Sydney Sweeney’s Risky 'Tone-Deaf' Met Gala Look Sparks Online Uproar

It’s the biggest night in fashion, but Sydney Sweeney’s Met Gala appearance has left fans wondering if she got the memo.

The "Euphoria" and "Anyone But You" star arrived at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City in what should have been a show-stopping moment.

Instead, Sydney Sweeney's look flopped pretty hard, according to fans.

Sweeney hit the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing a simple black, cut-out gown, a far cry from the bold, theatrical styles the Met Gala is known for. And with this year’s powerful theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," meant to honor the legacy of Black dandyism and its ties to the Harlem Renaissance and post-Emancipation era, fans were expecting a lot more.

Let’s just say, after seeing her look, the internet did not hold back.

“Crashing totally,” one user wrote bluntly on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, while another piled on with, “Boring. Out of theme. Bye.”

Another disappointed viewer chimed in with, “I fell asleep, yawn.” And the criticisms didn’t stop there.

"I don’t get the look," one user posted, with another adding, "Did she even try?"

Every year on the first Monday in May, Hollywood’s A-list collides with the fashion world in a glitzy, invite-only bash curated by Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

The red carpet transforms into a theatrical runway, where couture meets commentary, and the stakes are high. From jaw-dropping silhouettes to meticulous historical references, this is the night stars aim to cement their status as fashion icons.

But this year’s theme, drawn from Monica L. Miller’s acclaimed 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity," isn’t just about slaying a look. It’s about honoring the deeply rooted, expressive tradition of Black fashion that emerged post-slavery and blossomed during the Harlem Renaissance, a movement rich with symbolism, pride, and individuality.

So when fans saw Sweeney roll up in what many viewed as a “safe” dress, frustration bubbled over.

"Talk about tone-deaf," one user said as another expressed, "Wow. For Sydney Sweeney, this is completely underwhelming."

The online reaction was swift, brutal, and relentless, especially given how many attendees embraced the theme through bold tailoring, extravagant embellishments, and meaningful storytelling through fashion.

While some tried to defend her with “she looks beautiful regardless” and "dress is beautiful but not on theme" comments, others argued that beauty wasn’t enough on a night meant to push fashion boundaries and celebrate cultural history.

Sweeney has been on a red carpet hot streak in recent years, with designers clamoring to dress her for premieres and campaigns. But this Met moment may go down as a rare miss for the rising star.

Meanwhile, the rest of the star-studded guest list leaned all the way into the theme.

Venus Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Pamela Anderson each brought their own flair to the 2025 Met Gala red carpet.

Venus turned heads in a vibrant green minidress that highlighted her statuesque frame, pairing it with a dramatic green coat trimmed with black detailing on the sleeves and neckline.

Whoopi showed off her sleek new figure, previously credited to the weight loss drug Mounjaro, in a chic black suit dress, layered with a white coat and topped with a statement top hat.

Meanwhile, Pamela embraced a more natural aesthetic, wearing soft, toned-down makeup and debuting a shorter hairstyle. She completed her effortlessly elegant look with a sparkling silver gown that shimmered under the lights.

Others, however, didn’t quite land on the best-dressed list.

Author Jill Kargman opted for a bold and dramatic ensemble, arriving in a long velvet polka-dot dress with puffed sleeves and a contrasting white collar, accessorized with short sheer gloves to match the theme.

Model Heidi Klum kept things simple in a black gown featuring white embroidery along the sides, though the long train proved tricky, as she appeared to stumble over it more than once.

Viral influencer Emma Chamberlain took a risk in a revealing, pinstriped suit-style dress with daring cutouts at the waist and an open back. She finished off the edgy look with sheer gloves and a pair of small, round glasses.