Wondering where your favorite celebrities were on the first Monday in May? Probably theMet Gala.
Fashion's biggest night of the year took place on May 4, with movie stars, singers, athletes and more (even robots!) arriving to The Metropolitan Museum of Art dressed for the "Costume Art" theme.
This year's event was full of plenty of surprises and statements, withHeated RivalrystarsConnor Storrie and Hudson Williams making their Met Gala debutandBeyoncéreturning after a decade, nearly shutting down the carpet when her 14-year-old daughter,Blue Ivy Carter,and her husband,Jay-Zjoined her for the affair.
However, despite the many Met Gala debuts and bold looks on the carpet, a few notable faces were absent from this year's festivities, including Met Gala regularsZendaya,Jennifer LopezandSarah Jessica Parker.
Here are 17 stars who skipped the 2026 Met Gala.
Zendaya
Zendaya has been just about everywhere in 2026 promoting several big projects this year, but she wasnotably absent from the Met Gala. The actress has been a mainstay at the fashion event and even served as the co-chair in 2024, but her stylistLaw Roachattended solo this year.
The Daily Mailreported that she and her partner,Tom Holland, were seen in London early in the day on Met Gala Monday.
Timothée Chalamet
Kylie Jennerreturned to the 2026 Met Gala dressed to the nines, while her boyfriendTimothée Chalametwasaway cheering on his favorite team.
TheDuneactor shared on his Instagram Stories that he missed the Met Gala in order to attend the New York Knicks game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
Chalamet also skipped the 2025 Met Gala for the game anddefended his choicenot to attend, saying on the7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthonypodcast that he was too "locked in" supporting the Knicks during the spring to attend fashion's biggest night.
Meryl Streep
Some Hollywood stars, likeMeryl Streep, have never walked the steps of The Met. Prior to the 2026 Met Gala,The Devil Wears Pradastar's rep told PEOPLE that despite Streep being the current cover star ofVogue, the outlet behind the event, the star-studded night is not "her scene."
“Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue,Anna [Wintour], and her incredible imagination and stamina—it has never quite been her scene," Streep's rep told PEOPLE.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieberskipped fashion's biggest night while his wife,Hailey Bieber, walked the steps solo. He alsoopted out of the 2025 Met Gala.
The couple made their Met Gala debut as husband and wife in 2021, but have not attended together since then.
Ryan Reynolds
Blake Livelyreturned to the Met Galathe same day it was announced that she andJustin Baldonisettled theirIt Ends with Uslegal battle— but the actress' husband,Ryan Reynolds, did not attend.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker haswalked the Met steps several timesover the years, but skipped out on the 2026 event after missing the prior year, too.
Bella Hadid
Though Gigi returned to the 2026 Met Gala, her supermodel sisterBella Hadidhasn't been since 2022.
Bella — who has been candid about herongoing battle with chronic illness— didn't directly say why she skipped the fashion event, but she toldAllurein April 2024 that she was taking a step back from the public eye and prioritizing attending events that feel right.
“For the first time now, I’m not putting on a fake face," she said. "If I don’t feel good, I won’t go. If I don’t feel good, I take time for myself. And I’ve never had the opportunity to do that or say that before. Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am. I am feeling better; my bad days now were my old good day."
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
While several pairs made their Met Gala debuts as a couple this year,Taylor Swiftand her fiancéTravis Kelcewerenot among the list.
It's been over a decade since the "Cruel Summer" singer has walked the Met steps, while the football star has never attended.
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Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeneystrutted down the Met steps several times after making her debut in 2022, but theEuphoriaactress was not in attendance in 2026.
The fashionable event came just a few days after Sweeneyattended the Stagecoach music festivalwith Scooter Braun.
Miley Cyrus
As someone who knows how to make a bold statement on a carpet, the Met Gala seems like a perfect place forMiley Cyrus. She is no stranger to the high-profile event, but this time, she took a year off.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilishmade herMet Gala debut in 2021, when she was also co-chair of the big event. Though she returned in the years since, the "Ocean Eyes" singer was absent both in 2025 and 2026.
Just days before Met Gala Monday, Eilish posted onInstagramthat she was in London for the premiere of her upcoming concert film,Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).
"our london premiere :’)," she wrote on Instagram. "this was so special and precious god i love you all so much. <333 HMH&S: THE TOUR (LIVE IN 3D) in theatres may 8th 💋 limited tix left to see it early 🤭🍿🎬."
Jennifer Lopez
It's been over two decades sinceJennifer Lopezmade her Met Gala debut. While Lopez has long been considered a Met Gala regular, the former co-chair hasn't returned since 2024.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigodidn't walk the Met Gala red carpet, but according toTeenVogue, the "Drop Dead" singer did make it to the afterparty.
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner
Dua LipaandCallum Turnermade theirred carpet debutat the 2025 Met Gala, but this year, the engaged couple skipped the event.
The "Levitating" singer shared photos onInstagramfrom Copenhagen, including a photo of her fiancé in a museum.
Selena Gomez
After making herMet Gala debutin 2014,Selena Gomezreturned several more times dressed in theme.
Neither her nor her husband,Benny Blanco, attended the 2026 event after making theirred carpet debut as a married coupleat the Academy Museum Gala in October 2025.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grandedidn't walk down the Met Gala red carpet this year. After making her debut at the star-studded night in 2018, she attended once more in 2024.
On Met Gala Monday, the singer instead was promoting her upcoming album,Petal, on her Instagram Stories.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gagaknows a thing or two about walking the Met steps. Afterseveral grand entrancesandextravagant looks, the "Bad Romance" singer was absent from the 2026 Met Gala. She also missed the event in 2025.
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