The 2026 Met Gala unfolded on 4 May, marking yet another highlight in the world of fashion, with celebrities arriving at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate this year’s theme, “Costume Art.” While the event saw numerous fresh faces and memorable appearances, some familiar stars were conspicuously absent, prompting questions about their whereabouts on this prestigious night.
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One standout missing from the gala was the ever-popular Zendaya, who has consistently graced the Met Gala red carpet in previous years. Despite her busy schedule promoting several major projects in 2026, Zendaya opted not to attend the event. Interestingly, her stylist, Law Roach, made an appearance solo. Reports suggest that she and her partner, Tom Holland, were spotted in London earlier that day.
Actor Timothée Chalamet also missed this year’s celebrations, choosing instead to support the New York Knicks at a basketball game. Chalamet, known for his bold fashion choices and previous Met Gala appearances, took to social media to share his excitement for the match, emphasising his allegiance to the team’s endeavours over the glitz of the gala.
Hollywood icon Meryl Streep is another celebrity who has consistently chosen to stay away from the Met Gala. Although she featured as the cover star of Vogue prior to the event, her representative confirmed in a statement that the glitzy affair has never aligned with her personal preferences. Streep’s absence continues a pattern, as she has frequently declined invitations to one of the most significant nights in the fashion calendar.
Canadian singer Justin Bieber similarly chose to forgo the Met this year. His wife, Hailey Bieber, attended the gala solo, while he sat out yet again, having missed the previous year’s event as well. The couple made their initial debut together at the Gala in 2021, but have since parted ways on fashion’s biggest night.
Ryan Reynolds, who has attended the Met Gala in the past, was another noticeable absentee. His wife, Blake Lively, arrived at the gala in style, but Reynolds opted to stay away this year, continuing a trend of skipping the event in recent years.
Prominent actress Sarah Jessica Parker, known for her stylish appearances at the Met Gala, also sat this one out. Parker, a veteran of the fashion extravaganza, has missed not just this year’s event, but the previous year as well, raising further curiosity about her absence.
Bella Hadid, who has dazzled at the Met Gala in past years, also did not attend the 2026 event. Hadid has been open about her struggles with chronic illness and chose to prioritise her well-being this year, feeling no obligation to attend events that do not resonate with her current state of mind.
In a noteworthy absence, Taylor Swift, renowned for her previous appearances, did not grace the Met steps this year alongside her fiancé, football star Travis Kelce, who similarly has never visited the gala before. Swift’s absence is particularly notable given her longstanding association with the event, which she last attended over a decade ago.
Other celebrities who were notably absent included Sydney Sweeney, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, and Ariana Grande. Each star has their own reasons for not attending the gala this year, ranging from work commitments and personal priorities to a desire for privacy.
Notably, Lady Gaga, a veteran Met Gala attendee known for her dramatic entrances and eye-catching fashion statements, also chose to miss the event, having skipped it the previous year as well.
Overall, the 2026 Met Gala presented an array of new faces and trends while highlighted the absence of several iconic celebrities who have shaped the event over the years. As the fashion industry evolves, so too do the personal choices of its most famous figures, leaving fans and the media alike speculating on what could influence attendance in future Galas.