This year’s Met Gala, an annual spectacle of fashion and celebrity, was as star-studded as ever, yet missing were several figures who have traditionally lit up the red carpet in years past, as well as some who were expected to show up. Their absence sparked as much conversation as those who attended and their garments at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. From scheduling conflicts and personal reasons to strategic career moves, the reasons behind these no-shows vary widely. Besides the allegedly banned celebrities who publicly stated their thoughts, experiences and critiques of the Gala, like Jameela Jamil, Gwyneth Paltrow or Lena Dunham, here are some of the key celebrities who missed this year’s gala, along with the reasons behind their absence.
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Rihanna
This year’s Met Gala felt the absence of its reigning queen, Rihanna, who had to unfortunately bow out due to a flu, as confirmed by PEOPLE. Despite her intentions to attend and possibly steal the show, the illness sidelined both her and her partner, A$AP Rocky. Known for their fashionably late arrivals and show-stopping ensembles at past Galas, the couple’s absence this year left fans eagerly anticipating what could have been. Rihanna’s prior tease of a toned-down aesthetic in an interview hinted at a potentially different approach this year, raising hopes that perhaps the look might make a debut at a future event.
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Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid, once a staple on the Met Gala red carpet, was noticeably absent from this year’s event, despite recently being in New York City to promote her new perfume brand, Ôrəbella. Having moved to Texas and stepped back from full-time modeling, Bella has been reevaluating her career and lifestyle, seeking fulfillment beyond the fashion industry. In an interview with Allure, she expressed a desire to invest her energy into more reciprocative endeavors. Her absence at the 2024 Met Gala marks the second consecutive year she has skipped the event. Currently residing in Texas with her partner, Adan Banuelos, it seems Bella chose to prioritize personal time.
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Lady Gaga
Though it’s been several years since Lady Gaga showed up at the Met Gala, her unforgettable 2019 appearance still has people talking. Gaga stunned at the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” Gala by showcasing four looks in a single walk, starting with a dramatic pink cape and finishing in lingerie. This deffinetly set a standard for future appearances. Recently, just days before this year’s Met Gala, Gaga took to Instagram to express her love for music, hinting at her current focus. Despite rumors of an engagement to her long-time boyfriend Michael Polansky and her involvement in the upcoming film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the exact reasons for her absence this year remain unknown.
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Blake Lively
For the second year in a row, Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, decided to forego the Met Gala, stirring disappointment among fans who had hoped to catch a glimpse of the red carpet queen. Speculations about Lively’s participation were fueled when she was spotted at Pharrell Williams’ Tiffany & Co. collection launch in New York just days before the Gala. However, the couple opted for a quieter evening away from the spotlight. Given that they welcomed their fourth child in February of the previous year, it’s understandable that the parents might prefer a break from the hectic schedule of high-profile events. Despite being a long-standing highlight of the Met Gala, Lively’s absence this year, just like last year following the birth of her child, suggests a step back to focus on family and personal commitments.
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Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, along with her partner Travis Kelce, was absent from this year’s Met Gala as well, as many of her fans and industry insiders had anticipated. The reason behind her decision seems to revolve around her upcoming professional commitments. Swift is about to kick off the European leg of her Eras tour in Paris, just a few days post-Gala, focusing on rest, relaxation, and intensive rehearsals. This marks yet another year since Swift last attended the Met Gala in 2016, when she served as a co-chair. Despite receiving an invitation this year, several media outlets reported that Swift chose to pass on the event to ensure she was fully prepared for her return to the stage after a month-long break.
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Katy Perry
Katy Perry, known for her unforgettable and often whimsical Met Gala looks, was noticeably missing from this year’s event, continuing a trend of sporadic attendance. Despite fans’ high expectations for her interpretation of the “Garden of Time” theme, Perry engaged with her followers by sharing a viral AI-generated image that showed her in a fantastical floral gown, which she humorously captioned on Instagram, “Couldn’t make it to the MET, had to work.” Perry, who has been immersed in the latest season of “American Idol,” has consistently dazzled the Met Gala with her adventurous fashion choices in the past, including her iconic chandelier and cheeseburger ensembles.
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Ben Affleck
Despite his wife Jennifer Lopez being this years co-chair, Ben Affleck was absent, remaining in Los Angeles to continue filming “The Accountant 2.” This absence was purely professional and not indicative of any personal or marital issues. In fact, sources close to the couple have emphasized Affleck’s support for Lopez, noting that their relationship remains strong and supportive.
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Travis Barker & Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, who first attended the Met Gala red carpet together in 2023, were also absent from this year’s event. The couple, who recently celebrated the arrival of their first child together, Rocky, in November, opted instead for a family holiday in the Bahamas. Their decision to skip the gala comes as no surprise given their recent focus on family time, as evidenced by their Instagram posts showing moments from their tropical escape.
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Justin and Hailey Bieber
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber were missing from the 2024 Met Gala, sparking concern among fans after recent reports of Justin’s emotional struggles. According to Entertainment Tonight, Justin has been facing personal difficulties and has not been feeling like himself, which has been distressing for both him and Hailey. The couple has been focusing on supporting each other during this challenging time. Their last appearance together at the Met was in 2021, which was followed by an uncomfortable incident where fans chanted Selena Gomez’s name during their red carpet appearance. Since then, the Biebers have skipped the event, including last year’s and this year’s Galas.
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Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish, who has been a fixture at the Met Gala since her debut as co-chair in 2021, did not attend this year’s event, ending her three-year streak of appearances. Her absence from the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” themed gala is tied to the imminent release of her new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” scheduled for May 17. Amidst preparing for this career milestone and a world tour starting in September, Eilish remains focused on her music projects. Earlier today, she announced exclusive listening parties for the album in both Los Angeles and New York.
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Jared Leto
Jared Leto, known for his daring and often whimsical Met Gala ensembles, such as last year’s memorable homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, missed this year’s gala. The actor and musician’s absence is due to his commitment with his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, which is currently gearing up for their Seasons World Tour in Europe. In an early April interview with E! News, he shared his sentiments, saying, “Back on the road, it’s been five years. I will be there in spirit with my head and my cat wishing everybody a beautiful night.”
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Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet was also missing from this year’s Met Gala, continuing his break since 2021. Despite being in New York, where the Met Gala is held, Chalamet’s demanding schedule, including filming the Bob Dylan biopic titled “A Complete Unknown”, kept him from attending. His recent involvement in the intense press tour for *Dune: Part Two*, alongside co-stars like Zendaya—who was this year’s co-chair—and his ongoing project, likely left little room for the gala.
