Bold and beautiful: Zendaya is a red-carpet fashion force at the Met Gala

Zendaya in full Cinderella cosplay, a billowing ball gown with puff sleeves by Tommy Hilfiger, at the 2019 Met Gala. Photo: The New York Times

“The designers must fight to the death to dress you,” Kelly Ripa told Zendaya, the 27-year-old actress, as they discussed her preparation for this year’s Met Gala on a recent episode of Live With Kelly And Mark.

Zendaya gave a knowing smile. Since she last attended the New York City fashion extravaganza in 2019, she has become not only a leading actress on screen (lately, in the tennis romance Challengers) but a red-carpet force whose looks can be anticipated almost as hotly as the projects they are meant to promote.