J. Lo Always Delivers At The Met Gala — These Winning Red-Carpet Looks Are Proof

The first Monday in May is arguably the most important night in the fashion industry. Celebrities, designers, models, and industry leaders gather at the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for what's become one of the strongest red-carpet events of the year. And while regular attendees are known to pull out all the stops (the likes of Blake Lively, Rihanna, and Beyoncé are always guaranteed to impress), theres one celeb in particular that consistently nails any given year's theme: Jennifer Lopez. The singer's Met Gala looks have included jaw-dropping gowns, effortlessly stunning makeup, and next-level hairstyles, which is why the 49-year-old has become a mainstay at the event.

It's no secret that Lopez is a true triple threat. From her dancing prowess to her amazing singing and acting chops, it's no surprise she's maintained a near 20-year career. That said, J. Lo has spent years perfecting her red-carpet style, hardly missing a best-dressed list in the process.

Lopez isn’t one to go for the safe option on the carpet — Met Gala included. Her looks are daring, brightly colored, and heavily embellished. Ahead of the 2019 Met Gala, which lands on May 6, The Zoe Report went ahead and rounded up each and every look the singer has debuted throughout the years. Read on for the ultimate red-carpet inspiration, and be sure to check back next week to see what Lopez opts for this year.

1999

Lopez attended her very first Met Gala with Sean “Diddy” Combs, or Puff Daddy, as he was known at the time. Her peach colored dress — which she paired with a cropped beige fur jacket — featured a halter neckline and a train so long she had to hold it as she moved up the iconic museum steps. The singer’s slicked-back hair and shimmery, simple makeup completed the look.

2004

Lopez attended the 2004 Met Gala wearing a black Dolce and Gabbana gown alongside the designers themselves, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The theme was "Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century", and Lopez totally looked the part with her cherry-red lips.

2006

The "Papi" singer kept her gown simple in 2006, a sharp turn from her looks in years to come. For 2006’s "Anglomania" theme, Lopez opted for pale pink one-shoulder gown by Versace with romantic ruching across the bodice. The timeless look was completed with a bouncy blowout and bronzed, glowy makeup.

2007

While Lopez's look was more conservative for 2007’s Met Gala (dubbed "Poiret: King of Fashion") it was by no means demure. In fact, it was one of the singer's shiniest red-carpet looks to date. Her silver beaded gown by Marchesa featured a heavily embellished waist and equally dramatic draped cap sleeves. Her hair was done in tight pin curls, topped with a beaded clip.

2008

For 2008’s "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" theme, Lopez chose a light blue fishtail-style gown with a stunning bejeweled one-shoulder neckline by Alberta Ferretti. Her beauty look was as regal as her gown: The singer’s hair was done in Wonder Woman-inspired curls, and her makeup featured shimmery silver and blue shadow.

2010

Lopez’s intricate Zuhair Murad gown was a total showstopper in 2010. She looked every part the empowered woman for the year’s theme, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” The New York native took a sharp turn from the more understated beauty looks from her previous Met Gala appearances, opting for a smart updo and an intense smoky eye.

2011

While most guests at the 2011 Met Ball opted for designs by the late Alexander McQueen — the Gala’s theme was named after him, after all — Lopez opted for a vibrant fuchsia number by Gucci. The cutout gown featured floral embellishments across the neckline and a soft bow tie around Lopez’s neck. Her hair was slicked back into a tight bun, and her makeup was noticeably more dewy than in previous years.

2013

The singer went wild for 2012’s “Fashion Goes Punk” theme with a sleek, sequined cheetah-print gown designed by Michael Kors. Lopez attended the Gala that year with not one but two dates — her then-beau Casper Smart and Kors himself. Her blonde hair was piled high into an undone updo, and her makeup look featured smudged black eyeliner, radiant skin, and nude glossy lips.

2015

Lopez’s burgundy, beaded gown left little to the imagination for the “China: Through the Looking Glass”-themed Gala. The gown displayed see-through portions along the leg that gave way to a nude tulle skirt with matching burgundy embellishments. Her hair was swept back to highlight the gown’s revealing low back and her shimmery, pink half-moon earrings.

2017

After skipping 2016’s Gala, Lopez bounced back the following year in a stunning pale-blue chiffon Valentino gown alongside her now-fiancé Alex Rodriguez. The theme that year was “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between," and Lopez looked every bit like an old-Hollywood starlet in the gown, a brightened version of a Valentino Spring 2017 couture piece. Lopez's hair was left in a half-up-half-down style reminiscent of ‘60s icon Elizabeth Taylor.

2018

If there’s one word to describe Lopez’s 2018 Met Gala dress, it would be extra. Lopez stunned in her glittering Balmain gown at last year’s event. Keeping with the “Heavenly Bodies” theme, the gown featured a bright blue cross on her chest. The structured gown was her most daring look to date, and will surely be hard to top at this year’s event. Her hair was styled in a freshly cut bob, slicked back to reveal her glowing complexion.

Editor's note: This story has been updated from its original version.