Serena Williams is branded ‘cheap’ for wearing VERY revealing number to Anna Wintour’s pre-Met Gala party
Serena Williams was branded ‘cheap’ and ‘tacky’ for wearing a provocative look to Anna Wintour’s pre-Met Gala dinner in New York City on Sunday.
The 44-year-old tennis icon turned heads upon arrival in a backless, red sequined gown that featured a striking asymmetrical silhouette and bold open-side design.
The bold look, which she paired with black Louboutin heels, revealed her legs as well as part of her hips.
She wore her platinum blonde hair in loose, waist-length waves that cascaded down her back.
The athlete was joined by sister Venus Williams, 45, who co-chaired the Met Gala this year, as well as Beyonce and Nicole Kidman; Nicole Kidman also attended the party.
Fans took to social media to criticize Serena’s ‘terrible’ appearance, with one writing that she ‘looks cheap’.
Serena Williams, 44, was branded ‘cheap’ and ‘tacky’ for wearing a very revealing look to Anna Wintour’s pre-Met Gala dinner in New York on Sunday
‘Cheap, tacky and vulgar,’ someone else summed up the outfit.
Another said: ‘Serena… oops your booty cheek is hanging out.’
‘Serena looks terrible. ‘Venus looks amazing,’ chimed in another.
‘If he has stylists and fires them, he needs to hire a team because this is a huge deficiency.’
‘F! Big fat F! There’s so much going on that I don’t know where to start. There was an unfortunate underwear flash while getting out of the car. An awkward tug of getting her underwear off her ass. Ugly non-high leg slit. Half-open cheek for good measure. Oh Serena….’
‘Oh Dear – this is an unfortunate dress…..’ added another.
‘Venus [heart emoji]. Serena, not so much. That blonde hair and dress must be amazing.’
‘What a terribly vulgar image, an outfit that does not suit her age and body shape, an outfit that is very vulgar and definitely does not suit any class. It really sucks.”
Another fan called it an ‘unpleasant fit’.
The tennis icon turned heads upon arrival in a backless, red sequined gown that featured a striking asymmetrical silhouette and bold open-side design.
The bold look, which she paired with black Louboutin heels, revealed her legs as well as part of her hips.
She wore her platinum blonde hair in loose, waist-length waves that cascaded down her back.
Fans reacted to Serena’s ‘terrible’ appearance on social media, with one writing that she ‘looks cheap’
Serena’s sister Venus dazzled in a sleeveless, beaded black and red dress at Sunday’s party.
She was accompanied by her elegant husband, Andrea Preti, who wore a dark suit.
Other stars of the party included newly engaged Zoe Kravitz, 37, Sabrina Carpenter, 26, and fashion icon Donatella Versace, 71.
This year’s exhibition, which aims to showcase the Met’s expanded new Conde M Nast Galleries, was made possible by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 62, and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, 56, who are lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs.
Bezos, holding hands with his wife on the way to dinner before the Met Gala, looked stylish in his gray suit and black button-up shirt.
Meanwhile, Sanchez looked chic in a dark red jacket and long skirt with black high-heeled shoes.
Allegedly, the power couple paid $10 million for the privilege of hanging out with former Vogue editor-in-chief Wintour and a long list of other stars. Page Six.
Serena frequently attends the Met Gala and previously co-chaired the event in 2019.
She even announced her second pregnancy on the Met Gala red carpet in 2023.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, falls on the first Monday in May each year.
Serena’s 45-year-old sister Venus Williams, who co-chaired this year’s Met Gala with Beyonce and Nicole Kidman, stunned with her sleeveless beaded black-red dress at the party.
She was accompanied by her stylish husband, Andrea Preti, who wore a dark suit.
Serena frequently attends the Met Gala and previously co-chaired the event in 2019 (pictured). She even announced her second pregnancy on the Met Gala red carpet in 2023.
Anna Wintour has chaired the Costume Institute charity, colloquially known as the Met Gala, for more than 30 years; Seen at the 2025 Met Gala
The theme of this year’s event, considered the Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets, is ‘The Art of Costume’ and the dress code is ‘Fashion is Art’.
The dress code calls on A-list participants to explore how designers use the human body as a blank canvas.
The New York City museum will pair historical and contemporary clothing from the Costume Institute for the exhibition, which will be divided into three categories: the classical and naked body, aging and pregnant bodies, and the anatomical body.
The Art of Costume will run from May 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, following the Met Gala on May 4.
The 2026 Met Gala marks an important moment because it marks Wintour’s first since stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years.
Wintour has been incredibly hands-on at the Met Gala over the years, and is known for making it a flamboyant A-list event loved by celebs like Rihanna, the Kardashians, Blake Lively, Zendaya, and more.
