Met Gala 2026 isn’t nearly vogue, it’s about who wins the night time. And in keeping with one PR skilled, there’s one identify followers must be watching intently: Maura Higgins. As anticipation builds forward of Monday’s purple carpet, superstar PR specialist Kayley Cornelius is predicting that Maura Higgins might emerge as one of many greatest winners of the night time.
Why The Met Gala Is Extra Than Simply A Pink Carpet

The previous actuality star has been steadily constructing her presence within the U.S., due to her look on “The Traitors US” and an upcoming stint on “Dancing with the Stars,” and the Met Gala could possibly be the second that takes her to the following stage. Held yearly at The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork, the Met Gala has lengthy been thought-about essentially the most prestigious night time in vogue.
However past the glitz and glamour, it’s additionally a strategic profession transfer. “For any star, the Met Gala is their alternative to make headlines and make a press release. It’s not nearly attending, it’s about being talked about, and those who actually profit are those who’re keen to take dangers,” Cornelius defined.
“If you happen to play it secure, you get forgotten,” she added. “If you happen to go massive, you win the web, and that stage of publicity is extremely useful as a result of it retains them related and positions them on the centre of the dialog.”
Why Maura Higgins May ‘Win The Web’

Cornelius pointed to Higgins as a chief instance of somebody completely positioned to capitalize on the second. “For up-and-coming stars, this night time is usually a actual breakthrough second, and somebody like Maura Higgins is a superb instance of somebody who might achieve massive if she’s set to attend,” she stated.
“As she continues to make strides in Hollywood and along with her set to seem on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ later this 12 months, it is a enormous alternative for her to construct her profile and win over an excellent wider viewers forward of that,” she added. “A standout look on the carpet might assist place her not simply as one other actuality star, however as a critical identify Hollywood celeb.”
Large Vogue Offers May Be On The Line

Higgins already has model partnerships beneath her belt, however the Met Gala might push her into a wholly new tier. “She already has sturdy model ties, together with work with Alo Yoga, however that is the form of platform that would elevate her into a very completely different league,” Cornelius stated.
“If she will get it proper, she might simply discover herself securing a serious marketing campaign with a luxurious vogue home similar to YSL or Dior,” she stated. “And even touchdown a partnership with a world identify like Skims forward of her time on the dancefloor.”
Different Names To Watch

Higgins isn’t the one one who may gain advantage. Cornelius additionally highlighted rising pop group Katseye as a possible breakout in the event that they make their Met Gala debut following their current momentum. “Following a profitable run at Coachella, a powerful Met Gala second might translate right into a spike in music streams and assist push them in entrance of a extra international viewers,” she defined.
For established stars, the Met Gala serves a unique goal: staying related. Cornelius pointed to Robert Pattinson as somebody who might dominate the dialog if he attends. “He’s already using a serious wave of momentum, and a standout look on the Met carpet would solely add to that buzz,” she stated. “It could hold him entrance and middle within the dialog as awards season approaches, whereas additionally opening the door to much more alternatives off-screen.”
“A robust exhibiting might see him land a serious business deal tied to a brand new product launch or safe a high-profile journal cowl, all whereas constructing pleasure and holding followers hooked forward of his upcoming releases,” she added.
PR Professional Says Met Gala Is A ‘Profession Transfer’ As All Eyes Flip To Maura Higgins

On the finish of the day, Cornelius says the Met Gala is much extra strategic than it seems. “On the finish of the day, it isn’t only a purple carpet, it’s a profession transfer, and the celebrities who deal with it that method are at all times those who come out on high,” she stated.
And if she’s proper, all eyes will probably be on Maura Higgins to see if she will flip vogue’s greatest night time into her greatest breakthrough but.
