A-listers who skipped Met Gala 2025 and why: DETAILS

Fashion and Hollywood royalty came together under one roof for what’s dubbed fashion’s biggest night this Monday, May 5, when they put their best fashion foot forward at the Met Gala 2025 red carpet.

With Anna Wintour hosting the annual Costume Institute Benefit, and celebs like Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams co-chairing the event, the Met Gala 2025 was sufficiently glittery with a slew of A-Listers on the red carpet.

From Zendaya, Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter and Doechii, to the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Madonna, the guest was star-studded to say the least.

However, many prominent A-listers, and beloved Met veterans, chose to skip the event this year, including the honorary chair LeBron James.

Here’s some of the stars who chose to sit out this year’s Met Gala and why.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

A Met Gala staple at this point, Blake Lively chose to skip this year’s Met Gala, along with her husband Ryan Reynolds, amid her extremely controversial legal drama with her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni.

While the couple did not issue a statement on their absence from what is usually Blake’s big night out, a source told Us Weekly, “She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year.”

LeBron James

LeBron James, who was also the honorary co-chair for the Gala this year, was forced to sit out his Met Gala debut after unfortunately injuring his knee. Talk about wrong timing!

His wife, Savannah James, however, made sure the show went on and walked the red carpet on her own.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift may not be a Met Gala fixture, but each year, her attendance is one of the most-anticipated, despite her having missed the event every year since 2016!

This year too, her legion of fans waited with baited breathe hoping to see her walk up the Met steps with beau Travis Kelce, but the two chose to skip out.

As per sources, the couple is currently making the most of their much-needed downtime, after a busy few months (or even years!), and just want to lie low for a while.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez was expected to attend this year with her fiancé Benny Blanco this year, but they also chose to sit this one out, due to unclear reasons.

Fans, however, believe that the two may be entirely too busy with their current projects, including their joint album I Said I Love You First, which they have been relentlessly promoting the past month. We’re all for Selena and Benny kicking their feet back and enjoying the show from their phone screens like us!

Justin Bieber

Like his ex, Justin Bieber was also missing from the Met Gala red carpet despite his wife Hailey Bieber showing up.

While no reason for Justin’s absence has been provided, it is understood that given the singer’s recent scuffles with paps and the general concern around his mental health, he may have chosen to stay out of the spotlight.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé, like Taylor, hasn’t been on the Met steps since 2016’s Manus x Machina-themed Gala, and chose to keep the streak by skipping this year too.

However, this year, the Cowboy Carter hit maker had good reason to not attend; she is currently on her Cowboy Carter Tour and was due to perform at the SoFi Stadium in LA.

Lady Gaga

After putting up crazy shows at Coachella and then in Brazil, Lady Gaga would’ve rocked the Met steps, but alas the Abracadabra singer was absent.

As per reports, Gaga is busy prepping for her Mayhem Ball Tour and also, must understandably be tired from putting on a record-breaking performance for some 2.5 million people days before!

Katy Perry

The pop girls are busy, busy! Katy Perry also skipped the Met Gala this year, given that she’s currently on her Lifetimes Tour.

And she’s fresh out of space too!

Gisele Bundchen

Former top model and fashion IT-girl Gisele Bundchen was not seen on the Met Gala 2025 red carpet and for good reason. The statuesque beauty recently welcomed her third child, and first with partner Joaquim Valente.

With a newborn at home, no one can blame Gisele for sitting this one out!