Gigi Hadid Reveals How Bradley Cooper Inspires Her Met Gala 2026 Pose

Gigi Hadid has a super trick for posing at the 2026 Met Gala.

Honestly, being on the Met steps at the Costume Institute gala can be so overwhelming! But I read that Irina Shayk actually found a way to stay calm – she just thought about her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper. Apparently, picturing him helped her feel grounded amidst all the craziness of the event on May 4th. It’s sweet knowing even supermodels need a little help staying centered!

Gigi shared with Vogue that she focuses on positive thinking while working. She believes that finding a happy place and concentrating on joyful thoughts brings energy and allows her natural happiness to shine through, especially in her expressions.

Though she sometimes thinks about Bradley, 51, Gigi Hadid, 31, primarily focuses on her 5-year-old daughter, Khai, whom she shares with her ex, Zayn Malik.

“First happy thought, Khai my daughter,” Gigi shared, “and then my man.”

Each happy thought has a unique effect for the founder of Guest In Residence, as she’s noticed her eyes react differently depending on what makes her feel good.

You know, thinking about Khai… it just makes me happy, like maybe I’m the one bringing the joy! And then, I immediately want to rush back and do something amazing for Bradley, something worthy of showing off to the cameras. It’s like Khai inspires me to be better, to do better, especially for Bradley. It’s a whole feeling!

Thinking positively also helped her stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the busy atmosphere that night. The event was hosted by a star-studded group including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. (You can find photos of all the celebrities who attended here.)

She explained it all happens so quickly, and you suddenly realize, ‘I don’t even remember doing that!’ with a laugh. She described grounding herself by taking a deep breath and focusing on her senses—like noticing a pleasant smell or recalling a happy memory to bring her back to the present moment.

One of the highlights of her evening was the unique Miu Miu gown she wore. The delicate, see-through fabric subtly revealed her satin undergarments, and the dress was adorned with flowers she’d personally helped arrange.

Following the evening’s “Fashion Is Art” theme, Gigi treated her body like a canvas, strategically applying clothing to highlight her best features and feel confident.

As she told Vogue, “It really was body as canvas.”

For more stars who gave their own artist spin to the 2026 Met Gala, keep reading.