25 celebrities you might be surprised to learn have attended the Met Gala over the years

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25 celebrities you might be surprised to learn have attended the Met Gala over the years
  • Each year, the Met Gala is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
  • At last year's event, some spectators were surprised to see YouTubers James Charles and Lily Singh among the celebrity attendees.
  • Other public figures who you might not have expected to see at the Met Gala include Princess Diana in 1996, and Elon Musk in 2018.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Each year, the Met Gala is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. And while the guest list is never exactly the same, certain celebrities have developed reputations as regulars at the event.

However, there are typically a few unexpected guests who attend the ball each year. In 1996, for example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art welcomed actual royalty when Princess Diana visited the gala. And in 2010, Oprah made her one and only appearance at the event.

From Hillary Clinton to Hilary Duff, you might be surprised to learn that these celebrities have attended the Met Gala.

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YouTubers like James Charles made appearances at 2019's Met Gala, which was held on Monday.

YouTubers like James Charles made appearances at 2019's Met Gala, which was held on Monday.
James Charles at the 2019 Met Gala. Taylor Hill/Getty Images

While Charles wasn't the first YouTube star to attend the Met Gala — Liza Koshy was in 2018 — he still surprised audiences when he arrived wearing a top made from safety pins.

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Elon Musk and Grimes attended the 2018 Met Gala.

Elon Musk and Grimes attended the 2018 Met Gala.
Elon Musk and Grimes at the Met Gala 2018 Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The couple wore black-and-white ensembles to the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" event.

Vanessa Hudgens surprised the crowd at the 2015 Met Gala.

Vanessa Hudgens surprised the crowd at the 2015 Met Gala.
Vanessa Hudgens at the 2015 Met Gala. Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images

She arrived at her first Met Gala wearing a bedazzled knee-length gown, which perfectly matched the red carpet.

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Chelsea Clinton has actually attended multiple Met Galas.

Chelsea Clinton has actually attended multiple Met Galas.
Chelsea Clinton at the 2013 Met Gala. Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images

She wore a black-and-gray gown to match the 2013 event's "Punk: Chaos to Couture" theme.

Fergie attended her second Met Gala in 2011.

Fergie attended her second Met Gala in 2011.
Fergie at the 2011 Met Gala. Peter Kramer/AP

The musician hasn't attended a Met Gala since the event's theme was "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty."

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Nicole Richie also attended the 2010 event.

Nicole Richie also attended the 2010 event.
Nicole Richie at the 2010 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

She shone on the red carpet in a sparkling gown with ruffled sleeves.

Penn Badgley was one of many "Gossip Girl" cast members to attend the 2010 Met Gala.

Penn Badgley was one of many "Gossip Girl" cast members to attend the 2010 Met Gala.
Penn Badgley attends the 2010 Met Gala. Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

He wore a classic tuxedo for the occasion, which was themed "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity."

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Oprah made a grand entrance at the 2010 Met Gala.

Oprah made a grand entrance at the 2010 Met Gala.
Oprah at the 2010 Met Gala. Ron Galella/Getty Images

She wore a long-sleeved gown with a ruffled skirt to the event. It was the first and only time she has attended the Met Gala throughout her career.

Justin Timberlake made his Met Gala debut in 2009.

Justin Timberlake made his Met Gala debut in 2009.
Justin Timberlake at the 2009 Met Gala. Philip Ramey Photography, LLC/Getty Images

He then became a regular at the event, attending frequently with his wife, Jessica Biel. However, he hasn't attended since 2012.

Read more: The 35 wildest looks celebrities wore to the 2019 Met Gala

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For "The Model as Muse" Met Gala in 2009, Winona Ryder rocked a black dress with matching tights and heels.

For "The Model as Muse" Met Gala in 2009, Winona Ryder rocked a black dress with matching tights and heels.
Winona Ryder attends the 2009 Met Gala. Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

She previously attended in 2007, but hasn't made an appearance since.

Sarah Silverman donned a polka-dot dress at the 2008 event.

Sarah Silverman donned a polka-dot dress at the 2008 event.
Sarah Silverman at the 2008 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The comedian attended the Met Gala once again in 2014.

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Michelle Trachtenberg also made her sole Met Gala appearance in 2008.

Michelle Trachtenberg also made her sole Met Gala appearance in 2008.
Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 2008 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The "Gossip Girl" actress wore a single-strap dress with a black bodice and gold skirt.

Hilary Duff dazzled at the 2008 Met Gala.

Hilary Duff dazzled at the 2008 Met Gala.
Hilary Duff at the 2008 Met Gala. James Devaney/Getty Images

The event was themed "Superheroes: Fashion And Fantasy," for which Duff wore a sparkling strapless gown.

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Nick Cannon attended the 2006 Met Gala looking dapper.

Nick Cannon attended the 2006 Met Gala looking dapper.
Nick Cannon at the 2006 Met Gala. Sylvain Gaboury/Getty Images

After his first Met Gala, Cannon only attended once more in 2007 with his then-fiancée, Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks.

Also in 2006, Lindsay Lohan walked the Met Gala red carpet.

Also in 2006, Lindsay Lohan walked the Met Gala red carpet.
Lindsay Lohan at the 2006 Met Gala. Sylvain Gaboury/Getty Images

For her first Met Gala appearance, the actress donned a floral black-and-white gown, and strappy black heels.

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Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese turned heads at the 2006 Met Gala.

Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese turned heads at the 2006 Met Gala.
Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese at the 2006 Met Gala. Sylvain Gaboury/Getty Images

The then-married couple arrived wearing matching black ensembles and red lipstick. The event's theme was "AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion."

Jessica Simpson looked charming at the same event.

Jessica Simpson looked charming at the same event.
Jessica Simpson at the 2001 Met Gala Evan Agostini/Getty Images

She attended two more Met Galas in 2005 and 2007, but hasn't been back since.

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2001 was the first — and last — time R&B group 3LW attended the Met Gala.

2001 was the first — and last — time R&B group 3LW attended the Met Gala.
Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton of 3LW at the 2001 Met Gala. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Though the event was themed "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years," Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton of 3LW arrived wearing neon ensembles.

Nicky Hilton also attended that year.

Nicky Hilton also attended that year.
Nicky Hilton at the 2001 Met Gala. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

However, she dressed much more casually than Clinton, and wore a black corset top with a yellow printed skirt.

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While she was a US senator, Hillary Clinton attended the 2001 Met Gala.

While she was a US senator, Hillary Clinton attended the 2001 Met Gala.
Hillary Clinton at the 2001 Met Gala. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

She wore a cheetah-print ball gown with a shiny shawl to the event, which was themed "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years."

Princess Diana made a royal appearance at the Met Gala in 1996.

Princess Diana made a royal appearance at the Met Gala in 1996.
Princess Diana and her friend Liz Tilberis at the 1996 Met Gala. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

She attended the "Christian Dior"-themed event wearing a navy-blue John Galliano dress.

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