As Heated Rivalry fans predicted, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie both made their Met Gala debuts on May 4.
Even before the actors were spotted flexing their fashion muscles in New York City earlier this weekend, the internet declared them “shoe-ins” to score invites to the most exclusive fashion event of the year. Consider their past six months of front-row appearances, runway debuts, and industry red carpets warm-ups to the sartorial championships. Back in February, Williams was earned a coveted “Friend of the House” title at Balenciaga, starring in their Heart and Body campaign. Meanwhile, Storrie is an official ambassador for Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.
So trust, they were both more than prepared for the big game, despite attending with rival fashion houses. On the first Monday in May 2026, Storrie was the first to step out first in a black Saint Laurent suit with a polka dot Lavallière blouse featuring a long, billowing train.
On the actual Met steps, Storrie got cheeky with fellow guest Katy Perry, whose own face was covered by a white and chrome headpiece that’s giving fencing match in space. He then took off the Saint Laurent suit jacket altogether, showing off his arms and highlighting his surprising polka-dot halter top. In those photos, you can clearly see his Saint Laurent look was accented by heirloom-worthy diamond and rubellite brooch by Tiffany & Co.
While Storrie was on the carpet, Williams was still getting ready at the Mark Hotel, where he posed for some pre-Met Gala photos alongside I Love LA star Odessa A’zion. Keeping the rest of his look hidden underneath a white robe, Williams gave photographers a sneak peek at his dramatic makeup look inspired by Black Swan.
Odessa A’zion and Hudson Williams at The Mark Hotel before the 2026 Met Gala: “Costume Art” on May 4, 2026.
WWD/Getty Images
The big outfit reveal was saved for the museum, where Williams debuted a powder blue Balenciaga suit with black trim and embellishments. The look itself is allegedly inspired by an archival boléro by Cristóbal Balenciaga circa 1947. But please, don’t let that distract you from the chic diamond pinky ring and single hoop earring.
Hudson Williams attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Arka on May 04, 2026.
John Shearer
This year’s Met Gala—co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour—celebrates the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s latest fashion exhibit, “Costume Arka,” highlighting “the centrality of the dressed body in the museum’s vast collection.” Guests, however, were expected to reinterpret the theme into a more personal declaration. With the dress code “Fashion Is Arka,” invitees were tasked with expressing “their own relationship to fashion as an embodied artform.”
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie did just that while hitting the carpet with the confidence of stars who’ve walked the steps a dozen times. For that alone, they’re already in the running for Met Gala Rookies of the Year.
