Context:

Several high-profile celebrities skipped the 2026 Met Gala in New York, signaling shifting attendance dynamics even as marquee names appeared. Meryl Streep did not attend, citing sponsor Jeff Bezos, and others such as Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Timothée Chalamet, Lana Del Rey, Lizzo, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Callum Turner joined the ranks of notable absentees or solo entrants. The mix of non-attendance and sporadic appearances underscores personal, professional, and logistical factors shaping who participates. The trend points to evolving energy and challenge for future editions as organizers seek renewed momentum.

Dive Deeper:

• Meryl Streep did not attend the Met Gala, reportedly skipping the event because of Jeff Bezos's sponsorship; The Hollywood Reporter notes this is in line with her past pattern of non-attendance.

• Zendaya, a Met Gala staple, skipped this year after extensive press for The Drama and Euphoria; her stylist Law Roach attended solo, framing the night as a personal milestone for Roach.

• Sydney Sweeney broke a four-year attendance streak by not appearing on the red carpet; she debuted in 2022 and returned with notable outfits in 2024 and 2025.

• Dua Lipa and Callum Turner also opted out; the couple had debuted as a pair in 2025 and had recently been seen traveling in Denmark around the gala date.

• Lizzo chose to skip the event after previous years of attendance, including a 2019 debut and appearances in 2022 and 2023.

• Lana Del Rey did not appear after back-to-back Met Gala appearances, with her absence following recent Paris and New York Fashion Week appearances with husband Jeremy Dufrene.

• Miley Cyrus also sat out the gala this year, after attending in 2025; she had a history of consecutive appearances dating back to 2013, with major looks in 2015 and 2019.