The Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night, draws out celebrities to show off the most iconic looks of their careers.
However, not every A-lister has decided to attend the party. There are plenty of living legends who, for whatever reason, have chosen not to attend the event, including Meryl Streep, Will Smith, the entire cast of “Friends,” and more.
Here are some of the biggest celebrities to have skipped the Met Gala so far.
Victoria Montalti and Elana Klein contributed to a prior version of this story.
Meryl Streep
A three-time Academy Award winner and nine-time Golden Globe winner, Meryl Streep is accustomed to red carpets.
However, although the acting legend has starred in several fashion-forward roles in movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and its recent sequel — in which she essentially played Met Gala organizer and Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour — and “Mamma Mia,” she’s never attended the Met Gala.
Streep was supposed to be a Met Gala cochair for the 2020 event. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it from taking place that year.
She was not re-added as a cochair when the Met Gala was held again in 2021, and has skipped every year since.
Ryan Gosling
Contrary to what his popularity and his role as the clothes-horse Ken in “Barbie” might suggest, Ryan Gosling has never been to the Met Gala.
This was particularly surprising in 2023, as “Barbie” was the biggest hit of the year, and again in 2026 after the success of “Project Hail Mary.”
Angelina Jolie
With her perfect mix of edgy and elegant style, it’s shocking that the actor has never attended the event, particularly in the 2000s, when she was at the height of her Hollywood career.
The costuming and cinematic masterpiece of the “Maleficent” films also seemed like perfect opportunities for Jolie to make her Met Gala debut. However, we’re still waiting for that day.
The cast of “Friends”
Somehow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, or Matthew Perry (before his death in 2023) ever attended the event.
While the Met’s attendees include fashion’s elite, the guest list also includes the biggest names of the moment, so it’s surprising that none of the powerhouse “Friends” cast made appearances when the show was on the air or afterward, when their careers — especially Aniston‘s — and personal lives made headlines.
Drake
No, Drake was never Rihanna’s date to the Met Gala. While rappers like ASAP Rocky, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, and Migos have all made appearances, the Canadian star has not.
Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda
The “9 to 5” cast of acting legends and fashion icons has never been at the big night.
Fashion icon Dolly Parton has walked many red carpets, but never one for the Met Gala. Her “9 to 5” costars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin also haven’t.
Each of these women is a legend with a very active career. They also know how to make a statement with their outfits: Parton with sparkles and fringe, Fonda with sleek silhouettes, and Tomlin with graphic T-shirt-and-blazer combos.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
The often-controversial couple has always been carefully watched by the public, making headlines and starting heated debates. However, they undoubtedly also have some pretty great red-carpet couple looks.
One carpet they never walked on is the Met Gala. Their children, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, have attended, though.
Adele
The music icon’s 2021 comeback also cemented her spot as a fashion icon. Whether performing in outstanding gowns sans heels or sitting courtside in striking coats, she turns heads with her style choices.
Although the “Easy on Me” singer hasn’t attended the event yet, there’s hope for her debut since she’s returned to the limelight in recent years.
Britney Spears
When the Princess of Pop was at her height of fame in the 2000s, you may have suspected she walked the Met Gala’s red carpet, but she didn’t.
It would’ve been fitting to see Spears reinterpret her eccentric tour costumes and award-show style to match the unique Met Gala themes.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
Many royals, including Princess Diana, have graced the fashion spectacle, but Prince William and Kate Middleton are not yet part of that club.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are one of the most talked-about couples on the planet. Shockingly, not even one of their best couple looks has been at the Met Gala.
Helena Bonham Carter
If there’s any celebrity who could have a Met Gala theme based on them, it’s probably Helena Bonham Carter. The actor is always dressed in vintage-punk Vivienne Westwood and Tim Burton-esque looks.
While her character in “Ocean’s 8” attends the Met in a fabulous gown, Bonham Carter hasn’t been in real life.
In a 2018 interview on “The Graham Norton Show” in the UK, Bonham Carter said she’d never been invited. Her costar Rihanna jokingly explained, “That’s because you wear dresses like that,” pointing to Bonham Carter’s funky printed look.
Christina Aguilera
While the Met Gala is the perfect platform to showcase entertainers’ cool and quirky styles, Christina Aguilera has never had the chance to be part of it.
The “Genie in a Bottle” singer has been busy creating music, touring, acting, and creating an image for herself for most of her life.
While her fan base would no doubt be excited to see her flaunt her style at the Met, they’ll have to keep waiting.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is a red-carpet staple, always in a dapper suit and always with a new hairdo. It seems surprising that he’s never been to the Met, especially when his costars and friends like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jonah Hill have.
But like his famous exes, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, Pitt has also steered clear.
Carrie Underwood
With eight Grammys, 16 ACM awards, dozens of CMT awards, and many more awards, Underwood has proven she’s a singing sensation.
But she hasn’t attended the Met Gala — not back in the day when she won “American Idol” and not now, when she’s still serving red-carpet glamour.
Tom Holland
While many superheroes have graced the Met Gala red carpet sans armor, some key actors have not.
Tom Holland (Spider-Man) should surely have been invited over the years with his partner, Zendaya, but the two have never attended the event together.
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