Let’s be real for a second. The Met Gala is usually a parade of people trying way too hard to look like they aren't trying at all. But when Joey King finally stepped onto those iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art steps in May 2025, she didn't just show up—she basically reset the vibe.
It was her debut. Can you believe that? After years of dominating Netflix and proving she’s got the acting chops in The Act, 2025 was the first time she actually walked the carpet. And she didn't play it safe. Honestly, most people expected a princess gown or something super "Hollywood starlet." Instead, she gave us a masterclass in what happens when you actually read the dress code.
The Suit That Changed Everything
The theme for the 2025 Met Gala was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." While the night was a massive celebration of Black dandyism and the history of the zoot suit, Joey King decided to pay her respects through a custom Miu Miu look that was, frankly, kind of genius.
She wore a forest green (some call it sage, but it had a real depth to it) suit that was literally dripping in "jangly-jangs." That’s the technical term, right? Basically, the entire jacket and trousers were covered in tiny silver mirrors and various brooches. It caught the light in a way that made her look like she was walking through a localized lightning storm.
Underneath the jacket, she rocked a black-and-white checked shirt and a tie that featured a mix of gold and maroon. Now, some critics—looking at you, Glam—thought the cravat area was a bit "muddled." They said it looked like she was hiding a hickey. Harsh? Maybe. But that’s the Met. If you aren't polarizing, you aren't doing it right.
✨ Don't miss: The Voice Miley Cyrus: Why She Sounds Different Now
The Details Most People Missed
It wasn't just the suit.
- The Fragrance: She was actually doused in Delina by Parfums de Marly. Her hairstylist, Rena Calhoun, even used the hair perfume version. Apparently, she smelled like roses and bergamot all night.
- The Hair: Speaking of hair, she went with a honey-blonde tone that perfectly complemented the green of the suit. It was slicked back but had enough volume to not look like she just stepped out of a shower.
- The Jewelry: She kept it relatively "simple" (by Met standards) with Gabriel & Co. pieces. When your suit is literally made of mirrors, you don't need a 50-carat necklace fighting for attention.
Why the Joey King Met Gala Debut Mattered
Before this, the internet was convinced Joey had been at the Met Gala before. There are a ton of "mandela effect" style TikToks claiming she was there in 2023 for the Karl Lagerfeld theme or 2022 for Gilded Glamour.
Spoiler: She wasn't.
Those "leaked" photos you saw were usually high-quality fan edits or people confusing her with other actresses in Oscar de la Renta. The fact that she waited until 2025 to make her entrance felt intentional. She arrived not just as a "teen star," but as a wife (shoutout to Steven Piet, who looked dapper in Prada right beside her) and a serious fashion player.
The 2025 theme, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion, was the first menswear-focused theme since 2003. By Joey leaning into the "dandy" aesthetic with a suit, she showed she understood the assignment better than half the guys there who just wore basic black tuxes.
✨ Don't miss: Is Bill Cosby Out of Prison? What Really Happened and Where He Is Now
The "Hate" vs. The Reality
Joey King gets a weird amount of flak on social media. People call her "theater kid energy," which... okay, maybe? But that energy is exactly what the Met Gala needs. You want someone who is going to commit to the bit.
When she walked the carpet, she wasn't just posing; she was performing. The way those silver embellishments moved was specifically designed for the cameras. It was "bejeweled" in the Taylor Swift sense of the word. Some Reddit threads called it "costumy" or "lifeless," but they’re wrong. It was a literal homage to the zoot suit era—oversized, bold, and unapologetic.
A Quick Breakdown of the 2025 Vibe
| Element | The Choice | The Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Custom Miu Miu | Perfectly aligned with her "cool girl" evolution. |
| Color | Deep Green / Sage | A refreshing break from the sea of black and white. |
| Theme Fit | Tailored Dandyism | 10/10. She actually followed the prompt. |
| Accessories | Gabriel & Co. Jewelry | Smart. Didn't over-clutter the mirrors. |
What Happened Inside?
While we don't get a lot of footage from the actual dinner (Anna Wintour's "no phones" rule is legendary), rumors swirled about a brief, awkward encounter between Joey and Barry Keoghan. Some "tea" accounts claimed there was drama, but honestly, it was probably just two people trying to navigate a room full of 10-foot trains and literal chandeliers.
What we do know is that she spent a good chunk of the night with the Miu Miu "family," including stars like Gigi Hadid. It’s clear she’s officially in the inner circle now.
How to Get the Joey King Aesthetic (Without the Met Price Tag)
You probably don't have a team of Miu Miu artisans ready to sew 500 mirrors onto your blazer. That’s fine. But if you want to channel that 2025 Joey King energy, here is the move:
- Monochromatic Suiting: Find a suit in a non-traditional color. Sage green, dusty rose, or even a deep navy. Wear the whole set. No "mismatched" trousers.
- The Texture Play: Instead of mirrors, look for subtle shimmer or interesting fabrics like velvet or corduroy.
- Hair Perfume: This is the easiest "rich girl" hack. A few spritzes of a floral hair mist (like the Parfums de Marly one she used) makes a bigger impact than you'd think.
- Confidence: The reason Joey's look worked wasn't the price—it was the fact that she looked like she was having the time of her life.
Joey King’s Met Gala journey is just starting. If this was the debut, the 2026 appearance (rumored to be co-chaired by Beyoncé!) is going to be absolutely wild. Keep an eye on her stylist, Jared Eng; they’re clearly cooking up something that’s going to keep the fashion critics talking for years.
💡 You might also like: Juan Sebastián Quintero Becaría: Why the Multi-Hyphenate Star Still Rules Colombian Pop Culture
To really understand the impact of her look, go back and watch the videos of her moving in that suit. The light reflection wasn't an accident—it was a calculated move to ensure that every single photo taken of her that night was literally glowing. That’s how you handle a debut.
Check out the latest red carpet galleries to see how her style compares to her earlier Kissing Booth days—the evolution is honestly pretty impressive.
Next Steps for Your Style Research
- Look up "Zoot Suit History": To understand why Joey's 2025 look was so clever, you have to see the original 1940s references she was nodding to.
- Follow Jared Eng on Instagram: He’s the architect behind her best looks and often posts "behind the scenes" details of how these Met Gala gowns (and suits) are actually constructed.
- Try a Sage Green Blazer: It’s the "it" color of the year for a reason. It’s neutral enough to be wearable but bold enough to stand out in a crowd.