Zendaya stunned the world at the Met Gala 2025 wearing a white Louis Vuitton suit, but what really set the internet ablaze wasn’t just her look; it was the hat. It was only a few short days ago that TikTok “For You” pages were filled with “Zendaya Hat Theory” videos, with users claiming that her headwear holds a “secret meaning.” Here’s a full breakdown of the viral theory, who started it, and why everyone online is obsessed.
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What is the “Zendaya hat theory?”
Three days ago, internet creator @thesnakesbloxx made a video creating the “Zendaya hat theory.” It now has over 2M views on TikTok. if Zendaya would bring out her infamous giant hat from a 2014 Teen Vogue party to the 2025 Met Gala carpet, but it went on to become a joke about what exactly is under that hat.
Why TikTok is obsessed: viral reactions and theories
The internet loves a good “IYKYK” meme to run wild with. The video starts by saying Zendaya was “unfortunately” found wearing a “big hat” in 2014, claiming that this was only the beginning of the hat timeline. The user created a fake “stranger abduction” report, insinuating that Zendaya’s fiancé Tom Holland just might be stuck under Zendaya’s big hat.
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Where did the meme originate from?
We can confirm that only three things are forever: death, taxes, and early 2000s Teen Vogue parties haunting our favourites. From Selena Gomez to Debby Ryan, no one can escape a good TV red carpet moment and Zendaya is another celeb who falls into that category. Her iconic Emporio Armani big hat and Armani suit from the 2014 Teen Vogue Young Hollywood party is where this theory all began. Fans have been theorising for over a decade about this fashion choice and it still is something they cannot get enough of, even during fashion’s biggest night.
And while the hat theory is all a big internet joke, Zendaya still loves the fashion moment from 2014. “I still see memes about this particular look,” she said in a Vogue video, adding that she finds it very chic today. “I would wear it again. Might have to bring it out of the archives one day.” And according to Zendaya, her stylist, Law Roach, still has the hat in storage, so fans might one day get their favourite hat on a red carpet.
The Fashion Symbolism Behind Zendaya’s Met Gala Hat
Because this hat has become such a huge sartorial meme for fans of the Dune actress, many hoped with the Black dandyism theme, she would make a nod to the original hat on the Met Gala 2025 blue carpet. So, when it was shown that Zendaya was in fact wearing a hat — only this time instead of a full black look, she chose all white — the internet relished in the idea that the “Zendaya Hat Theory” was confirmed. Others believed Zendaya’s snake pin on the back side of her suit was a nod to creator of the theory @thesnakesbloxx. While we do now know the true references Zendaya and stylist Law Roach used to build out her look, fans are obsessed with the idea that this 2014 hat moment is the foundation of her Met look.
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This article originally appeared on Teen Vogue.