Unexpected Met Gala trend alert: Doja Cat, Jared Leto and Lil Nas X pay homage to Choupette in cat costumes
Did someone say Cat Gala?
The 2023 Met Gala is shaping up to be as wacky as ever, with an unexpected sub-theme emerging in the celebrity outfits.
While attendees are studiously adhering to the event's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty theme, some have taken a niche approach by paying homage to the love of the late designer's life: his cat.
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Putting the 'cat' in Doja Cat. Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Doja Cat and Jared Leto are both in cat costumes, with Choupette, Lagerfeld's famous Burmese, seemingly as their muse, with Lil Nas X also channelling feline energy.
Doja Cat is in a white bejewelled mermaid-style gown from Oscar de la Renta, featuring a feathered train and a hood with cat ears.
She's continued the feline theme with long claw-like nails and "cat-eye" eyeliner.
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However, the Woman rapper does not shy away from red carpet commitment, and she's truly hit it out of the park this time.
Take a closer look, and you'll see she's wearing facial prosthetics for an authentic Choupette look.
We have a feeling Lagerfeld would approve.
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She's feline good. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
For his spin on Choupette, Jared Leto took a very different but equally dramatic approach.
Think: Disneyland character mascot.
The musician and actor wore a lifelike and larger-than-life cat suit that concealed his identity until he removed the head to reveal himself.
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Jared Leto in cat form. Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Surprise! Getty
Incredibly, this isn't the first time Leto has worn a Met Gala outfit with a 'head' as its centrepiece.
He famously carried a replica of his own head to the 2019 event, embracing the 'camp' theme.
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X has gone for a full-body-bejewelling cat look.
Lil Nas X is sparkling from head to toe. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The rapper is wearing a silver Dior g-string with glitter platform boots, but has left the heavy lifting to the silver paint and gemstones covering the rest of his body and face.
At first, there was a little confusion at first over what, exactly, the theme of his outfit was, with many viewers suggesting "merman".
However, Lil Nas X has set us all straight by "meowing" at reporters.
This will be fun to remove at the end of the night... Getty Images for The Met Museum/
In a less overt way, Janelle Monae and Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman have also paid homage to Choupette.
Both stars' outfits include handbags in the shape of a cat.
Janelle Monae with her Choupette bag. Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld
And here's Chloe Fineman's effort. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Despite rumours to the contrary, Choupette is not in attendance at the Met Gala, despite the event being themed around her late owner.
"A million thanks to all of you my fans, animal lovers & Daddy's admirers. You have all shown the kindest enthusiasm and unconditional support, I say MERCI !" a post on the cat's official Instagram reads.
Karl Lagerfeld and his beloved pet cat Choupette. Instagram
"Many people invited me to walk the red carpet of the #METGALA2023 in tribute to Daddy, but we preferred to stay peacefully & cozy at home.
"We pay tribute to my Daddy every day since his parting and we are very moved to see one more day dedicated to him. With love, forever Choupette."
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