Katy Perry AI Images At The Met Gala Fool The Internet

Katy Perry has been missed for two Met Galas in a row. However, when photos of the singer and American Idol judge went viral of her attendance during Monday night's (May 6) Met, we thought we missed her arrival.

Once we saw two photos of Perry, 39, we knew it was fake. AI generated images of the artist, who is known for her over-the-top stage and Met Gala looks, were so realistic-looking, it fooled the internet -- and even her mom!

The "Firework" singer clarified on Instagram last night that she wasn't in New York City for fashion's biggest night with the caption: "couldn’t make it to the MET, had to work." The first image featured Perry wearing a floral ballgown with voluminous, long black hair. Green feathery "moss" decorated the ends of her cascading train.

What made this first image an obvious fake was the carpet. This year's theme being "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," the carpet was white in the center with a tie-dye mossy grass effect around the edges.

Perry hasn't been to the Met Gala since 2022 when the theme was "Gilded Glamour," where she wore a layered black and nude mesh and lace Oscar de la Renta dress.

Another image, which we thought was the better of the two viral edits, featured Perry wearing her hair in a wet look worn down, with a bronze metal corset featuring a giant key in the center. Her skirt was a high-low style of vines and white flowers.

The Katy Perry AI images were viewed millions of times on X (formerly Twitter), and eventually made their way to Perry's mom, Mary. Sharing a screenshot of their text conversation, her mother said, "Ha Feather! Didn’t know you went to the Met. What a gorgeous gown. You look like the Rose Parade, you are your own float lol." Perry hilariously replied: “lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE!”

In the last slide, Perry gave fans the reason what work held her up -- creating new music! Fans shared their excitement in her comments section. One person said, "OMG U WERE AT THE STUDIO?????" Perez Hilton commented, "We need a dance album, sis!!!" A third said, "oh kp6 is coming… we forgive you." One fan stated, "We're starving for new music mother."

The pop star wasn't the only celebrity whose likeness was mimicked by AI, tricking fans into thinking that they were there. Other notably missing stars and upgraded looks of those in attendance include Rihanna (who was sick with the flu), Dua Lipa (who was already there), and Lady Gaga (who hasn't been to the met since 2019).

It has been five years since Zendaya last graced the Met Gala's highly-anticipated fashion event. The 27-year-old superstar is set to co-chair this year's Met Gala, with the theme being "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."

The ball's theme will "reactivate the sensory capacities of masterworks in the Museum’s collection through first-hand research, conservation analysis, and diverse technologies—from cutting-edge tools, artificial intelligence, and computer-generated imagery to traditional formats of x-rays, video animation, light projection, and soundscapes."

Hundreds of garments and accessories spanning four centuries will be presented by the stars, "visually united by iconography related to nature, which will serve as a metaphor for the fragility and ephemerality of fashion and a vehicle to examine the cyclical themes of rebirth and renewal." The dress code for the guests is called "The Garden of Time." It is inspired by a short story of the same title written by J.G. Ballard in 1962.

The 2024 Met Gala hosts joining Zendaya are Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth. They follow last year's star-studded hosts: Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Wintour has run the Met Gala since 1995.

The Gala is a highly exclusive fundraising benefit that serves as an opening celebration for the Institute's annual fashion exhibit. Following the event, the exhibition runs for several months. The 2024 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 6, in New York City at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Zendaya has attended the Met Ball five times.

Zendaya has been a Zen-slaya on the red carpet for years. It seems fitting that the Challengers star’s name means “giving thanks” in the language of the African Shona tribe because that’s what we do every time we see her turn a piece of clothing into a work of art.

She was born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman in Oakland, California, to teacher parents Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman on September 1, 1996. Her father is African-American, while her mother has German and Scottish ancestry; she is the youngest of five older siblings.

Z began her career as a child model working for Macy’s and Old Navy, and as a backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up. She made her film breakthrough in 2017, starring as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Zendaya would reprise that role for the latter Spider-Man live-action films starring opposite her beau, Tom Holland.