Tom Francis Teases His First Experience at the Met Gala (Exclusive)

Tom Francis knows he can’t take his phone to the Met Gala, but he is jokingly worried about publicly speaking about the event!

The Sunset Boulevard star spoke to PEOPLE about the whirlwind past week, from his Tony nomination on Thursday, May 1, to attending the 2025 Met Gala on Monday, May 5, and then the 2025 Tony Awards junket on Thursday, May 8.

Francis, 25, was nominated for best performance by a leading actor in a musical for his role in Sunset Boulevard. He exclusively told PEOPLE that receiving the nomination “felt like a monumental moment.”

“It’s a dream come true,” he says. “I never thought I’d be in this position, and I’m just trying to soak it in and take every moment in.”

He continued by sharing that despite working on eight shows a week, he still had a chance to go to the 2025 Met Gala, which he described as “incredible.” 

“Are you allowed to talk about the Met Gala in any way, shape or form when you’re not around? I’m like, it’s the first rule of Fight Club. You can’t talk about Fight Club. Is that the kind of vibe with the Met Gala?” he jokes.

“What an incredible night, everyone looked incredible, and that’s the night that I’m never going to forget,” he says, before remarking on his close proximity to people he admires, including Stevie Wonder. “Talk about being close to one of your heroes.”

Fellow Tony nominee Kara Young also appeared at the Monday evening event. 

Young made history after receiving her fourth consecutive acting nomination. In 2024, she won her first Tony for Purlie Victorious. This year, she was nominated for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play for Purpose. 

“I just feel really honored to be here again. I feel really honored to be here with the company of Purpose,” she tells PEOPLE. “These times are just a beautiful celebration of the work, and I feel grateful to be a part of this community, this Broadway community.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Young, 55, also told PEOPLE that she felt “honored to be invited” to the Met Gala.

“This exhibit that was celebrating Black Dandyism and really celebrating black culture and black fashion was such an important event to be invited to,” Young says of this year’s theme.

The theme celebrated “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” in honor of the legacy of the Black dandy and the Black tailors behind some of the most iconic moments in fashion history.

“I think one of the most meaningful feelings was that our eyes were the first eyes to see that exhibit,” she explained. “There was Frederick Douglass’ glasses and his hat. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about that, that’s like the power of a piece.”

She continued by remarking that wanting to feel good and her best is “the root of Black Dandyism,” adding that it’s to make sure “that a garment fits you very well and that you feel your best in it.”

“Regardless, it’s like it’s feeling so good. And that’s revolution. Joy is a radical act, and joy through fashion is a radical act.”