• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Style

The behind-the-scenes Met Gala scoop on Katy Perry's wings, Rihanna's 'papal tiara' and Madonna's performance

6:57
Inside the 2018 Met Gala
Justin Lane/EPA/Rex/Shutterstock
ByAndrea Tuccillo
May 08, 2018, 6:20 PM

Katy Perry’s angel wings, Rihanna’s “papal tiara,” and a surprise performance by Madonna made this year’s Met Gala -- held Monday night in New York City -- a night to remember.

Vogue’s Accessories and Special Projects Director Selby Drummond gave ABC News the behind-the-scenes scoop on the Gala's boldest fashion statements, inspired by the theme "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”

The theme seemed custom-made for Madonna, the queen of religious imagery, and she didn’t disappoint. Her performance at the gala was “breathtaking,” said Drummond.

“She came down the stairs with an incredible display of monks and backup singers and she did ‘Like a Prayer’ and it was just unbelievable,” she added.

As for Madonna's Jean Paul Gaultier look – which included a black gown, black veil and cross-laden crown -- Drummond noted that it was “quite demure” for Madonna but "a very interesting take on the theme.”

Madonna attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 7, 2018, in New York.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Related Articles

Beyonce, Gaga and more skip 2018 Met Gala

Related Articles

Inside the exclusive Met Gala 2018 with Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and more

Rihanna and Perry also had fun with the theme; Perry sported a pair of massive angel wings and Rihanna donned a “papal tiara” with her Margiela couture outfit.

Drummond said Perry took the wings off once she headed inside the museum.

“She told me that she has never had to balance like that in her life and that as she was on her way up the stairs at the entrance, if someone would have touched her, she would have tipped right over,” Drummond said.

PHOTO: Rihanna arrives for the 2018 Met Gala, May 7, 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Rihanna arrives for the 2018 Met Gala, May 7, 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute. The Gala's 2018 theme is Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images

As for Rihanna, her papal tiara was so snug, it caused the singer some discomfort.

“It was really tight, it was stuck on her head and she had a bit of a headache by the end of the day but she was happy she went all the way,” Drummond said. “She always takes a risk and it always turns out really well.”

Related Topics

  • Met Gala

Up Next in Style—

Stylish sunglasses for every budget: Popular styles from Quay, Reformation, Ray-Ban and more

May 16, 2025

Capris are back: How to style and where to shop the trend

May 12, 2025

Nicole Kidman, Kelsea Ballerini and more looks from the 2025 ACM Awards

May 9, 2025

Paris Hilton calls her new skin care serum the 'Benjamin Button effect' in a bottle

May 8, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News