The 2026 Met Gala is probably the most coveted invitation of the year, and if you get on the guest list, chances are you’re going. Unless you’re simply too busy/cool/unbothered, which…fair enough!
Every year, some major celebs skip the Met Gala despite being at the top of everyone’s invite list (ahem, Zendaya), and this year the skips were pretty notable. Here’s everyone who passed on attending “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Bella Hadid
Bella skipped the Met Gala for the fourth time in a row this year, and while she didn’t explicitly confirm the reason, she did drop a pointed Like on a video criticizing Jeff Bezos’s involvement in the annual event.
Taraji P. Henson
Despite being a Met Gala regular, Taraji decided to skip this year after Liking the same video that Bella did...and she even commented, “I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”
Ariana Grande
For the second year in a row, Ari opted to skip the Met Gala red carpet, likely because she’s busy gearing up for The Eternal Sunshine Tour and the release of her eighth album, petal.
Harry Styles
Though his (rumored) fiancée Zoë Kravitz was in attendance, Harry skipped this year, likely because he’s busy getting ready for his Together, Together tour.
Zendaya
Ahead of the Met Gala, Elle confirmed that Zendaya would not be attending following her (very!!) busy press tours for The Drama and Euphoria.
Meryl Streep
Yes, there were whispers that the legendary actor might attend her first-ever Met Gala in honor of The Devil Wears Prada 2, but her reps shut those rumors down, telling BuzzFeed that the annual event “has never quite been her scene.”
Taylor Swift
Fans hoped to see Taylor hit her first Met Gala in a decade, but no such luck! She’s likely too busy preparing for her upcoming wedding to Travis Kelce, which is (reportedly!) taking place on July 3.
Olivia Rodrigo
Cosmo cover girl Olivia also skipped this year, as she’s busy prepping for the release of her third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney posted pics of herself in Australia ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, so it seems that distance kept her away this year.
Lewis Hamilton
Yes, I was hoping to see a Lewis and Kim hard-launch at the Met Gala, but seeing as Lewis is just coming off the Miami Grand Prix, he probably needed a night off!
Sadie Sink
After making her Met Gala debut in 2025, Sadie was sadly a no-show this year, as she’s currently starring in Romeo & Juliet in London’s West End and had a show the same night.
Timothée Chalamet
Why wasn’t Timmy at the Met Gala with his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, you ask? Because he was busy watching a Knicks game, of course!
Callum Turner and Dua Lipa
After making their Met Gala couple debut last year, Callum and Dua skipped in 2026 in order to take a trip to Copenhagen.
Demi Lovato
Demi was absent from the Met Gala for the second year in a row because she’s currently booked and busy with her It’s Not That Deep Tour. Sorry not sorry!!
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra
Between Nick’s tour schedule with the Jonas Brothers and Priyanka’s press tour for Citadel (and Varanasi filming schedule), it just wasn’t happening for these two this year.
Justin Bieber
For the fifth year in a row, Justin skipped the Met while his wife Hailey Bieber attended solo, which isn’t shocking, considering he’s only ever attended twice. It’s simply not his thing!
Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo just wrapped her press tour for Office Romance, so it’s understandable that she decided to sit out the Met Gala this year.
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