Supermodel Anok Yai wore a custom Balenciaga gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. The all-black look was inspired by Sicily’s “weeping statues.”
Yai slammed the Washington Post for alleging that the model ripped her outfit and peed on herself at the gala.
A report by the Washington Post this week covered the ins and outs of how the guests at the annual fashion event use the washroom while wearing complicated fits. Stylist Mickey Freeman shared an anecdote and mentioned that an unnamed model wore an “elaborate couture sheer mesh jumpsuit” and the fit required being sewn into it due to a zipper snafu in 2024.
Freeman recalled that the model was “swept up in the grandeus and excitement (and) completely forgot about the zipper situation.” And, that this caused a hold to be torn inside the gown and “inevitably, (the model’s) bladded decided to remind her.”
While Freeman decided to not name the model, the outlet identified the model and mentioned “model Anok Yai wore an outfitthat matches this description” to the event.
“How dare you misalign my character” – Anok Yai slams Washington Post
Reacting to the report, Anok Yai took to X to slam the outlet and said,
“I usually stay quiet and keep to myself. But how dare you misalign my character and imply that I ripped the outfit and peed on myself during he Met Gala of 2024! Fact check next time! Are you crazy?!”
Freeman also responded to the mishap and denied that the woman he was discussing was Yai,
“Nope! It was not Queen @anokyai”
The Egyptian-born American fashion model of South Sudanese descent in 2018 bcame the first Black model to open the Prada runway show since 1997. Yai’s parents sought refuge in the U.S and settled in South Hampshire. Her mother is a a nurse and her father works for Easterseals. Yai’s sister is her manager and a financial consultant.
Yai was mention in 2026 TIME100 most influential person list. She was discovered and introduced to the world of fashion in 2017.
Yai was discovered at the Howard University’s homecoming in 2017 and signed with Next Models shortly after her photo went viral on the internet. Anok Yai studied biochemistry and intended to becom a doctor before pursuing modelling full-time.
Yai was named Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards and has graced several Vogue covers. She is also a spokesmodel for Estee Lauder.
Edited by Soujanya Shapur