Zendaya’s MET Gala Hat Revives Viral Meme

Zendaya stuns at the MET Gala 2025, reviving the viral "Zendaya Theory" trend.

If you've missed a day on the internet, you most likely don't know about Zendaya's theory -- and that's the point. The theory first went viral in 2014 after she attended a Teen Vogue party in a huge black hat and matching ensemble. In true social media form, she was immediately meme-ified.

Fans poked fun at the hat's size, stating that a large hat has to hint at something. Wrong. It was just a huge hat... and that's the internet joke. So, if you see wanted posters featuring her 2014 look, just know it's an internet meme meant to confuse the girls.

As a result, when the "Dune" star arrived in Louis Vuitton -- styled by Law Roach, of course -- the meme resurfaced. "Zendaya taking homage from her iconic red carpet look in 2014 with the big hat," a fan tweeted hilariously.

In 2023, she told Vogue, "I still see memes about this look with my hat. I stick by it. We thought it was chic at the time, and I think it's still chic. I'd wear it again."

SO THE BIG HAT THEORY IS REAL pic.twitter.com/pzvpg1hmfI

— zendaya fanpage (@zdayasheart) May 5, 2025

I just found out about Zendaya's hat theory and it's fucking hilarious lol

FyoZNMFL4dEoEboQKUZNi7r567GPpiNoHKwgw9ukpump pic.twitter.com/rngOhYPpOd

— Cepryl (@cepryl_) May 4, 2025

Massive hats aside, Rihanna debuted her baby bump ahead of the event. Elsewhere, check out these Black fashion stylists we love.

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