Diana Ross made a fabulous grand entrance at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday night – and one star who was sure to let that happen was Zendaya.
The Marvel actress, 28, who wore a custom Louis Vuitton three-piece white suit for the occasion, was seen patiently waiting on the carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art behind music legend Ross.
And this is a perfect lesson in how to gracefully navigate a situation when the hot glare of the spotlight is on you in front of the world’s press.
I’m Coming Out singer Ross, 81, was attending her first Met Gala in over 20 years, having last graced the famous steps in a red gown in 2003.
For 2025, she oozed glamour in a crystal-embellished floor-length gown, paired with a white satin feather-trimmed cape with a dramatic 18-foot train that was embellished with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren, according to Vogue.
Ross finished off her look, which was designed in collaboration with her son Evan Ross and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie, with a matching wide-brimmed white hat, fully covered in feathers, and chandelier-style drop earrings.
Unsurprisingly, she wowed many an attendee at the prestigious fundraising event, and that included Zendaya.
In a clip captured from the carpet and shared on social media, the star was praised for quietly standing back and looking on admiringly while Motown icon Ross, who rocked Glastonbury with her set in 2022, had her moment in the spotlight.
She waited as Ross and her 36-year-old son Evan posed for pictures and then held back even as publicists and photographers directed her, beaming as Ross – let’s face it – completely owned the event’s blue carpet.
Zendaya also had a warm exchange with Evan as stepped out the frame to leave his mum to a few outfit tweaks and further photographs, touching his arm as they negotiated the photographers on the carpet.
‘Zendaya is literal perfection – in class and style!’ praised one fan – referencing her look and gracious behaviour – as @dinsycummins added: ‘Zendaya is a gem!’
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‘Respecting your elders is what you’re supposed to do. Brrrrravo, Zendaya,’ chimed in Jenn Gee, as @melissa.tillery.311 observed: ‘That’s a class act.’
‘I’ve never seen Zendaya pale in comparison to anyone but the one and only Diana Ross, now that’s rarefied air right there,’ commented Delia. ‘She is legendary and she looked like a Queen. Zendaya looks amazing too.’
The two-time Emmy winner for Euphoria later had her own chance to shine on the carpet in her outfit, which beautifully reflected this year’s theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style with a dress code of ‘Tailored for You’.
She attended without fiancé Tom Holland, as has become custom for the couple, although the Spider-Man actor, also 28, was snapped leaving the hotel where Zendaya had got ready earlier on Monday.
He has never appeared at the event with her, with the couple avoiding attending each other’s red carpets too unless they are in a project together – such as Sir Christopher Nolan’s upcoming star-studded adaptation of The Odyssey.
He recently explained why to Men’s Health, stating: ‘Because it’s not my moment, it’s her moment, and if we go together, it’s about us.’
It was instead more of a moment for Zendaya and the other man in her life – longtime stylist Law Roach, who has worked with the former Disney Channel star since 2011, when she was just 14.
Tickets for the Met Gala cost $75,000 (£56,227) per plate and this year’s proceedings were hosted by co-chairs Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, father-to-be A$AP Rocky and absent LeBron James, who worked alongside Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
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