Kamala Harris Makes Surprise Appearance at Met Gala 2025

Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a rare public appearance at Met Gala 2025 in New York City on May 5, six months after losing the 2024 U.S. presidential election to Donald Trump.

By Jess Cohen, Sarah Grossbart May 06, 2025 4:37 AM
| Updated May 06, 2025 1:42 PM
Tags
Watch: How Met Gala 2025 Made History Hours Before Event

Kamala Harris is steadily making a return to the public eye.

The former Vice President of the United States made a surprise appearance alongside her husband Doug Emhoff at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5, exactly six months after losing the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election to Donald Trump. (See every celebrity on the Met Gala red carpet here.)

While Trump, who Vogue's Anna Wintour previously revealed has been "banned" from the Met Gala, wasn't at the event—which is being co-chaired by A$AP RockyColman DomingoLewis Hamilton and Pharrell Williams—Harris turned heads in a custom Off-White dress, which was designed by the brand's creative director IB Kamara.

In a photo captured by Cameron Smith, Kamala showed off her glamorous outfit, which follows this year's "Tailored for You" dress code and aligns with the Costume Institute's "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibit. In a second pic, she posed alongside Doug, who wore a classic black suit for the fashion affair.

This year's Met Gala theme is inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, and as Vogue explained, will "explore the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance, and proliferation of the Black dandy."

read
Why Co-Chair LeBron James Won’t Attend Met Gala 2025

Harris—who is "momola" to husband Doug's kids Cole Emhoff, 30, and Ella Emhoff, 25, with his ex-wife Kerstin Emhoff—has been spending time away from the spotlight since leaving her role alongside President Joe Biden.

Cameron Smith

"My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve," Harris said in a Nov. 6 speech after her defeat. "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting." 

Cameron Smith

"Earlier today, I spoke with President-Elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory," the 60-year-old, who ran for president alongside her VP pick Tim Walz, continued. "I also told him that we will help him and his team with his transition. A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it."

Though she assured the crowd that the fight wasn't over.

"And to the young people who are watching," she shared, "it is OK to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK."

"Here's the thing: Sometimes the fight takes a while," Harris added. "That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place."

As Harris returns to the spotlight, keep reading to see every celeb at the 2025 Met Gala...

Rihanna

In custom Marc Jacobs.

A$AP Rocky

In custom Awge, Bvlgari jewelry and Briony Raymond umbrella.

Zendaya

In custom Louis Vuitton.

Serena Williams

In custom Moncler x EE72 by Edward Enninful and Fred Leighton jewelry.

Kim Kardashian

In custom Chrome Hearts.

Halle Berry

In LaQuan Smith.

Sabrina Carpenter

In custom Louis Vuitton.

Colman Domingo

In Valentino with Boucheron jewelry.

Kylie Jenner

In custom Ferragamo.

Cardi B

In Burberry.

Hailey Bieber

In custom Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Cynthia Erivo

In custom Givenchy.

Kendall Jenner

In Torishéju.

Gigi Hadid

In custom Miu Miu.

Sydney Sweeney

In custom Miu Miu.

Zoe Saldaña

In Thom Browne.

Callum Turner & Dua Lipa

In custom Chanel.

Miley Cyrus

In Alaïa.

Shakira

In custom Prabal Gurung.

Nicole Kidman

In custom Balenciaga Couture and Wolford tights.

Chappell Roan

In a custom look sourced by Paul Tazewell. 

Megan Thee Stallion

In custom Michael Kors Collection and Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Pamela Anderson

In Tory Burch.

Halle Bailey

In Coach.

Charli XCX

In custom Ann Demeulemeester.

Doja Cat

In custom Marc Jacobs and Wolford tights.

Anne Hathaway

In Carolina Herrera.

Diana Ross

In Ugo Mozie.

Lorde

In Thom Browne.

Demi Moore

In custom Thom Browne.

photos
View More Photos From Met Gala 2025 Fashion: Red Carpet Looks

Check out E!'s Met Gala homepage for every must-see look from fashion's biggest night and all the behind-the-scenes moments you might have missed. And watch E! News Tuesday, May 6, at 11 p.m. for a full 2025 Met Gala recap.