Met Gala 2026: The Glitterati Who Gave This Year'S Ball A Miss

The Stars That Didn't Shine at the Met Gala 2026

The 2026 Met Gala, held at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, was a spectacle of glamour and creativity, as always. This year, the theme was "Costume Art," pushing attendees to showcase their most artistic interpretations of fashion. While many celebrities embraced the theme with bold and daring looks, a few notable stars decided to sit this one out.

Fans of Kylie Jenner were expecting a red carpet debut with her beau, Timothée Chalamet. However, Kylie made a solo appearance, leaving fans wondering about Chalamet's whereabouts. As it turns out, the "Call Me by Your Name" star was in New York City, but his heart was with his beloved New York Knicks. Chalamet opted to cheer them on courtside as they triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers, rather than attending the fashion fete.

Famous Faces Missing in Action

Some other unexpected no-shows included Ryan Reynolds, who usually accompanies his wife Blake Lively to such events. Lively, however, graced the Gala alone. Zendaya, another fan favorite, was absent too. Her stylist, Law Roach, simply stated, "She’s busy," leaving fans to speculate on her next big project.

Taylor Swift also skipped her anticipated return to the Met Gala alongside fiancé Travis Kelce. Meanwhile, Harry Styles decided to forgo the event, as did Bella Hadid, who left her sister Gigi to own the red carpet moment alone.

When Other Plans Take Priority

Brooks Nader didn't miss the party entirely but chose to support her sister Grace Ann Nader from afar. She shared a proud moment on Instagram from a pizzeria, savoring wine and family moments instead. Justin Bieber chose to let his wife, Hailey, shine solo, while Meryl Streep confirmed prior to the event that she wouldn't attend, as it's never been her scene.

Lastly, Dua Lipa was spotted enjoying a romantic getaway with fiancé Callum Turner in Copenhagen, far from the bustling NY scene. Sometimes, even the biggest names prefer a SoCal-style escape over the glitz of the Met.

"This year's Met Gala theme was mesmerizing," one fan commented online, "but sometimes life’s other commitments are just a tad more important."