Where most showings of the annual event hone in on the ridiculous aspects of the high fashion world, 2021 gave us something else. In the midst of a global pandemic, designers, stars and attendees chose to use the event as a return to normality rather than an opportunity to dive into the flamboyant. With the theme of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” celebrating all things American fashion, event-goers took a rather liberal approach to the brief. Some, more than others.

Rapper Nicki Minaj chose to boycott the event over its vaccination policy, instead saying she was still doing “research” into the vaccination. The tweet spawned a plethora of Nick Minaj memes, many showing the 38-year-old performing science experiments from the comfort of her monster mansion, as she continues to dive into the microbial aspects of modern medicine. But the Superbass singer’s absence wasn’t the only controversy.

With a reduced guest list this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, event organisers decided to go rogue. A number of stalwarts didn’t get the nod, while a new breed of celebrity took over. Not actors, singers or performers – Instead, fashion’s biggest night was dominated by TikTokers and Instagram influencers. Addison Rae, Emma Chamberlain, and Dixie D’Amelio got an invite to the event, which was sponsored by Instagram, prompting many to question if this was indeed, the death of celebrity culture.

As she has a habit of doing, Kim Kardashian stole the show this year, and not for the right reasons. Arriving in an all-black Balenciaga bodysuit, the 40-year-old model was practically unrecognisable. Her face was covered, no skin on display and little to comment on, the outfit was designed to be a major talking point, and it didn’t disappoint. Many spectators were quick to point out that it might not even be Kim under there at all. With no way of knowing just who was under the black body suit, some viewers suggest she may have just dialled it in and got a body double. Of course, meme-lords took this theory and ran with it, pumping out some hilarious Kim Kardashian Met Gala memes, with references to Harry Potter‘s Dementors and the creature from Alien. Harsh, but fair.

Needless to say, most weren’t tuning in for the controversy, it was all about the clothes, looks and of course, those sweet Met Gala memes. From the weird AF horse costume to Timothée Chalamet’s Converse and sweatpants get-up, there was a near endless supply of content on hand just waiting to be turned into a funny Met Gala meme. Naturally, the internet delivered. Here is a list of the best Met Gala memes on the web.