NEW YORK – Move over, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian: A new face has fans flipping over her grand Met Gala entrance.
US gymnast Nia Dennis arrives for the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York.
US gymnast Nia Dennis arrives at the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York.
Gymnast Nia Dennis attends the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Nia Dennis and the Brooklyn United marching band attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.
Gymnast Nia Dennis and the Brooklyn United Marching Band attend the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Gymnast Nia Dennis and the Brooklyn United Marching Band attend the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Gymnast Nia Dennis attends the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Gymnast Nia Dennis attends the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Nia Dennis attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.
Nia Dennis attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York.
Nia Dennis (right) attends the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
Ella Emhoff, Julia Garner and Nia Dennis attend the 2021 Met Gala celebrating "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City.
According to The Associated Press and Vogue, former UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis, whose Black culture-inspired floor exercises have been going viral since 2020, kicked off the festivities Monday at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with a red carpet tumbling routine as the Brooklyn United Marching Band played “Uptown Funk” and other songs.
“This is how we have fun. This is how we perform,” Dennis told Vogue of the routine, directed by Raja Feather Kelly and Rachel Chavkin. “This is how we get crazy. This is Black entertainment.”
The 22-year-old, clad in a blue bodysuit by Adidas by Stella McCartney, wasn’t the only gymnast at the gala. Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles, 24, wore an 88-pound gown by Area and Athleta to the event, according to the AP. Meanwhile, Biles’ teammate Sunisa Lee, who won the individual all-around in Tokyo, lit up the red carpet in a shimmery gold top and long skirt.
Valentina Sampaio attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Anna Wintour attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Maisie Williams attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tom Ford attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Keke Palmer attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Timothee Chalamet attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Brooklyn Beckham, left, and Nicola Peltz attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Julia Garner attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Heron Preston attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Adam Mosseri, left, and Monica Mosseri attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
David Byrne attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Eva Chen attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Leon Bridges attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Julia Carey, left, and James Corden attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Bee Carrozzini attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Adrien Brody, left, and Georgina Chapman attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ilana Glazer attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Amanda Gorman attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Emma Chamberlain attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Alicia Quarles attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rachel Smith attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Dan Levy attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nia Dennis attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nina Ghaibi, left, and Felix Auger Aliassime attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Mock attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Sophia Roe attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ella Emhoff attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Members of The Brooklyn United Marching Band perform at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nia Dennis and the Brooklyn United marching band attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lily Aldridge attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Quannah Chasinghorse attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tyler Mitchell attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kate Hudson attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lupita Nyong’o attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Natalia Bryant attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Giveon attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Anja Rubik attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Sunisa Lee attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Zoe Kravitz attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
A$AP Rocky attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Regina King attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Harris Reed, left, and Iman attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Dev Hynes attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Carey Mulligan attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Billie Eilish attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Megan Fox attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kristen Stewart attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lil Nas X attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Leslie Grace attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Joan Smalls attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kehlani attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tory Burch attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Leslie Grace attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Jordan Alexander, left, and Christopher John Rogers attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Gigi Hadid attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tessa Thomspon attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Chloe Fineman attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Grimes attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Nyjah Huston attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rose, left, and Anthony Vaccarello attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kendall Jenner attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Laura Mulleavy, left, Kate Mulleavy attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Indya Moore attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kehlani attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Shawn Mendes, left, and Camila Cabello attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Naomi Osaka attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Gabrielle Union attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lily-Rose Depp attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
J Balvin, left, and Symone attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
