In a surprising twist blending fashion, fame, and social media frenzy, Italian model Matteo Rinaldi is speaking out after allegedly being dropped from a high-profile Met Gala-related campaign — all because of a viral moment involving Kylie Jenner.
The 26-year-old model, who has worked with luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino, claims his invitation to participate in a prestigious promotional campaign during Met Gala week was abruptly revoked after a video featuring his brief, playful exchange with Jenner went viral on TikTok.
The Moment That Started It All
The now-infamous clip, which has amassed over 8 million views, shows Rinaldi politely complimenting Kylie Jenner on her dress as she made her way into The Mark Hotel — a well-known pre-Gala hub for celebrities. In the video, Rinaldi says, “You look absolutely divine tonight, Kylie,” to which Jenner turns, smiles slightly, and offers a polite but cool “Thank you.”
Social media users were quick to pick apart the interaction, with many commenting on Jenner’s lukewarm response. Others, however, focused on Rinaldi, praising his charm and confidence, and even dubbing him “Italy’s new heartthrob.”
But what seemed like a moment of internet fun quickly turned serious.
The Fallout
Just two days after the video blew up online, Rinaldi claims he received a call from his agency informing him that a brand campaign — one he had signed on to model for during the Met Gala weekend — had been canceled due to concerns about “unwanted attention.”
“I was shocked,” Rinaldi told GQ Italia in an exclusive interview. “They said the client felt I had crossed a boundary by interacting with Kylie without prior arrangement. I wasn’t being inappropriate. I complimented her — like anyone else would. And suddenly I’m being treated like I did something wrong?”
Though the brand in question has not been publicly named, industry insiders speculate it was a luxury label sponsoring several Met Gala side events. Rinaldi claims he was even asked to remove the video from his social media accounts — something he says he never posted himself.
The Double Standard?
Rinaldi’s story has sparked debate online, with many fans and fellow models pointing out the industry’s frequent hypocrisy when it comes to viral moments. Some argue that if the roles were reversed — say, a female model complimenting a male celebrity — the incident may have been praised or brushed off.
“Let’s be real,” wrote one commenter on Twitter. “Matteo did nothing but be polite. If anything, Kylie could’ve responded with a little more warmth. But now HE’S getting punished?”
Others have pointed to the increasing pressures on celebrities to control their public image during high-profile events like the Met Gala. Some PR teams reportedly prefer zero unscripted interactions, especially when the footage could be taken out of context.
Kylie Jenner’s Camp Responds
A representative for Kylie Jenner has since issued a brief statement, clarifying that “Kylie was unaware of any repercussions stemming from the interaction” and that “she appreciated the compliment and meant no offense in her response.”
The rep also added that Jenner “wishes the model well.”
While Jenner’s camp appears to be distancing her from the controversy, the damage, according to Rinaldi, is already done.
What’s Next for Rinaldi?
Despite the setback, Rinaldi says he’s not backing down. “If anything, this has shown me how quickly things can turn — both for good and bad. I’ve gotten offers from other brands since this happened. So maybe losing that job was a blessing in disguise.”
He’s now considering launching his own line of men’s accessories and using his platform to promote a healthier, more respectful modeling industry.
“For me, it’s not about Kylie. It’s about how we treat people who go viral for something harmless. I didn’t deserve to lose work because I was polite.”
As the fashion world continues to debate professionalism, publicity, and the power of the internet, one thing’s clear: in 2025, even a single sentence at the Met Gala can change a career overnight.
