Here's Why Jared Leto Wore a Cat Suit to the Met Gala

It's a running joke that too many men wear a boring black tuxedo to the Met Gala, but at this year's Karl Lagerfeld-themed event, Jared Leto went in the complete opposite direction. 

The actor showed up to the storied NYC gala on Monday night wearing a furry white cat suit, complete with a head. The move was meant as an homage to Choupette, the pet cat of Karl Lagerfeld. The late fashion designer's cat is a social media star, and was even rumored to have inherited part of Lagerfeld's fortune after his death in 2019. 

Lizzo was seen hugging Leto soon after he arrived on the carpet without knowing who he was:

“Who is this?” Lizzo mouthed while hugging a human-sized costume of Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette.

The answer: Jared Leto. pic.twitter.com/CBQbe9LlEE

— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) May 2, 2023

He also posed with Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek:

Jared Leto with Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek at #MetGala pic.twitter.com/9nfs3QwpQ8

— 𝑮𝒂𝒃𝒔 🦇 (@MorbyLeto) May 2, 2023

Aubrey Plaza gave Variety her take, saying the actor should have kept his head on longer, while Jimmy Fallon joked that he needed to take a Zyrtec after seeing the outfit:

Aubrey Plaza weighs in on Jared Leto's cat look at the #MetGala. https://t.co/OcPy5cjK1f pic.twitter.com/rkyyFcyCad

— Variety (@Variety) May 2, 2023

Rapper Doja Cat pulled a similar styling move—albeit with less fur—inspiring jokes about their rival outfits: 

doja and jared leto running into each other at the met gala pic.twitter.com/PzfxdvC4x9

— Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) May 2, 2023

Meanwhile, social media was awash with memes about the unique style choice:

jared leto getting ready for the met gala pic.twitter.com/8a6UPJMPi2

— wiLL (@willfulchaos) May 2, 2023

Jared Leto as Camilla the chicken#MetGala pic.twitter.com/zbzhgBlqTB

— Tove Danovich (@TKDano) May 1, 2023

Jared Leto at #MetGala2023 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/UX6HEFsHEc

— 👁️⃤ (@AndyHuskyyy) May 2, 2023

Leto has a history of unorthodox fashion choices at the Met Gala, but his Choupette look is certainly one for the books.