The Jared Leto Met Gala moment from 2023 remains one of the most recognizable celebrity fashion appearances of recent years. Instead of arriving in a conventional designer look, Leto walked the red carpet concealed inside a huge, realistic cat costume inspired by Choupette, the beloved Birman cat of late designer Karl Lagerfeld.
The reveal created immediate curiosity because nobody could initially see who was inside the costume. Leto eventually removed the oversized cat head, confirming his identity and turning the entrance into a theatrical fashion moment. The appearance was closely connected to the evening’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” which celebrated the designer’s career and legacy.
Why Jared Leto Dressed as Choupette
The central idea behind the Jared Leto Met Gala appearance was Karl Lagerfeld’s famous relationship with Choupette. Lagerfeld’s white Birman cat became a recognizable part of his public image and was frequently featured in fashion photography and media coverage.
For the 2023 Met Gala, several guests referenced Choupette in different ways. Doja Cat used feline-inspired makeup and prosthetics with a cat-eared Oscar de la Renta gown, while Lil Nas X incorporated cat references into his silver look. Leto chose the most literal interpretation by becoming Choupette himself.
The choice also suited Leto’s history of theatrical red-carpet appearances. He had already become known for treating the Met Gala as an opportunity for performance as well as fashion. His 2019 appearance, for example, featured a Gucci ensemble accompanied by a replica of his own head.
What Did Jared Leto Wear to the 2023 Met Gala?
The Jared Leto Met Gala costume was a full-body white cat suit designed to resemble Choupette. It included oversized paws, faux fur, whiskers, a pink nose and striking blue eyes. A removable head concealed Leto’s face until he decided to reveal himself.
Vogue described the costume as a larger-than-life bodysuit covered in faux fur and identified Karl Lagerfeld’s eponymous label as the designer of the look.
The construction was more technically involved than an ordinary mascot costume. According to The Guardian, production studio SCPS worked from photographs of Choupette and developed the design to capture the cat’s distinctive appearance. The costume used synthetic fur that was painted to reproduce variations in Choupette’s coloring. It also incorporated battery-powered fans to help cool the wearer.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Met Gala year | 2023 |
| Theme | “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” |
| Character portrayed | Choupette |
| Costume style | Full-body realistic cat suit |
| Key features | Faux fur, blue eyes, whiskers, oversized cat head |
| Designer connection | Karl Lagerfeld’s eponymous label |
| Main purpose | Tribute to Lagerfeld and his famous cat |
The Reveal Made the Look More Memorable
Part of the appeal of the Jared Leto Met Gala entrance was the mystery. From a distance, spectators simply saw a gigantic white cat walking onto the red carpet. The costume completely obscured the identity of its wearer.
Leto eventually removed the cat head and revealed himself, creating a clear punchline to the entrance. British Vogue noted that the costume initially left spectators asking who was inside it before Leto’s identity became clear.
The theatrical reveal transformed what could have been a simple tribute into a piece of red-carpet entertainment. It also demonstrated why unusual Met Gala concepts can attract attention beyond traditional fashion coverage.
💡 Pro Tip:
When researching a celebrity’s Met Gala history, look at both the outfit and the exhibition theme. The strongest appearances often make a direct connection between the clothing and the Costume Institute’s subject rather than simply following a broad dress code.
How the Choupette Look Connected to Karl Lagerfeld
The Jared Leto Met Gala costume made sense within the specific context of the 2023 exhibition. “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” explored the designer’s work across decades, including his influential relationships with fashion houses such as Chanel and Fendi. Choupette was not merely a pet in Lagerfeld’s public persona; she became part of the visual mythology surrounding him.
Leto’s costume therefore worked on two levels. At first glance, it was a humorous celebrity costume. On closer inspection, it was also a reference to one of the most recognizable personal symbols associated with Lagerfeld.
The costume designers reportedly wanted the cat to look more like a real animal than a cartoon mascot. The Guardian reported that Leto specifically wanted the design to capture the “essence” of Choupette, with particular attention paid to the face and eyes.
Jared Leto’s Other Memorable Met Gala Moments
The Jared Leto Met Gala story did not begin with Choupette. He had already developed a reputation for unconventional appearances at fashion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
In 2018, Leto attended the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” exhibition in a Gucci look that incorporated religious imagery. In 2019, during “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” he carried a highly realistic replica of his own head while wearing a dramatic Gucci outfit.
These appearances help explain why the 2023 cat costume attracted so much attention. Leto’s Met Gala fashion has often leaned toward theatrical storytelling rather than simply presenting a traditional formal outfit.
The 2023 appearance also stood out because the costume concealed his identity. That element of surprise gave photographers, fellow celebrities and viewers a reason to watch for the reveal.
Did Jared Leto Attend the 2024 Met Gala?
No. Leto did not attend the 2024 Met Gala. He confirmed before the event that he would miss the gala because he and his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, were on the European leg of their Seasons World Tour. He said he would watch the event from afar.
His absence made the previous year’s Choupette appearance even more relevant to coverage of his Met Gala history. The 2024 event followed a different exhibition and dress code, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and “The Garden of Time,” respectively.
Leto had also joked before the 2024 event that following the Choupette appearance could be difficult because he did not want to diminish that particular moment.
📌 Key Takeaway:
The 2023 Jared Leto Met Gala appearance worked because it combined a recognizable cultural reference, elaborate costume design and a carefully timed reveal. The Choupette costume was unusual, but it was also directly connected to the Karl Lagerfeld theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jared Leto wear to the 2023 Met Gala?
Jared Leto wore a full-body white cat costume representing Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s famous Birman cat. The outfit featured faux fur, oversized paws, whiskers, blue eyes and a large removable cat head. Leto’s face remained hidden until he removed the head during his red-carpet appearance.
Why did Jared Leto dress as Choupette?
He dressed as Choupette because the 2023 Met Gala honored Karl Lagerfeld, whose beloved cat had become closely associated with his public image. Leto’s interpretation was a direct visual tribute to the designer and his famous feline companion.
Who designed Jared Leto’s Met Gala cat costume?
Vogue identified the look with Karl Lagerfeld’s eponymous label, while production details reported by The Guardian describe SCPS as the studio responsible for constructing the elaborate costume. The team used photographs of Choupette to develop its appearance.
Did Jared Leto attend the 2024 Met Gala?
No. Leto skipped the 2024 event because Thirty Seconds to Mars was touring in Europe. He had confirmed beforehand that he would not attend but said he planned to watch the red-carpet festivities from afar.
What other Met Gala look is Jared Leto known for?
One of Leto’s other widely discussed appearances came in 2019, when he wore Gucci and carried a realistic replica of his own head. The surreal accessory became a defining image from that year’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion” gala.
Conclusion
The Jared Leto Met Gala appearance in 2023 succeeded because it was more than an unusual costume. It connected Leto’s theatrical approach to fashion with Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy and Choupette’s distinctive place within that story. The oversized cat suit, hidden identity and final reveal gave the red carpet a memorable piece of performance art while remaining closely tied to the night’s theme.
For readers exploring Leto’s fashion history, the Choupette appearance is especially useful for understanding how celebrity styling at the Met Gala can combine fashion, character, cultural references and spectacle in a single entrance.
