LeBron James skips Met Gala 2025 despite being honorary chair: 'Hate to miss a historical event'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: LeBron James did not make his long-anticipated debut at the 2025 Met Gala.

Just hours before the red carpet, the 40-year-old NBA icon revealed that a recent injury forced him to skip the event, despite being named an honorary chair months ago.

LeBron James cites knee injury as reason for skipping 2025 Met Gala

LeBron James shared the news on X on Monday, May 5, writing, “Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event!”

Though LeBron will not attend, he said his wife, Savannah James, will represent their family on the carpet.

The Los Angeles Lakers star suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his left knee during the first-round playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 30, according to ESPN. The Lakers were eliminated from the postseason in that game.

LeBron James calls wife Savannah a 'powerful queen'

The Met Gala is held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and raises funds for the Costume Institute.

This year’s event spotlights the spring 2025 exhibition, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which highlights Black fashion history and identity.

“My beautiful powerful Queen will be holding the castle down as she always has done!” LeBron added in the same post.

James also shared striking images on the team's Instagram account, showcasing her in a stylish teasing pre-Met Gala appearance.

Curator in Charge Andrew Bolton, according to People, said the exhibit is inspired by Monica L Miller’s 2009 book, 'Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic' Identity, and examines “the Black dandy as both a concept and an identity signifier”.

According to the museum’s Instagram post, the exhibit “presents a cultural and historical examination of Black style from the 18th century to the present through an exploration of the concept of dandyism.”

LeBron James was announced as an honorary chair for the 2025 Met Gala in October 2024, per Vogue, joining co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour.

Fans react to LeBron James backing out of Met Gala 2025

Online reactions to LeBron James's announcement were mixed.

“Michael Jordan would NEVER miss the Met Gala,” one fan said.

Another wrote, "Wtf i thought you were retiring, almost shed a tear."

Some praised LeBron’s decision, with one user stating, “This is why LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time 🐐.”

Others were more critical, suggesting, “The lengths you go to protect your legacy lmaooo you sad dawg.”

Another wrote, “Knee injury prevents Met Gala attendance. 😂 Come on man, you belong there with the other actors.”

Another user commented, “MJ wouldn’t miss it, just confirms he’s the goat once again.”

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