Academy Museum Gala 2026: A-list stars, Taylor Swift’s performance and the best looks from the red carpet

Nell Geraets

October 18, 2026 — 5:10pm

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The Academy Museum Gala has once again delivered one of the most glamorous and star-studded red carpets of the year.

Known as the “Met Gala of the West Coast”, the event raises funds for Los Angeles’ Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Though not quite as prominent as the Grammys or Oscars’ red carpet, the gala has quietly developed a reputation for being refined, elegant and experimental while still packing a major A-list punch.

Jacob Elordi, Taylor Swift, Teyana Taylor and a slew of other A-list stars attended the 2026 Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagic

This year’s event, which marked the sixth to date, welcomed a slew of famous faces, including A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, Pamela Anderson and Andrew Garfield. Australia was well represented with Jacob Elordi, Kylie Minogue and emerging star Joseph Zada.

Though much of what happened inside the museum’s hallowed halls remained a mystery, this year’s gala honoured Mad Max: Fury Road actor Charlize Theron, Sing Sing performer Colman Domingo and renowned director John Carpenter.

It included a closing performance from pop juggernaut Taylor Swift in one of her first major live performances since the end of the Eras Tour in 2024.

In unfortunate news for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the performance, the gala is famously not televised to the public.

This has arguably worked in its favour, generating major intrigue around the mysterious goings-on inside the event, and offering privacy for the celebrities in attendance – a rarity these days.

Here are the looks from some of the night’s biggest stars.

Taylor SwiftTaylor Swift channels Cinderella in baby blue Dior.FilmMagicColman DomingoColman Domingo is pure class in Valentino.Getty ImagesKendall JennerKendall Jenner champions the polka dot at the 6th Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicTeyana Taylor
It’s corset galore for Teyana Taylor at the Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicJacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi channelled James Bond in his Bottega Veneta suit… A clue, perhaps?FilmMagicHailey Bieber
Baby pink was the colour of the day for Hailey Bieber and her Chanel dress.Getty ImagesSabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter stuns in a cut-out blue dress.Getty ImagesConnor StorrieConnor Storrie could stop traffic in his Saint Laurent ensemble.Getty ImagesRoséRosé wore a sheer custom black dress by Saint Laurent at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesKim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian hops on-board the old Hollywood glamour train.Getty ImagesAndrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield rocks long locks at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesKylie Minogue
Australia’s queen of pop Kylie Minogue at the Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicKate Hudson
Kate Hudson glows in a custom Armani Privé gown.FilmMagicA$AP RockyA$AP Rocky looks as dapper as ever in Chanel.Getty ImagesCharlize Theron
Charlize Theron in Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann.FilmMagicPamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson looks radiant in her make-up-free look at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesAlexander SkarsgårdYou can always count on Alexander Skarsgård to strike a look on a red carpet.Getty ImagesMikey MadisonMikey Madison pops among a sea of otherwise relatively muted colours.Getty ImagesJoseph Zada
Rising Sydney star Joseph Zada attends the Academy Museum Gala for the first time.Getty ImagesEmily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski stuns in a form-fitting red gown.Getty ImagesInde Navarrette
We’re obsessed with Obsession star Inde Navarrette’s polka-dotted dress.FilmMagicAmanda SeyfriedAmanda Seyfried is radiant in a Prada gown at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty Images