8 celebrities who have been banned from the Met Gala or don't want to go again

8 celebrities who were banned from or simply won't attend the Met Gala

The Met Gala, an iconic event blending high fashion and celebrity glamour, remains a coveted affair for many in the entertainment industry. However, not all stars receive a golden ticket to this prestigious soiree. Due to reasons ranging from outspoken criticisms to personal clashes, several notable figures find themselves conspicuously absent from the Met Gala's guest list. Here's a closer look at the celebrities who won't be gracing the steps of the Met this year, whether by choice or by Anna Wintour's decree.

1. Rachel Zoe

Speculations swirl around Zoe's exclusion following her remarks on the Gala's influence versus Vogue's impact on designers. There were rumors that Rachel had been excluded from the Met Gala invite list after she told the New York Times, “Anna Wintour is one of my heroes, but they say that I’m more influential. As great as it is, Vogue won’t change a designer’s business. But if an unknown brand is worn by a certain person in a tabloid, it will be the biggest designer within a week.”

2. Donald Trump

Anna Wintour's unequivocal ban on the former president confirms his absence from the Gala's star-studded affair. When asked which celebrity she would never invite to the Met Gala, Anna Wintour replied, "Donald Trump."

3. Demi Lovato

In a 2018 interview with Billboard, Demi Lovato opened up about her Met Gala experience, describing it as "terrible" and "cliquey." She revealed, "I remember being so uncomfortable that I wanted to drink,” said Lovato, who has struggled with addiction in the past. “I changed my clothes, but I still had my diamonds on — millions of dollars of diamonds on in an AA meeting. And I related more to the homeless people in that meeting who struggled with the same struggles that I deal with than the people at the Met Gala.”

4. Zayn Malik

In a 2018 interview with GQ Magazine, former One Direction member Zayn Malik reflected on his experience attending the Met Gala in 2016. He expressed, "Now, it’s not something I would go to.” I’d rather be sitting at my house, doing something productive, than dressing up in really expensive clothes and being photographed on a red carpet. To do the self-indulgent ‘Look at me, I’m amazing’ thing on the red carpet, it’s not me.”

5. Amy Schumer

During a 2016 interview with Howard Stern, comedian Amy Schumer described attending the Met Gala as "punishment." She expressed disdain for the event, likening it to people putting on a facade of conversation. Schumer stated, "It’s people doing an impression of having a conversation. I don’t like the farce." Additionally, she emphasized her lack of interest in fashion.

6. Tina Fey

In a 2010 interview with talk show host David Letterman, comedian Tina Fey echoed Amy Schumer's sentiment about the Met Gala, describing it as a "jerk parade." Fey recounted attending the event with her husband, admitting that she still faced repercussions for it. She expressed frustration with the abundance of attendees, stating, "Everyone is there, everyone. If you had a million arms, all the people you would want to punch are there." Fey concluded by firmly stating, "Clearly I will never go again."

7. Gwyneth Paltrow

In 2013, Gwyneth Paltrow expressed her dissatisfaction with the Met Gala in an interview with USA Today, stating, “I’m never going again.” The Goop creator and ski-incident court case victor described the event as "so un-fun," citing the heat and overcrowding as major drawbacks. “It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all." Despite her initial stance, the Oscar award winner attended the event in 2017 and 2019, bringing her total Met Gala appearances to seven.

8. Lili Reinhart

After attending the Met Gala last year, the 'Riverdale' actor openly criticized Kim Kardashian's rapid weight loss for the event. Lili Reinhart expressed her disapproval on Instagram, stating that such actions set a harmful example for impressionable fans. In a subsequent interview with W Magazine, she hinted that her outspokenness might have cost her future invitations to the prestigious event. "Was fun, but after going again this year, I don’t think I’ll be invited back...I said a certain something about a certain person in a certain dress.”