Imagine showing up to the Met Gala only to steal the show before you even hit the carpet? That’s exactly what Gabrielle Union did—slipping away from her partner to roll into her own headline-making moment. While Dwyane Wade stood primed in his tailcoat, Union slipped into a sleek powerhouse ride that spoke louder than any outfit.

Gab once told E! News, “It’s all about catching up and hanging out and having fun… But, really trying to appreciate each other and show love to these amazing designers.” And this year, they really walked the talk.

Gab was stunning in a black floor-length gown with a dramatic white train. She tucked white roses into her sleek hair and finished the look with a bold statement necklace. Meanwhile, D-Wade matched the vibe in a white tailcoat and a shimmering shirt, grounding the look with black pants and a tie. They weren’t just serving looks—they were telling a story.

This year’s theme itself told a story, drawing on Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion to explore Black dandyism. The spotlight was on the evolution of Black men’s fashion, and the lineup of co-chairs reflected that brilliance. From A$AP Rocky and Colman Domingo to Lewis Hamilton and Pharrell Williams, these tastemakers didn’t just show up—they elevated the night. Oh, and let’s not forget LeBron James holding it down as honorary co-chair.

Yet even before the red-carpet magic, Union stole the show in an entirely different way: she ditched Wade for BMW, a company worth $104.2 B in 2025. Promoting the sleek new BMW iX, the Met Gala’s official ride, she posted a cheeky video on Instagram: “Got ready for the Met Gala in style. Thank you for the ride in the beautiful iX @BMWUSA.” And just like that, she transformed a standard sponsorship post into a full-blown Met Gala moment.

She then elevated her pre-Gala routine into a quintessential New York adventure. Gabrielle stopped by her go-to spot, Tiffany & Co., and didn’t hold back. “The more diamonds, the better,” she smiled before picking out the jaw-dropping necklace she later wore. “I definitely want to make a statement. I want to feel powerful when I walk in the room. The Met Gala is the place to wear these jewels.” Well, mission accomplished. And her style? Fully approved.

Gabrielle Union’s Met Gala venture was a success

Fashion has always been more than just fabric for Gabrielle Union—it’s a whole form of self-expression. And for someone who’s never shied away from making bold choices, the 2025 Met Gala was just another perfect stage.

“My style evolves daily, and I dress how I feel,” she told People back in April 2024. “Sometimes I feel powerful in a suit and sometimes I feel most powerful naked.”

That mindset showed loud and clear on the Met carpet, where she arrived in a dramatic black-and-white Prada gown with Dwyane Wade by her side, equally sharp in a matching ensemble. Together, they didn’t just fit the theme—they owned it. Meanwhile, back home, someone else was having just as much fun watching the magic unfold—Zaya Wade.

The 17-year-old shared her reaction in real time, posting a sweet clip on her Instagram Stories on May 6. Filming her TV screen while Gab and D-Wade struck poses at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she hyped them up. “Alright, show up and show out!” Zaya cheered. “This is what we wanna see.”

Her genuine excitement lit up the screen watching her dad get his solo moment. As Dwyane briefly stepped away from Gab for the cameras, Zaya proudly said, “OK, Dad, OK, get a solo.” She followed it up with, “Oh, this is so cute. Oh, he feeling himself.” But it wasn’t just about dad—Zaya made sure to show love to Gabrielle too, especially that jaw-dropping Tiffany & Co. necklace she paired with her gown.

“Look at her necklace, it’s so pretty,” she gushed. And just in case her approval wasn’t clear enough, she made it official: “I approve, I approve, I approve… They’re representing for me.” No doubt about it, Gabrielle’s Met Gala venture was not only a win, but also a family moment.