The Met Gala stands as one of the most coveted events for celebrities since its inception in 1972 at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yet, a surprising array of A-listers, including Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, and Brad Pitt, have never graced the iconic red carpet.
Jennifer Aniston and the Brangelina Trio
Jennifer Aniston, 57, has received invitations to the annual Costume Institute benefit but finds the preparation overwhelming. ‘It’s the getting ready, the putting on the dress. I’m a “jeans and flip-flops and tank top” kind of girl,’ the Friends star shared in an interview. She added that while attendees celebrate each other, the event makes her nervous, though she now views it as unimportant in the grand scheme.
Angelina Jolie, 50, has skipped the so-called ‘Hollywood prom’ despite launching her Atelier Jolie fashion and art collective in Manhattan in 2023. She even designed a silver-pleated gown for Jon Batiste’s wife, Suleika Jaouad, at the 2024 Oscars. Jolie and Brad Pitt finalized their divorce in 2024, two decades after their romance began on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith while Pitt was married to Aniston.
Tom Holland and Powerhouse Singers
Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, 29, avoids the Met Gala red carpet to let girlfriend Zendaya shine solo. ‘It’s not my moment, it’s her moment, and if we go together, it’s about us,’ he explained. He supported her from afar last year at a nearby hotel and via Instagram in 2024.
Striking singers Mariah Carey, Adele, and Christina Aguilera have also never climbed the Met steps. Organizers invited Carey’s ex-husband Nick Cannon in 2006 and 2007. Adele may debut this year, with co-chair Beyoncé a key factor after Adele’s public praise during her 2017 Grammy speech.
Icons Like Dolly Parton and Royals
Dolly Parton, 80, a country music legend, has never attended despite her love for flashy fashion. She hosted a pet fashion special, Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala, in 2024.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have missed the event entirely. Met Gala co-chair Anna Wintour reportedly excludes the couple due to ties with the British Royal Family. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, who financed this year’s gala, hosted Kris Jenner’s party but skipped the Sussexes at their wedding.
Potential Debuts and Longtime Absences
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, known for sharp suits, receives his first invitation this year. Meryl Streep, set for The Devil Wears Prada 2, was slated to co-chair in 2020 before COVID-19 canceled it.
Legends over 80 like Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, Rita Moreno, and Carol Burnett have never appeared. Drake rapped his reason in 2022’s ‘Sticky’: ‘They only givin’ n***as plus ones / So I never pull up to the Met / You know I gotta bring the set.’
Leading men Robert Downey Jr., Jon Hamm, and Ryan Gosling remain no-shows. Britney Spears, 44, opted out even in her prime, once posting: ‘I was gonna go to Met Gala but instead I got in the tub with my dog and put PJs on! I hate flying.’
Helena Bonham Carter revealed on The Graham Norton Show in 2018 she’d never been invited, prompting Rihanna’s quip about her dresses. Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, sneaked into last year’s event with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, avoiding the official carpet.
Event Details
Individual tickets for the invite-only gala on May 5 rose to $100,000, with tables at $350,000. The ‘Fashion Is Art’ dress code ties into the ‘Costume Art’ theme, exploring the dressed body as art. The exhibition opens May 10 and runs through January 10, 2027.
