Teyana Taylor made headlines at the 2026 Met Gala not only for her striking outfit but also for a relatable mishap: she left her phone in the car and was unable to share her glamorous look with her daughters. The star, who is known for her stylish appearances, expressed her frustration playfully to PEOPLE on the steps of the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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On May 4, the 35-year-old actress and musician, who shares two daughters, Junie, aged 10, and Rue, aged 5, with her ex-husband Iman Shumpert, revealed her little communication hiccup. “No, I didn’t text them yet!” she said when asked if she had given her children a glimpse of her dazzling Met Gala outfit. “I left my phone in the Sprinter,” she explained, referring to the vehicle that brought her to the high-profile event. “I’m upset about it!” she quipped, showcasing her humorous side even in a moment of minor frustration.
Taylor’s absence of a phone did not overshadow her presence at the gala, where she played a role on the host committee. This year’s theme was “Fashion Is Art,” inspired by the museum’s upcoming spring exhibition, “Costume Art.” In honour of this theme, she donned a show-stopping silver fringed gown by Tom Ford that caught the eye with its intricate details and created a striking silhouette as she moved.
Ahead of the event, Taylor shared her thoughts on the importance of her outfit, stating to Vogue, “The outfit is always very, very important to me.” She described the unique gown, saying, “It looks like it’s melting as I move… I like to think of it as the ‘ghost of a body,’ it appears and disappears, appears and disappears as I’m moving.” This concept added an element of dynamism to her already impressive attire.
Taylor has made a name for herself as a fashionable attendee at the Met Gala, having garnered attention in previous years as well. Last year’s theme centred on “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” where she wowed onlookers with a bold, tailored pinstripe suit accentuated by a padded cape. Collaborating with Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, Taylor showcased a style that emphasised her preference for tailored looks even in the absence of a formal dress theme.
Once she retrieves her phone, one can only imagine the excitement as she shares photos of the grand ensemble with her daughters. Earlier this year, she drew parallels between her role as a parent and a Disney character. “When I am home and when we are together, I’m in such mommy mode that it’s almost like Hannah Montana,” she told PEOPLE during the TIME Women of the Year Gala in West Hollywood in March.
“My daughters understand it,” she continued, explaining the duality of her life as both a star and a mother. “Here’s carpet mommy. But then here is mommy, when she’s home, we’re going to the trampoline park, we’re cooking, we’re playing, we’re drawing.” She conveyed her pride in managing the balance between her public persona and private family life.
Taylor expressed admiration for her eldest daughter, Junie, whom she described proudly as a “leader.” She explained, “She doesn’t walk in saying, ‘My mom needs this,’ or ‘I’m this.’ I love that balance.” It’s clear that both Junie and Rue are not only comfortable with their mother’s celebrity status but also possess their own confidence, often shining bright when they accompany Taylor at events.
As one of the highlights of the 2026 Met Gala, Teyana Taylor’s elegant ensemble and her relatable phone mishap only added to her charm. Fans eagerly await the moment she reconnects with her daughters, sharing the memories captured through the lens of her unexpected tech oversight. In the meantime, her ability to juggle her dual lives continues to inspire both her followers and fellow parents alike.