Met Gala 2025: Why Brands Stole the Spotlight

Met Gala 2025 was a moment. Celebrities turned up in outrageous looks, social media lit up, and right in the middle of it, brands jumped in like they were part of the group chat. And not with dull, safe comments — they delivered clever jokes, playful shade, and smart product mentions that actually made sense. It wasn’t random, it was strategy. They knew the world was watching, and joining the conversation in a way that felt natural gave them attention and relevance when it mattered most.

Well, it’s simple. It’s called tapping into trends. And the brands that do it best? They don’t just join the conversation — they become a part of it. Let’s talk about that.

Brand Reactions to Met Gala 2025

Let’s talk about how brands have really nailed trendjacking. Take Spotify, for instance:

• Spotify’s Approach: They didn’t just participate in the conversation—they owned it.
  • They mixed memes, roasts, and tweets effortlessly.
  • It felt like they were right there in the Met, giving Apple Music a side-eye like, “You seeing this?”

Short n’ Sweet, as always @SabrinaAnnLynn. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/W5CC5e5vAo

— Spotify (@Spotify) May 5, 2025

Then, Starbucks came in with a tweet that had everyone talking:

• Starbucks Commented:
  • “Every Met look is haute couture. Ours? Haute coffee 😉”
  • This was clever and on-brand. Starbucks took a high-fashion event, which has nothing to do with coffee, and made it work seamlessly.
  • This is what mastering trendjacking looks like—you don’t have to stray from your brand’s identity to tap into the zeitgeist. You just have to do it right.

Now, Netflix’s Twitter game? It was on point:

• Netflix’s Perfect Execution:
  • They tweeted: “This red carpet feels like an episode of Black Mirror.”
  • Netflix is all about blending pop culture with their brand voice.
  • This tweet was slightly savage, on-brand, and universally relatable—everything you want from a trendjacking moment.

JioCinema wasn’t about to let the others have all the fun. They jumped in with:

• JioCinema’s Playful Meme:
  • They posted about “Met fits we’d only wear to binge the IPL.”
  • Using celebrity-inspired wild outfit templates, they captioned: “When you arrive at the IPL finals like this.”
  • They connected the Met Gala’s fashion with their audience’s love for sports, making it relevant.

And then there’s Disney+ Hotstar. Their tweet was a subtle flex:

• Disney+ Hotstar’s Subtle Flex:
  • “Plot twist: All these Met looks were designed by Marvel villains.”
  • Funny, light, and still reminding everyone they’re the home of Marvel content.
  • It wasn’t pushy—it was smart and perfectly timed.

So Why Do Brands Do This?

Because they know exactly what we’re doing during big events — scrolling, liking, sharing, commenting. The internet becomes one giant group chat and every brand wants in.

And here’s the trick: the smart ones don’t just post — they participate. They blend the trending topic with their voice and product so naturally, you almost forget they’re selling something.

Remember during the Barbie movie hype? Brands went pink. But the cool ones didn’t just paint their logo pink. They Barbie-fied their entire vibe. Airbnb had a Barbie Dreamhouse listed. Crocs dropped Barbie pink clogs. It wasn’t just “look we joined!” — it was “we belong here.”

The Rule: Don’t Chase the Trend, Slide Into It Smoothly

There’s a BIG difference between “jumping on a trend” and blending into it. Let’s break it down:

What not to do:

• Randomly post about the Met Gala when your brand sells plumbing tools (unless Lady Gaga wore a wrench dress or something).
• Use trending hashtags with zero context.
• Post something that’s clearly out of sync with your brand tone.

What to do:

• Take the trend and find your angle.
• Add your product’s flavor to the trend like it’s seasoning.
• Stay true to your voice. If your brand is quirky, be quirky. If it’s luxe, be that.

Smartest Brand Moves

1. Duolingo

They don’t just tweet; they troll. Remember how they responded to celebs’ red carpet grammar slips at the Grammys? Perfect mix of education and chaos.

2. Domino’s UK

When Adele dropped her “Easy On Me” track, Domino’s tweeted:

“Go easy on me baby, I’m ordering Domino’s again tonight.”

Boom. Viral. No forced plug, just vibes and pizza.

3. Fenty Beauty

You know Rihanna’s brand had to shine during the Met. They didn’t tweet a lot — they let their queen walk the carpet and everyone else did the talking. Sometimes, your presence in the trend is just letting your product do the flexing.

So What Can You Learn From This?

If you’re a business, creator, or building a brand — here’s what matters:

1. Spot the wave early: Big events like the Met Gala, movie premieres, or major sports finals dominate public attention. The earlier you notice and join the conversation, the more relevant your brand feels. Netflix did this brilliantly by weaving their shows into Met commentary while staying true to their identity.
2. Make it yours: Don’t just jump on a trend — align it with what you do. Starbucks nailed this by pairing the Met’s ‘haute couture’ theme with their ‘haute coffee’. It felt natural, clever, and didn’t stretch their brand tone.
3. Stay authentic: If a trend doesn’t fit your brand’s voice, skip it. Nothing loses audience trust faster than forced commentary.
4. Add value, don’t chase clout: The smartest brands use trends to reinforce what they stand for, not to simply be seen. Culture moves fast, but relevance built through thoughtful, timely engagement lasts.

Read the room, respond with purpose, and always stay in your lane. That’s how brands win culture — not just follow it.

Conclusion

The Met Gala gave us jaw-dropping looks. But honestly? It also gave us a marketing masterclass. Brands weren’t just posting; they were participating. Laughing, sipping coffee, throwing shade, and tweeting like they were one of us.

And the best ones — like Netflix, Starbucks India, JioCinema, and Disney+ Hotstar — knew exactly how to say, “This is the moment, and we’re in it, our way.”

So next time a trend rolls around, don’t sit it out. Show up. Dress your post in haute coffee, drop a Netflix-level comment, or meme your way through it. But make it you.