Zendaya, Rachel Zegler among stars skipping Met Gala 2026

A number of high-profile celebrities are set to miss the Met Gala 2026, scheduled for Monday, May 4 in New York, as the fashion world prepares for one of its biggest annual events.

This year’s gala will revolve around the theme “Costume Art,” with a dress code titled “Fashion is Art,” curated by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute under the direction of Anna Wintour.

According to reports, actor Rachel Zegler will not attend due to professional commitments on the same day. Zendaya is also expected to be absent, reportedly taking a break after a busy promotional season and ahead of upcoming film projects.

Singer Florence Welch will miss the event due to a scheduled concert performance in Houston, while actors Sadie Sink and Rosamund Pike are likely to remain in London because of ongoing West End theatre commitments.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may also skip this year’s gala, with reports suggesting she could be engaged in filming abroad. She has previously described the theme as highly creative, noting that even observing the event can be enjoyable.

Veteran actor Meryl Streep is also not expected to attend. A representative stated that while she has long been invited and appreciates the event’s cultural significance, she has never viewed it as her personal scene.

Other notable absentees include New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and fashion figure Lauren Santo Domingo, both of whom are reportedly skipping the event this year.

Meanwhile, actor Billy Porter confirmed he has not been invited since 2019, adding that he avoids events where he is not welcomed.

The Met Gala, known for its star-studded guest list and extravagant fashion statements, continues to attract global attention even as several prominent figures choose to sit out this year’s edition.

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