Rachel Zegler has become the subject of online debate after her unusual facial expressions at the 2026 Met Gala left viewers puzzled. The 25-year-old actress attended fashion's biggest night wearing a dramatic Atelier Prabal Gurung gown with a custom silk blindfold mask by Jennifer Behr, a look she later confirmed was inspired by Paul Delaroche's 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey.
Videos circulating on social media showed Zegler repeatedly jutting her jaw forward and grinding it from side to side while posing for photographers outside New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The movements prompted confusion, with some questioning whether she was embodying a character or artistic concept, while others speculated about a medical issue.
This year's Met Gala theme was Costume Art, with a dress code of Fashion Is Art, encouraging guests to explore fashion as an art form and reflect on art history. Some defended Zegler, arguing her expressions were intentional and tied to the theme. One supporter wrote: 'She has a corset facing the incorrect way and a blindfold with anguished facial expressions to exemplify the juxtaposition between wearing a beautiful costume and the pain it requires.'
Zegler has become a divisive figure online following controversy over Disney's live-action Snow White remake, where comments about the original film sparked culture-war debate. As a result, even minor red carpet moments now generate outsized reactions, with the Met Gala appearance quickly becoming another target for critics.
Despite the backlash, some fans found humour in the situation. One user summed up the internet's confusion by writing: 'She's an underbite queen, end of story. Next!'
