The 2026 Met Gala was full of stars and a few surprises — but some notable names missed out on all the fun.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted their annual charity ball on Monday, May 4, with a “Costume Art” theme where attendees were encouraged to dress in their best looks that embodied the “Fashion Is Art” dress code.
Most celebs nailed the trend while others missed the mark, but a few just didn’t even show up.
Kylie Jenner, for example, walked the red carpet solo on Monday, while some fans were convinced that the reality star would be attending alongside boyfriend Timothée Chalamet for the first time. While the couple has been together for about three years, they’ve been more public in recent months. However, Jenner and Chalamet didn’t make their romance Met Gala official.
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The most shocking part? The actor was absolutely in New York City — he just had a prior commitment.
Keep scrolling to see who missed out on this year’s Met Gala:
Timothee Chalamet
Any fan of Chalamet will tell you the New York Knicks is the actor’s great love. So, it was no surprise that he skipped out on the Met Gala to sit courtside at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks took on the Philadelphia 76ers, winning 137-98.
Ryan Reynolds
Usually, Reynolds is by his wife’s side for a major event, but Blake Lively attended the Met Gala solo on Monday.
Zendaya
While Zendaya is having a major year, the fan-favorite Met Gala attendee did not attend. Her famed stylist, Law Roach, was asked why on Monday, and he gave a response that was short and sweet. “She’s busy,” Roach noted.
Taylor Swift
Yes, everyone thought Swift would make her highly anticipated Met Gala return on Monday alongside fiancé Travis Kelce — but that just wasn’t the case.
Harry Styles
While Zoë Kravitz walked the red carpet (hiding her left hand, by the way), Styles decided to skip out on the big event.
Bella Hadid
The Hadid sisters usually shut down the red carpet, but only Gigi made an appearance while her sister, Bella, sat this one out.
Brooks Nader
Brooks wasn’t in New York City for the Met Gala but her sister Grace Ann Nader did get a chance to walk the red carpet.
“PROUD SISSY!” Brooks shared via Instagram Stories on Monday, posting a photo of herself drinking wine at a pizzeria.
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Justin Bieber
Despite attending the Met Gala in the past, Justin skipped out on the event and let wife Hailey Bieber be the star of the show.
Meryl Streep
It was confirmed before the event that Streep wouldn’t be in attendance.
“Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended,” her rep told People on Monday. “While she appreciates Vogue, Anna [Wintour], and her incredible imagination and stamina — it has never quite been her scene.”
Dua Lipa
Yes, she was on vacation. The singer and her fiancé, Callum Turner, were on a trip to Copenhagen.
