Zendaya was noticeably missing from the 2026 Met Gala.
The Euphoria star, 29, was not in attendance at the Monday, May 4, event in honor of the “Costume Art” theme. Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach addressed her absence, telling Zuri Hall during Live From E!, “She’s busy.”
Over the past decade, Zendaya has attended the Met Gala seven times, never disappointing with her high-fashion ensembles. After making her debut in 2015, she left a lasting impression on the red carpet in a Cinderella-inspired Tommy Hilfiger gown in 2019.
Five years later, Zendaya returned as a gala cochair, walking the red carpet twice in two distinct looks. She stunned in an elaborate Maison Margiela by John Galliano dress before making a wardrobe change into a black vintage Givenchy couture gown and floral headpiece.
Met Gala 2026: Stars Embrace ‘Costume Art’ Theme With Bold Red Carpet Looks
Zendaya most recently attended the Met Gala in 2025, stealing the show in a white Louis Vuitton zoot suit and matching hat. Coincidentally, Anna Sawai wore a very similar ensemble, though the Shōgun actress’ was designed by Dior.
After their accidental coordination made headlines, Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, addressed the pair’s reaction to Sawai’s look.
“I think people thought there was some kind of disappointment on our end,” Roach, 47, told Entertainment Tonight in May 2025. “[Sawai’s] stylist Karla Welch and I are very friendly. We’ve known each other for years, and Karla and I talked. Zendaya sent Anna flowers because it was her first Met.”
He continued: “It wasn’t any disappointment. It was two people paying homage to two different people: Yoko [Ono] being Anna’s inspiration and Diana [Ross] and Bianca [Jagger] being ours. It just happened. And they both looked great and they’re both beautiful women. I mean, I hate the way that people try to pin women or stylists [against each other]. It was just all great. They both looked great.”
Zendaya’s Met Gala Looks Through the Years: Every Outfit She’s Worn
Since her appearance at last year’s Met Gala, Zendaya has sparked marriage rumors with Tom Holland. Roach set off a firestorm in March when he told Access Hollywood, “The wedding has already happened. You missed it.” When pressed about the revelation, he added, “It’s very true.”
Zendaya subsequently fueled the speculation by wearing a gold band on the ring finger of her left hand. However, neither she nor Holland, 29, has confirmed their marriage.
In March, Zendaya played coy when Jimmy Kimmel referenced how “the internet went berserk” with rumors that she “might actually be married to Tom.”
“Really? I haven’t seen any of that,” she responded with a laugh during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance.
Zendaya then shared that some of the duo’s loved ones were deceived by AI-generated wedding photos circulated on social media.
“Many people have been fooled by them while I was just out and about in real life,” she explained. “People are like, ‘Oh, my God, your wedding photos are gorgeous!’ I was like, ‘Babe, they’re AI! They’re not real!’”
