Met Gala's 10 best dressed: Rihanna is a mood; Billie Eilish, Megan Fox nail American theme

Fashion's biggest night is here and the biggest names in Hollywood didn't disappoint. 

A-listers descended upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art's carpeted stairs in New York Monday, more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic upended nearly all entertainment events and canceled the 2020 Met Gala. 

The 2021 Met Gala is celebrating American fashion, just days after the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, with the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." While many instantly think of stars and stripes or the colors red, white and blue, these stars took the theme to another level by paying tribute to icons (and even sports) quintessential to our country.

Here's a look at the 2021 Met Gala's best-dressed stars, including Jennifer Lopez and Lil Nas X, who embraced the American theme.

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Rihanna

Rihanna gave fashionably late a whole new meaning.

The red carpet ended without any sightings of the Queen of the Met Gala and with plenty of disappointment from fans. But as luck would have it, she miraculously appeared in an all-black look that resembled a large comforter. Remember Snuggies?

You may be wondering: How did she make the best-dressed list? Well, her look seemed appropriate following a year of hoodies and athleisure during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rihanna attended the Met Gala with A$AP Rocky, who appeared in a colorful blanket-like getup. This marks the couple's first red carpet appearance together. 

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish looked like the belle of the ball in a blush Oscar de la Renta gown that channeled American icons Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and the Holiday Barbie Doll, which Eilish called her "favorite thing in the world."

Eilish's Met Gala look is a stark contrast to her longtime signature tomboy style, but she told Vogue host Keke Palmer that "it just was time for this" feminine look. 

"I was scared. I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin and I finally do," said Eilish, who is serving as a co-chair alongside Timothée Chalamet, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

2021 Met Gala co-chairs: Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka

Jennifer Lopez

JLo took the Met Gala to the Wild, Wild West in a Ralph Lauren gown, complete with a wide-brimmed hat, black feather jacket and a leather belt. The jet-setting actress, who just walked the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival days ago, was accompanied by Ben Affleck, although they didn't walk the red carpet together. 

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Lil Nas X

Move aside Lady Gaga. Lil Nas X debuted not one, not two, but three different outfits.

His first outfit featured a gold custom Atelier Versace robe fit for a king. He ditched the robe with the assistance of several helpers to reveal a suit of golden armor underneath. He followed it up with a skin-tight, embellished black and gold jumpsuit.

"We only get one chance to do this," he said. Might as well do it right. 

Kendall Jenner

The supermodel paid homage to Audrey Hepburn in a custom sheer Givenchy gown dripping in jewels that is reminiscent of Hepburn's look in the 1964 film "My Fair Lady."

"My princess," sister Kylie Jenner wrote on her Instagram Story, after saying she was "so sad I couldn't make it this year." Kylie Jenner is expecting her second child with Travis Scott. 

Megan Fox

The actress opted for a bright red Dundas cutout gown and sported sleek Bettie Page-inspired bangs. What makes it on-theme? Herself. "It’s on an American girl so it makes it American fashion," she said. 

"I'm not afraid to be sexy," Fox told Palmer. "A woman who is intelligent and also knows how to weaponize her beauty… there's nothing more dangerous than that. There's nothing more powerful than that."

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Iman

Everyone, stop and bask in Iman's light. The supermodel looked like pure sunshine in her show-stopping Harris Reed gown. She said her Met Gala look "felt hopeful" and signifies a "ray of light after all the darkness we felt" in America the past year. 

Reed accompanied Iman on the carpeted steps and said he chose Iman to wear his look because she's the "most iconic woman in the world." 

Emily Blunt

The "Jungle Cruise" actress was dripping in Hollywood glamour while channeling actress Hedy Lamarr in a shimmery gown by Miu Miu that featured a sweeping white cape. She completed her look with a starry headdress similar to the one that Lamarr wore in the 1941 film "Ziegfeld Girl."

"I love all the opulence and boldness of old Hollywood," Blunt said. 

Ciara

The singer took the Met Gala's nickname of "The Super Bowl of Fashion" to a new level, because what's more American than football?

Ciara payed homage to her NFL husband Russell Wilson, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, in a lime green, backless gown by Peter Dundas. Her look even featured Wilson's No. 3 jersey number. 

And we can't forget about the accessories. In addition to her mini football clutch, Ciara said she's "also wearing his Super Bowl ring." 

Carey Mulligan 

Mulligan looked pretty in pink in a whimsical Valentino gown that her "Great Gatsby" character Daisy Buchanan would surely fawn over. Her ballgown featured a corseted top and massive train.