The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrated the Costume Institute’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition. While many celebrities dazzled on the red carpet, several Met Gala veterans were notably absent, leading to speculation among fans.
Beyoncé, who has impressed attendees with stunning looks since her debut in 2008, missed the event for the ninth consecutive year due to her ongoing Cowboy Carter tour, which commenced just days earlier. Similarly, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were both invited but did not attend, opting for private time together following Swift’s Eras Tour and Kelce’s football commitments. Swift last graced the Met Gala in 2016 as a co-chair and has yet to return.
Other absences included Lady Gaga, who did not attend following a performance in Rio de Janeiro just days prior, and Billie Eilish, who was busy performing in Europe for her own tour. Justin Bieber skipped the gala, although his wife, Hailey, attended and showcased her outfit on Instagram.
Additionally, the Kardashian family had a mixed presence, with Kim, Kendall, and Kylie in attendance while Kris, Khloé, and Kourtney were absent, a trend observed in recent years regarding their participation.
Jennifer Lopez also missed this year’s gala, and Sarah Jessica Parker, often a Met Gala regular, cited work commitments as her reason for absence. Meanwhile, LeBron James announced his withdrawal just hours before the event due to a knee injury, leaving his wife, Savannah, to represent him.
Performers SZA and Kendrick Lamar, who were both on tour, similarly missed the gala, and The Weeknd continued his streak of absence after not attending in recent years. Finally, Selena Gomez hasn’t attended since 2018, maintaining a low profile in the high-fashion setting.
Despite the notable absences, the event attracted fresh faces like Doechii, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and Coco Jones, showing that the Met Gala continues to evolve while still being a grand tradition in the fashion world. The event remains a vibrant showcase of creativity and artistry, highlighting both established names and emerging talent in the industry.