There is a lot of chatter about celebrities who have decided to boycott the 2026 Met Gala, but there are others who you’ve never seen walk those steps.
On the first Monday of May, Hollywood stars have traversed those steep steps at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
From music legends, rising stars, models, actors to well-known faces, the biggest night in fashion attracts a number of celebrities.
But there are icons who, despite receiving an invite, decide to snub the Met Gala. ‘Why?’, you may ask. Well, we reveal all below.
Why are celebrities boycotting the 2026 Met Gala?
This year’s Met Gala has sparked backlash among protestors and some celebrities following Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’s sponsorship.
Some have highlighted Jeff’s link to United States President Donald Trump, others have noted the alleged working environment of his Amazon employees.
Which celebrities didn’t attend the 2026 Met Gala?
Whether their lack of attendance was due to the boycott, little interest or not invited, we don’t know. But there are a number of celebrities who didn’t attend this year’s Met Gala, including Bella Hadid, Zendaya, Taraji P. Henson, and Dakota Johnson.
Which celebrities have never attended the Met Gala?
Jennifer Aniston
While her Friend’s character Rachel Green would run leaps and bounds to attend a Met Gala, Jennifer Aniston would rather skip it.
In late 2025, the Morning Wars actress revealed why.
“Yes, I have [been invited], but I don’t go. It overwhelms me,” Jennifer told Glamour.
“It’s the getting ready, the putting on the dress. I’m a jeans and flip-flops and tank top kind of girl…. I love dressing up too, but for me it’s a mental game of … ‘Let’s get dressed up, put on a fancy dress, makeup, get your hair all ‘purdy’ and go sit in a big room with your peers.’
“Everyone’s there to celebrate each other and have some fun, but I get nervous.”
Meryl Streep
The Oscar-winning actress that could silence an entire room of her peers with one look, has never attended the Met Gala – by choice of course.
“Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended,” Meryl Streep’s representative has previously revealed.
“While she appreciates Vogue, Anna [Wintour], and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.”
Angelina Jolie
The Lara Croft actress knows how to steal the spotlight at premieres, but unfortunately, Angelina Jolie has no interest in bringing that glamour to the Met.
Dolly Parton
She’s walked many red carpets, but the 9 to 5 singer has never attended the Met Gala.
