news

Mindy Kaling Just Won the #MetGalaChallenge By Recreating Jared Leto’s Iconic 2019 Look

So much has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but learning that the annual Met Gala hosted by Vogue and Anna Wintour wouldn’t go as planned? Considering we live for the red carpet lewks, that was a tough blow to take.

But then there was a bright spot: an announcement from Billy Porter that the (fashion) show must go on...virtually. He challenged couture lovers near and far to dig into their closet and recreate an iconic look from years’ past using, well, whatever they have at home. Mindy Kaling’s response? Game on.

The Never Have I Ever creator took to Instagram—as the directions stated—and posted a photo of her ensemble tied to the event hashtag, #MetGalaChallenge.

Her red carpet redo of choice was none other than Jared Leto’s 2019 outfit, dreamed up by designer Alessandro Michele for Gucci. You know, that time he accessorized with a severed head made to look like his own?

To pull off her version of the look, Kaling got resourceful, using a red tarp, some Christmas lights and packing tape. No word on where she got the mannequin-head-turned-accessory, but her attention-to-detail—from the penciled-on goatee to near replica Leto power pose—is perfect.

Bottom line: Kaling won the virtual Met Gala. (But, also, could this work as an IRL theme for next year?)

Every Must-See Look from the 2019 Met Gala


Rachel Bowie

Royal family expert, a cappella alum, mom

Rachel Bowie is Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals at PureWow, where she covers parenting, fashion, wellness and money in addition to overseeing initiatives within...
read full bio

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.