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Met Gala 2021 guests dazzle on the red carpet

The Met Gala is back, and the attendees didn't miss a beat, showing up dressed to turn heads.

The event — postponed for two years because of the coronavirus pandemic — is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, and this year is celebrating the upcoming exhibit "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." With the theme "American Independence," there was lots of red, white, and blue on display Monday night at the museum, along with a smattering of stars and stripes and other looks loosely based on the U.S.A.

Amanda Gorman, a gala co-chair, wore a stunning blue frock inspired by the Statue of Liberty:

Amanda Gorman.

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Jennifer Lopez embraced her inner cowgirl for this western look:

Jennifer Lopez.

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Lupita Nyong'o wore a denim ensemble, embracing the all-American fabric:

Lupito Nyong'o

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Shawn Mendes celebrated his independence from shirts:

Shawn Mendes.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) used her dress to make a statement on the rich (it's "tax them"):

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Aurora James.

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That's Kim Kardashian underneath there:

Kim Kardashian.

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Frank Ocean's plus-one was a robot baby:

Frank Ocean and his robot baby.

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Lil Nas X exercised his freedom of choice by wearing three different outfits:

Lil Nas X at the 2021 Met Gala.

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Lil Nas X.

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Lil Nas X.

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