Doja Cat says she played with beauty norms at the Met Gala because 'it's exhausting to take yourself so seriously'

• Doja Cat wore prosthetics at the 2023 Met Gala to embody Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette.
• In a behind-the-scenes video for Vogue, she said "avant-garde" fashion is a vehicle for self-expression.

Doja Cat opened up about her boundary-pushing style at the 2023 Met Gala, which featured feline prosthetics.

In a behind-the-scenes video for Vogue, the "Kiss Me More" singer said she was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette.

"I use fashion to express myself. So, bottom line, any time that I'm doing something like this that's avant-garde or out of the ordinary, it's another way of just me expressing myself and also whoever I'm working with," she said.

"There's nothing like sending a message through what you're wearing and having a story behind something," she added. "I think it's really refreshing to see when people do stuff like that."

This year's Met Gala was dedicated to Lagerfeld's impact on fashion. Many celebrities wore black-and-white gowns, camellia flowers, and tweed, reminiscent of Lagerfeld's signature Chanel designs — although others, like Doja, upped the ante with over-the-top outfits and animalistic costumes.

Creative director and stylist Brett Alan Nelson said there's "no one better" than Doja to wear "a very talked-about look."

He also said the Grammy winner enjoys "messing with the idea of beauty norms."

In response, Doja joked that she's "not like other girls" because she loves pizza, chicken nuggets, and sweatpants.

"It's exhausting to take yourself so seriously to the point where you're limiting your experience in your life," she added in a more sincere tone.

"I love to embrace everything," she continued. "I don't like to hide things, I don't like to mask myself and think that that needs to be my life for the rest of my life. I like to think outside the box."