Why were these stars notably absent from the Met Gala 2025?

As we pore over everyone's outfits, some famous faces have been noted as conspicuously absent from 2025’s Met Gala proceedings

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Before the live streams of the Met Gala 2025 even began, the event had already experienced its share of controversy.

First, John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg revealed he was “boycotting” the event at the end of April, saying “it's not the time for a party like that.” Thankfully for its organiser, Dame Anna Wintour, this did not catch on.

Naomi Campbell at the Met Gala, 2019

Invision/AP

Other headlines were drawn towards familiar Met faces who were sadly not in attendance this year.

This includes supermodel Naomi Campbell who, in a YouTube video she posted earlier this week, said the 2024 Met Gala would be her “final one”.

“It is my last Met,” she said to the camera, as part of her Being Naomi series. “I can't, I'm too old. It's too much for me. The anxiety. I don't know what number this is for me, I think it could be number 20 or 21. Can you imagine?”

A few hours before the event, she squashed rumours she had not been invited, writing on Instagram: “I was so honored to be invited to tonight's big event, but regretfully cannot make it.”

She also took time to congratulate “Anna Wintour, the brilliant designers, the dedicated Met Gala team, and stunning attendees of tonight's extraordinary celebration.”

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the Met Gala, 2022

AFP via Getty Images

She continued: “I have to say, what perfect timing for the 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme. It really celebrates how Black dandyism has shaped fashion and how fashion has been a way for Black people to express who they are and claim their power.”

Friends seemed disappointed with the decision, and actor Jodie Turner-Smith commented: “Still sad you decided not to come”.

Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham at the Met Gala, 2023

Getty Images

Also missing from proceedings was Met power couple, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The pair have said it is not due to Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. A source told Us Weekly the move is not "out of character. She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year."

According to TMZ, the couple had planned on snubbing the Met in favour of the Beckham patriarch’s birthday, but they missed both events instead.

Meanwhile, Justin Bieber was also notably absent from the arm of Hailey Bieber, who turned up alone, wearing a Saint Laurent blazer dress. This has raised the alarm for some, with concerns over Justin Bieber’s mental state ongoing as he makes complaints about paparazzi attention and worries fans with his off-kilter public appearances.

However, Bieber appeared to be fine at home, cuddled up on his sofa, watching a hockey game, as per Instagram. Of Hailey Bieber’s five Met Gala appearances, Justin Bieber has only attended with her once, the same amount of times as her ex, Shawn Mendes, who she dated for a year. But the Met isn’t for everybody!

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