The first Monday in May is traditionally the most glittering date on the global fashion calendar, but the 2026 Met Gala was defined as much by its high-profile absences as it was by its “Costume Art” red carpet displays.
While Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez served as honorary chairs—overseeing a star-studded parade including Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman—several of the world’s biggest icons were conspicuously missing from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s iconic steps.
From grueling world tours to personal “not welcome” snubs, here is the editorial breakdown of why Hollywood’s heavy hitters sat out the £73k-a-ticket event this year.
The Self-Care Sabbatical: Bella Hadid and Zendaya
For the fourth consecutive year, supermodel Bella Hadid was a no-show. Hadid, who once reigned supreme as a Met Gala staple, has famously traded the Manhattan spotlight for a quieter life on a Texas ranch.
Her absence aligns with her 2024 mission statement to Allure, where she emphasized prioritizing mental health over public appearances.
“If I don’t feel good, I won’t go,” she told the publication, a sentiment that seems to have stuck as she skips the 2026 season.
Similarly, Zendaya—the undisputed queen of Met Gala “method dressing”—opted for a break.
After a relentless 2025 and early 2026 spent promoting The Drama and the latest season of Euphoria, insiders report the actress is “taking a breather.”
She was last spotted supporting partner Tom Holland at his Bero non-alcoholic beer launch, proving that for now, low-key loyalty beats high-fashion pageantry.
The Tour Conflict: Harry Styles and Ariana Grande
Musical powerhouses often find the Met Gala’s timing difficult to navigate, and 2026 was no exception.
Harry Styles, despite rumors of a “hard launch” engagement with Zoë Kravitz, was nowhere to be seen.
While Kravitz stunned in Saint Laurent lace, Styles was reportedly deep in rehearsals for his upcoming Together, Together tour, which kicks off in Amsterdam on May 16.
Ariana Grande also missed her second gala in a row. Between filming the Focker-In-Law sequel and preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, the singer’s schedule is at capacity.
Sources suggest she is also prioritizing the final touches on her eighth studio album, Petal, which is rumored for a late 2026 release.
Perhaps the most intriguing absence was Meryl Streep.
Despite feverish rumors that she would finally make her debut to promote the highly anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2, the triple Oscar winner remained home.
The irony is not lost on fashionistas: Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, is widely believed to be a fictionalized version of Met Gala visionary Anna Wintour.
However, Streep’s representative confirmed to People that while the actress respects Wintour’s “incredible imagination,” the gala has simply “never been her scene.”
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Streep has even declined invitations to co-chair the event in the past, maintaining her distance from the fashion industry’s “Oscars.”
The “Unwelcome” Truth: Billy Porter
While some stars choose to stay away, actor Billy Porter offered a more sobering perspective on the guest list.
Porter, whose 2019 “Gold Pegasus” entrance is etched in Met history, revealed he hasn’t been invited back since that appearance.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Bevelations, Porter was candid: “I don’t go to places where I’m not welcome.”
He noted that he was overlooked even during years where the theme—such as last year’s “Black Dandyism”—seemed tailor-made for his aesthetic.
His absence highlights the gatekeeping nature of the event, where even viral moments don’t guarantee a permanent seat at the table.
The Rumor Mill: Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian
The sports world was watching for Lewis Hamilton, with many expecting the F1 legend to confirm his rumored romance with Kim Kardashian on the red carpet.
The pair were recently spotted on a romantic surf date in Malibu, leading fans to hope for a “hard launch” at the Met.
However, Hamilton’s racing commitments and personal projects kept him away, leaving Kardashian to walk the carpet solo in a dramatic, waist-cinching ensemble.
A Year of Downtime: Sydney Sweeney
Finally, Sydney Sweeney proved that even the busiest actress in Hollywood needs a day off.
Rather than squeezing into a corset for the Met, Sweeney shared wholesome photos from Taronga Zoo in Australia.
With eight projects currently listed on her IMDb and a massive press cycle for Euphoria behind her, the blonde bombshell opted for family time over the flashbulbs of New York.
As the 2026 Met Gala concludes, it’s clear that “exclusive” now applies as much to the stars who choose to stay home as those who make the cut.