The Met Gala is one of fashion’s most exclusive events, a who’s who extravaganza where celebrity and influence are on full display. But even if it’s a most coveted invitation, some the biggest names in celebdom don’t show up.
From strategic skips to scheduling conflicts — and even an occasional snub from the Anna Wintour (and now the Bezos’) curated guest list, here are seven stars who missed this year’s fête and were noticeably absent from this year’s Met Gala runway.
Zendaya: She and her fiance Tom Holland were in London’s Wimbledon on Monday afternoon. According to the Daily Mail, the couple was in the area around lunchtime, spending a brief moment at a flower stall and a coffee shop.
Cynthia Erivo: The Wicked star was also in London, performing in her one-woman show Dracula, at the Noël Coward Theatre in London’s West End.
Megan Thee Stallion: The “Body” singer ended her debut run on Broadway in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on May 1, after announcing her separation from Klay Thompson. She maintained her post-breakup privacy and didn’t attend this year’s Met festivities.
Michael B. Jordan: While the Oscar winner was a staple at the gala in the late 2010s, he hasn’t returned to the fashion carpet since 2019. Many say it’s due to his intense shooting schedule. Jordan has several projects in production through the rest of the year.
Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton, who co-hosted the Met Gala 2025, has been competing in the Miami Grand Prix. The racer and Kim Kardashian’s current squeeze said it was a “challenging weekend” after his car was damaged.
Pharrell Williams: Also a co-chair at the 2025 Met Gala, Williams and his wife Helen Lasichan skipped the 2026 festivities.
Nicki Minaj: In 2025, Thom Browne deconstructed the Grammy-winning artist’s pinstripe suit. But after her politically charged commentary over the past year, the rapper reportedly didn’t make this year’s guest list.