Key Takeaways
- Joshua Henry kicked off the 2026 Met Gala red‑carpet with a high‑energy live performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
- He wore a striking scarlet Bode suit and was backed by a 12‑person choir, eight dancers, and a four‑piece band, under the musical direction of Joseph Abate and choreography of Ellenore Scott.
- The performance began in the Met’s Greek and Roman sculpture galleries, transitioned through the “lunar paradise” Great Hall installation, and culminated on the carpet framed by sweeping wisteria drapes.
- The opening number set an exuberant tone for the evening, showcasing the Gala’s blend of fashion, music, and theatrical spectacle.
- Other notable attendees highlighted in the coverage include pop star Doja Cat, whose look continued the night’s theme of bold, avant‑garde style.
Joshua Henry’s arrival at the 2026 Met Gala was anything but subdued. As the lights dimmed in the museum’s iconic halls, the Tony‑winning actor and singer—currently starring in Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime—stepped into the Greek and Roman sculpture galleries, where the ancient marble statues seemed to lean in to witness what was about to unfold. Dressed head‑to‑toe in a vivid scarlet suit crafted by the avant‑garde label Bode, Henry cut a commanding figure against the muted tones of the classical backdrop. The suit’s sharp tailoring and luxurious fabric hinted at both historic gravitas and contemporary daring, a visual metaphor for the evening’s theme of merging past and future.
From that storied setting, Henry launched into a fervent rendition of Whitney Houston’s anthem “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” The performance was not a solo effort; it was a fully staged production. A twelve‑voice choir swelled behind him, their harmonies lending gospel‑rich depth to the pop classic. Eight dancers, choreographed by Ellenore Scott—who also served as the overall creative consultant for the number—wove intricate patterns around Henry, their movements echoing the song’s buoyant rhythm while referencing the fluidity of classical sculpture. A four‑piece band, under the expert production of Joseph Abate, provided a tight, punchy foundation that kept the tempo infectious and the energy relentless.
As the first chorus rose, Henry began to move, guiding the ensemble through the museum’s labyrinthine corridors. The trajectory took him from the sculpture galleries into the Met Gala’s newly reimagined Great Hall, which for 2026 had been transformed into a “lunar paradise.” Shimmering silvers, deep blues, and soft, diffused lighting evoked a dreamscape of moonlight on a tranquil sea, creating an otherworldly backdrop that felt both celestial and intimate. The hall’s installation—part of the Gala’s curatorial vision to explore themes of celestial navigation and mythic travel—provided a dramatic contrast to the earthy marble of the galleries, underscoring the night’s narrative arc from antiquity to imagination.
Exiting the lunar dreamscape, Henry and his entourage emerged onto the red carpet itself, which was framed by towering curtains of cascading wisteria in a riot of purples, pinks, and whites. The floral canopy added a romantic, almost theatrical flourish, turning the carpet into a stage set where fashion and performance collided. Photographers from Getty Images captured every glittering step, the flashbulbs freezing the moment Henry’s scarlet suit caught the light, the choir’s mouths open in song, and the dancers mid‑leap, their silhouettes striking against the wisteria haze.
The opening number did more than entertain; it set the tonal bar for the rest of the evening. By marrying live music, dance, and theatrical storytelling within the Met’s hallowed spaces, Henry’s performance underscored the Gala’s ongoing mission to treat fashion as a living, performative art. The choice of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”—a song synonymous with joy, liberation, and collective celebration—reinforced the night’s invitation to attendees: to dance, to dare, to revel in the shared experience of creativity.
While Henry’s opening dominated headlines, the coverage also noted the presence of other high‑profile guests whose looks continued to push the boundaries of red‑carpet expectation. Pop sensation Doja Cat appeared in a striking ensemble that echoed the evening’s playful yet sophisticated vibe, further illustrating how the Met Gala serves as a runway for experimental style as much as a celebration of the museum’s collections.
In sum, Joshua Henry’s scarlet‑clad, choir‑backed, dance‑infused rendition of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” was a masterclass in turning a red‑carpet entrance into a multidimensional spectacle. From the ancient sculpture galleries, through a lunar‑inspired Great Hall, to a wisteria‑draped carpet, the performance wove together history, fantasy, and contemporary pop culture into a cohesive, exhilarating opening act that promised a night of unforgettable fashion, music, and art.