For many fans, Bad Bunny is still synonymous with his headline-grabbing Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year, where the Puerto Rican star owned the stage with a Spanish-only set and the kind of energetic, carefree presence he’s become known for.
But his appearance at the 2026 Met Gala — the annual celebration of art and fashion — took a completely different direction, with the singer opting to dramatically age himself for the green-and-tan carpet.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio stepped into a time-shifted transformation, concealing his youthful features beneath meticulously crafted prosthetics that created the look of an older version of himself, complete with white hair, pronounced wrinkles, and a weathered complexion.
The choice aligned with this year’s theme, which spotlighted the many ways the human form is interpreted across fashion and art, in conjunction with the Costume Institute’s 2026 exhibition.
Designed by Mike Marino — known for creating some of Heidi Klum’s most unforgettable Halloween transformations — the effect was built through careful, hands-on artistry. Each line, sag, and sun spot was individually sculpted, with Marino working closely with Bad Bunny to imagine how time might naturally reshape his face, neck, and hands over the decades.
The look stood in stark contrast to his past Met Gala appearances, where he’s played with everything from glowing, fresh-faced beauty and dramatic hair volume to the precisely styled kiss curls he wore for last year’s tribute to Black style.
Still, regardless of the theme, he tends to arrive with intent — and this year was no exception, delivering a transformation designed to spark discussion as much as admiration.
He paired the prosthetics with a custom all-black tuxedo that he helped design in collaboration with Zara, using sharp tailoring and classic styling to underscore both the elegance of older age and the enduring impact of a clean, confident silhouette.
And in keeping with Met Gala tradition, the look also nodded to fashion history: his pussy-bow collar referenced Charles James’ 1947 ‘bustle’ gown, a piece held in the Costume Institute’s permanent collection.
Outside of the outfits, the Met Gala is also known for its strict rules — even as photographers swarm the carpet for the biggest fashion night of the year. Some attendees, however, are likely frustrated by the fact they’re not allowed to document the evening themselves, as selfies are officially off-limits.
Anna Wintour introduced the no-selfie policy in 2015, aiming to keep what happens inside the event private and tightly controlled.
Even so, a handful of guests have broken the rule over the years, typically by sneaking into the bathroom for a quick snapshot that later finds its way onto social media.
Food is also carefully managed, with certain ingredients reportedly prohibited — not due to any deeper meaning, but because they can create unwanted red-carpet chaos.
Chives, for example, can be a nightmare if they get stuck in someone’s teeth before photos, while onion and garlic are said to be avoided to reduce the risk of bad breath. Other messy dishes are also discouraged to prevent spills on delicate, high-fashion looks.
Wintour has addressed the rumors that the likes of onion, chives and garlic are banned from the event, telling Today host Jenna Bush Hager in 2024: “Well, those are three things I’m not particularly fond of, and so yes, that’s true.”
And if you’re hoping to switch places at dinner, don’t count on it. Once you’re seated, you’re expected to stay put — even if the person beside you is someone you’d rather avoid.
The seating plan is treated as a serious part of the night, with careful strategy and advance planning shaping who sits where.
“A lot of thought goes into who sits next to who, if they sat together last year, if they’ve sat next to each other at other events, so much goes into it, it’s shocking,” Sylvana Ward Durrett, former director of special projects at Vogue, said in the 2016 documentary The First Monday in May.
Smoking is also prohibited, with the rule reportedly re-emphasized after images circulated of celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, and Marc Jacobs smoking in the bathrooms in 2017.
Guests the following year were reminded that it’s ‘illegal to smoke in the museum’.
It’s also worth noting that New York City has banned indoor smoking since 2003, and invitations to the event have reiterated the policy in the past.
And for anyone under 18, the guest list is not an option: minors are not permitted to attend.
The restriction was introduced in 2018 — the year of the theme ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’.
A Met Gala spokesperson later confirmed the age restriction was introduced as ‘it’s not an appropriate event for people under 18’.