Zendaya Crowns Met Gala Co-Chair Jennifer Lopez' Versace Gown As The Best Of All Time

Fashion’s grandest event, the Met Gala, is set to return at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This prestigious event gathers fashion designers, art enthusiasts and celebrities from around the globe under one roof and millions watch the red carpet event. As part of the celebration, few high profile figures get the opportunity to co-chair, who oversee guest lists, menus and decor arrangement. This year, the spotlight is on Zendaya, who will be co-chairing alongside Jennifer Lopez. Over the years, JLo has worn some of the iconic dresses and her unforgettable Versace green jungle gown at the Grammys in 2000 continues to inspire fashion enthusiasts. Interestingly, even Zendaya appears to be impressed by Lopez’ bold deep neckline gown.

During the recent red carpet event for her upcoming movie The Challengers, the Spider-Man actress was questioned about JLo’s iconic fashion and if there were any classic JLo looks that made her go wow. Without hesitation, Zendaya stated, “I think the one that always comes to mind is obviously the Versace, the iconic deep V.”

Jennifer Lopez wore the jungle gown during the Grammy Awards ceremony in 2000, designed by Donatella Versace. The gown quickly became one of the most memorable outfits in the fashion industry. Surprisingly, the gown made a glamourous comeback in 2019 when the The Boy Next Door star made a surprise appearance at the Versace SS20 show during Milan Fashion Week. After a group of models walked the runway, the audience was treated to a video of Google searches for the original green gown. Then, Lopez made a grand entrance in her signature style and left audience members stunned.

Talking about the Versace gown Jennifer Lopez in an earlier interview with Vanity Fair said, “The first time I wore it, I actually didn’t have another dress. Usually I have choices. It was a last minute thing that caused a sensation that was unexpected. The second time was very planned out. It started at the Met ball, Donatella said, ‘You know, this year is the 20th anniversary of the jungle dress,’ and I said no and she goes, ‘I think I’m going to do a whole show about it. Would you come?’ And I said, ‘Of course. Just call me.’ You know, it’s all timing, schedules and stuff.”

“Then she wound up calling and said, ‘I want you to walk at the end and I want you to come out in the dress. The same dress. We’ll make a new one for you’. The second time I wore it and walked out there, it was such an empowering thing. Twenty years have gone by and I think for women, knowing you can put on a dress 20 years later, it resonated,” the singer added.

The Met Gala is annually celebrated on the first Monday in May and this year, it is set to take place on May 6. The theme for this year’s event is ‘The Garden of Time,’ inspired by the 1962 short story of the same name by author JG Ballard. Other than Zendaya and Jennifer, the event will be co-chaired by Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth. Additionally, Jonathan Anderson, the creative director of Loewe, and Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, were invited as honorary chairs.