Met Gala Co-host Zendaya Criticized for ‘Not Flattering’ 3rd Look despite 1st & 2nd Leaving Fans Speechless

On May 6, 2024, Zendaya, alongside Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth, hosted the highly anticipated Met Gala. Zendaya donned a pastel pink gown that featured a daring deep V-neckline. The floor-length dress flowed elegantly from her thighs down. Adorned with delicate silver beads, the ensemble complemented her physique while maintaining a simple grace.

Known for seamlessly blending bold choices, she styled her hair in a low bun and accessorized with small dangling earrings. Despite the gown’s appeal, Zendaya’s makeup choice diverted attention and stirred up the most commentary.

Online reactions were predominantly focused on her eyebrows or the lack thereof. Some fans noticed she appeared to have shaved or bleached them, leading to a wave of critique.

One user remarked, “She looks ill…and I love her but…she looks ill.” Others were more direct about the makeup, stating, “Makeup is not flattering” and “It’s all ok. But, her shaved eyebrows look not working out for her.”

The absence of her usually prominent eyebrows caused further confusion among fans, with some asking, “Where are her eyebrows?” Another exclaimed, “Zendaya dyed her eyebrows blonde!!?!!” A third tweeted, “The no brows is just not working for zendaya.” Despite the backlash, some tried to remain positive about her overall look. “The eyebrows are throwing me off a little bit, but I love the dress,” a person claimed.

Despite the mixed reactions to her hosting look at the Met Gala, Zendaya received widespread acclaim for red carpet looks. This year’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” was vividly brought to life by the “Spider-Man” actress through her stunning fashion choices.

Zendaya’s first appearance was nothing short of a showstopper. She graced the red carpet in an ocean blue gown designed by Maison Margiela’s John Galliano. The look was completed with a dramatic headpiece by Stephen Jones for Margiela.

The haute couture ensemble was a masterpiece of design, featuring a sage lamé and organza bias-cut dress. The outfit was layered over a duchesse satin corset. In addition, the gown was adorned with bands of hand-painted metallic crin, iridescent organza, and a hand-embroidered corsage.

For her second look, Zendaya delved into the archives of fashion history. She donned a vintage Givenchy couture piece from its Spring 1996 collection. This was one of only two collections designed by Galliano for the house.

The online community were captivated by these two ensembles. Onlookers took to Twitter to express their admiration. One tweet exclaimed, “Stunning as well. She rocked both outfits perfectly.”

“Literally can’t take my eyes off Zendaya. Like wowwwww,” another exclaimed. The praise continued with another tweet, “i have NO. WORDS. THE WOMAN YOU ARE, ZENDAYA [sic].” A fourth proclaimed, “@Zendaya is the queen of fashion and beauty.”

Attending the Met Gala is undoubtedly a nerve-racking experience for Zendaya. This feeling felt most especially during her first appearance at the age of 18.

Despite her ongoing partnership with her stylist since she was 14, the grandeur and the spectacle of the event were both exciting and daunting. After a hiatus of four to five years from the gala, returning in 2024 felt as thrilling and overwhelming as her initial visit.

As a celebrity, praises mixed with criticism is nothing new to Zendaya. Previously, she experienced backlash for her unzipped gown at Paris Fashion Week. Zendaya captured everyone’s attention at the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week. She looked stunning in a white ensemble.

Her gown hugged her figure gracefully to the floor. The dress also featured a bold gold double zipper detail on the front, partially unzipped down her chest and midriff. This created a high slit showcasing her legs.

As a named ambassador for the Parisian fashion house, Zendaya complemented her look with loose hair. She also accessorized with Bulgari pieces and white heels. Her appearance drew significant attention, with some comparing her dress to Elizabeth Hurley’s iconic 1994 Versace safety-pin dress.

Hurley’s outfit remembered for its daring safety-pin design, became a legendary fashion moment. Although Zendaya’s dress sparked a comparison due to its similar leg-revealing feature, opinions varied widely. Some felt the dresses were incomparable, noting differences in style and impact.

Undoubtedly, Zendaya’s distinctive style on the red carpet is influenced by her early experiences. In particular, she credited theater as a big influence. She was immersed in theater from a very young age due to her mother’s job at the California Shakespeare Theater.

Growing up around the theater provided her with a unique perspective on fashion, viewing it not just as a form of attire but as a means of storytelling and expression. The environment became a sanctuary for her, a place filled with creativity and transformation. This is also where she observed the entire process of bringing characters to life through costume.

Zendaya likens her approach to fashion to character creation, a continuation of the creativity seen in her film projects. She views each public appearance and fashion choice as an opportunity to extend the storytelling. It is a particularly important outlet given her self-described introverted and shy personality.