pushing looks yet, as stars transform the red carpet into a living gallery.
A-list names from across entertainment, fashion, and sports are expected to attend, including Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Kardashian, Charli XCX, and more, leading the night.
But if this pre-party look is any indication, Serena has already made sure all eyes are on her heading into Met Gala night.
