Which Celebrities Will Skip the 2025 Met Gala? A High-Stakes Guessing Game

Fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala, is rapidly approaching. Held annually on the first Monday in May, this year falling on May 5th, the event serves as a glamorous fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It’s an evening where art, fashion, and celebrity collide on the iconic museum steps, resulting in a red carpet spectacle unlike any other. Overseen by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, the guest list is notoriously exclusive, making an invitation one of the hottest tickets in town.

Each year, the buzz around the Met Gala builds to a fever pitch. Who will attend? What boundary-pushing looks will they wear? And, perhaps just as intriguingly, who won’t be making an appearance? Guessing the absentees has become a high-stakes game for fashion watchers and pop culture enthusiasts alike.

Confirmed Absences

Among the most notable confirmed absences are Met Gala power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Lively, often hailed as the “Queen of the Met Gala” for her consistently show-stopping, on-theme ensembles (including her iconic Statue of Liberty-inspired transforming gown in 2022), and Reynolds, her ever-dapper companion, will be missed. Sources confirm this marks their third consecutive year skipping the event. While speculation might link their absence to ongoing legal matters, insiders suggest the decision was made well in advance and is unrelated, simply stating they aren’t regulars who attend every single year, despite their previous co-chair status in 2022.

Also confirmed to be skipping are music superstars Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Both artists are scheduled to be on their massive “Grand National Tour” on May 5th, with a performance slated for Philadelphia that evening. Lamar, fresh off major Grammy buzz and his acclaimed album “GNX,” and SZA, whose “SOS” album continues its reign, are prioritizing their tour commitments. While their presence, especially given the theme’s focus on Black style and identity, would have been powerful, their tour schedules make attendance impossible.

The Usual Suspects: Will They or Won’t They?

Beyond the confirmed no-shows, speculation swirls around perennial A-listers whose attendance is never guaranteed. Beyoncé and Jay-Z, arguably the ultimate power couple, are notoriously selective about their Met Gala appearances. Beyoncé hasn’t graced the steps since 2016, despite releasing major, culturally impactful projects like Renaissance and Cowboy Carter. While fans hoped Cowboy Carter‘s release might signal a return, Queen Bey often prioritizes other commitments or simply opts for privacy.

Taylor Swift is another megastar whose Met Gala appearances are rare. Her last attendance was also in 2016, the year she co-chaired. Despite her monumental “Eras Tour” and constant presence in the cultural conversation, Swift often skips the event. With the European leg of her tour demanding focus, it seems unlikely 2025 will mark her return, dashing hopes of a red carpet debut with boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Rihanna is practically Met Gala royalty, known for her dramatic, theme-perfect entrances, often arriving fashionably late with partner A$AP Rocky (who is a co-chair this year alongside Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and honorary chair LeBron James). However, she unexpectedly missed the 2024 Gala due to the flu. While A$AP Rocky’s co-chair role makes her attendance seem highly probable, nothing is certain until she appears on the steps.

Scheduling Conflicts and Personal Priorities

The Met Gala requires significant time, preparation, and energy, which can be challenging for stars juggling demanding schedules or significant life events. Filming schedules for major blockbusters or television series often clash with the early May date. International tours, like Lamar’s and SZA’s, are concrete reasons for absence.

Personal priorities also play a major role. Celebrities with young children might choose to stay home. Others may simply desire a break from the intense spotlight and scrutiny the event brings. Some stars, like Demi Lovato, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, and Zayn Malik, have previously expressed negative sentiments about the event’s atmosphere, making their return unlikely. Lili Reinhart has even humorously suggested she might be “banned” after previous comments, though she admitted enjoying her time there.

Why Skip Fashion’s Biggest Night?

The reasons for skipping the Met Gala are varied:

• Scheduling Conflicts:Tours, filming, promotional duties, or other high-profile events can take precedence.
• Personal Choice:Desire for privacy, family time, or simply not enjoying the high-pressure environment.
• Theme Disinterest:While rare, a celebrity or designer might not connect with the year’s theme.
• Cost & Effort:The logistics, styling, and custom outfits require significant resources.
• Invitation Status:Though rarely discussed openly, not everyone receives an invitation every year, as the list is carefully curated by Wintour.
• Health:Unexpected illness, like Rihanna’s flu last year, can derail plans.

The Waiting Game

Until the limousines start arriving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5th, the final guest list remains shrouded in secrecy. Part of the Met Gala’s enduring allure lies in this anticipation and speculation. While we know Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA won’t be ascending the famous steps this year, countless other question marks remain. Who else will opt out? And more importantly, who will surprise us with their presence, delivering unforgettable fashion moments inspired by “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”? The guessing game continues, but one thing is certain: fashion’s biggest night promises excitement, artistry, and plenty of conversation.