10 Celebrities Who Hated Their Met Gala Experiences

The Met Gala, renowned as the pinnacle of glamour and creativity in the fashion world, has been the subject of mixed feelings among some of its high-profile attendees. While the event is praised by many for its opulence and artistic expression, several celebrities have voiced their disillusionment, describing their experiences as less than enjoyable.

In a candid moment, actress Gwyneth Paltrow expressed her dissatisfaction with the event back in May 2013. Speaking to USA Today, she described the gala as “so un-fun” and lamented the oppressive heat and crowding, stating, “I did not enjoy it at all.” This sentiment of disinterest seemed to echo throughout the years, as comedian Amy Schumer shared her own grievances during an interview on The Howard Stern Show in August 2016. She declared that the event “felt like a punishment” and expressed her disdain for the superficiality she felt surrounded by. “It’s people doing an impression of having a conversation… We’re dressed up like a bunch of f—ing assholes,” she remarked.

These sentiments are not uncommon among those who have attended the Met Gala. Ashley Park, known for her role in “Emily in Paris,” had a rough debut at the gala in 2022, battling a sinus cold as she walked the red carpet in a striking Prabal Gurung ensemble. Reflecting on her experience, she quipped, “I was on like eight Advil.” In a subsequent appearance in 2023, her moment was hilariously overshadowed by Jared Leto’s outrageous costume, which added to her intrigue and frustration. “I was like, ‘Please let me just get one good picture for [Michael Kors],’” she recounted.

Musician SZA also did not find the Met Gala to be a friendly environment during her first outing in 2022. Despite her aspirations for the night, she struggled with anxiety and ultimately chose to leave soon after arriving. Reflecting on her departure, she shared, “I just tiptoed a couple of blocks and caught a yellow cab back to my hotel because I was just overwhelmed.” The pressures of living up to expectations and navigating social dynamics at such a prominent event proved too much for her on that occasion.

Billie Eilish, co-chair of the 2021 gala, had a somewhat conflicted sentiment. Although she showered admiration on the event, calling it “amazing,” she also pointed out the awkward realities of socialising among the industry’s elite. “The main thing that night made me think or feel was how famous people are just literally nobodies,” Eilish said, highlighting the anxiety and insecurity that can permeate even the most glamorous of gatherings.

Similarly, Indigenous model Quannah Chasinghorse voiced feelings of isolation when attending for the first time in 2021. “No one knew me. No one cared to ask,” she remarked, feeling lost among the throngs of well-known faces. Despite initially feeling like an outsider, she chose to return for subsequent events, perhaps indicating a sense of perseverance, or a desire to find her place within such an exclusive atmosphere.

Lourdes Leon, daughter of pop icon Madonna, had her own moment of panic at the gala in 2021. Although she was grateful for the opportunity, she expressed a sense of discomfort about mingling with famous peers. “You’re just shoved into a room with all these famous people, and you’re supposed to talk to them and be their friend,” she explained. That sense of overwhelming pressure resulted in her calling for help from her boyfriend midway through the festivities.

Ben Platt’s inaugural experience in 2017 was similarly unceremonious. He felt so out of place that he opted to leave early, remarking, “I didn’t make it through the event because I was like, ‘I don’t really have anybody to talk to.'” Yet, he later returned in 2021 with familiar faces, indicating that social connections can ease the intimidation factor often present at such gatherings.

Even British singer Zayn Malik has openly rejected the notion of attending the Met Gala, claiming that he would prefer a quieter night at home over the extravagant festivities. “To do the self-indulgent ‘Look at me, I’m amazing’ thing on the red carpet, it’s not me,” he stated in an interview, summing up the sentiment shared by several others.

As the Met Gala continues to draw A-listers from every corner of the industry, it appears the event has become a stage not just for fashion but also for the complex emotions surrounding fame and identity. Although many celebrate the night as an extraordinary occasion, these reflections from its attendees remind us that the reality may be far less glamorous than it seems.