A cavalcade of A-list celebrities sadly skipped the 2024 Met Gala this year despite their highly anticipated comebacks.
Among the stars who were sorely missed at the annual soiree, which takes place annually on the first Monday in May, were some pretty surprising names and fashion's favorites.
Many were left disappointed when they did not see Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber take center stage at the fundraising benefit.
While the Cruel Summer hitmaker, 34, declined her invitation to focus on preparing for the European leg of her sold-out Eras Tour, which will kickstart on Thursday in Paris, Rihanna ended up having to stay home after falling ill with the flu.
As several members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan ascended the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, two particular sisters were also noticeably and surprisingly absent.
Ultimately, spectators of the 2024 Met Gala dubbed it the most disappointing in years, made worse by the glaring absence of Hollywood's biggest fashion risk takers, like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.
A cavalcade of A-list celebrities sadly skipped the 2024 Met Gala this year despite their highly anticipated comebacks. Among the stars who were sorely missed at the annual soiree were some pretty surprising names and fashion's favorites. Many were left disappointed when they did not see Khloe Kardashian, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber among many others on the star-studded red carpet
Khloe Kardashian
For this year's event, which was titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, Khloe Kardashian, 39, was not amongst her sisters Kim, Kendall, Kylie and their mother Kris Jenner, 68.
Instead, the reality TV star watched from home and showed support to her family on social media.
Khloe made her first and last appearance at the fashion fête in 2022 — which also happened to be the same Met Gala that Kourtney Kardashian, 45, had attended with her then-fiancé and now-husband Travis Barker, 48.
Presumably from home in Calabasas, Khloe cheered her family members on as they bodied the Garden of Time theme this year by posting snaps of their looks alongside high praise.
'I am NOT OK!!!!!!! Holy smokes Batman,' she wrote alongside a glamour shot her sister Kim, 43, had shared to her own Instagram page with her 363 million followers.
In the snap, Kim sparked a shocking reactions as she modeled an astonishingly small, custom Maison Margiela corset.
Khloe also reposted a clip of Kendall, 28, shared by Vogue and gushed over her semi-sheer vintage Givenchy dress with derrière cut-outs.
Addressing her half-sister directly, she wrote: 'Kendall you are a living angel! Wow!!!!!
For this year's event, which was titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, Khloe Kardashian, 39, was not amongst her sisters Kim, Kendall, Kylie and their mother Kris Jenner, 68. Instead, the reality TV star watched from home and showed support to her family on social media. She cheered her family members on as they bodied the Garden of Time theme this year by posting snaps of their looks alongside high praise
After reposting a glamour shot of Kim, Khloe shared a clip of Kendall, 28, originally posted by Vogue and gushed over her semi-sheer vintage Givenchy dress with derrière cut-outs
She also fawned over half-sister Kylie, 26, and her ivory, bullet bra-inspired corset dress
Taking to her Instagram page once again, Khloe also gushed over the matriarch's look as she made her grand arrival
She also showed her support for her best gal pal La La Anthony, 41, who turned heads in a black lace Alexander McQueen gown with red floral details
'I am not ok if anyone is concerned,' she added. 'I think I need to be resuscitated.'
She also fawned over half-sister Kylie, 26, and her ivory, bullet bra-inspired corset dress.
Khloe raved: 'A vintage Barbie!!!!!!! A vintage Barbie!!!'
Taking to her Instagram page once again, Khloe also gushed over the matriarch's look as she made her grand arrival alongside longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, 43.
'My forever and ever and ever queen!!!!! My regal mama! I drool for you always.'
She also showed her support for her best gal pal La La Anthony, 41, who turned heads in a black lace Alexander McQueen gown with red floral details.
Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet, 28, did not make his Met Gala debut with girlfriend Kylie Jenner this year. He last attended the fête in 2021 — when he served as a co-chair and wore sweatpants for his look; seen in 2021
Kylie's Met Gala appearance comes after it was rumored she was pregnant and was expecting a baby with beau Timothée Chalamet, 28.
Arriving without the Dune actor by her side, she finally shut down the fan speculation for good.
However, Chalamet did not make his Met Gala debut with Kylie this year.
He last attended the fête in 2021 — when he served as a co-chair and wore sweatpants for his look.
Recently, he had been busy filming the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Annual showstopper Blake Lively, 36, was also evidently missed as she did not make an appearance. Likewise, her husband, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, 47, did not attend this year's Met Gala; seen in 2022
Annual showstopper Blake Lively, 36, was also evidently missed as she did not make an appearance.
Likewise, her husband, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, 47, did not attend this year's Met Gala.
The Gossip Girl star has been to the Met Gala a total of 10 times, but her 2024 absence marked her second skip in a row.
Last year, she posted a snap showing off her baby bump as she was still pregnant with their fourth child at the time.
Perhaps the couple skipped again this year to stay home with their infant and their three other precious kids.
However, fans were still anticipating Blake's arrival as she was spotted out in New York City last week at Pharrell Williams' launch of his new collaborative collection with Tiffany & Co.
Taylor Swift (and Travis Kelce)
Taylor Swift, 34, devastated her fans by missing the Met Gala for the eighth year in a row. Swift may possibly be preparing for her ongoing Eras Tour as she is next scheduled to perform in Paris on May 9; seen in March
The Cruel Summer hitmaker — who last attended back in 2016 — was speculated to attend with her NFL star beau Travis Kelce this year but did not make an appearance; seen in January
Taylor Swift, 34, devastated her fans by missing the Met Gala for the eighth year in a row.
Many fans took to social media to publicly express their disappointment after the pop star failed to turn up once again.
The Cruel Summer hitmaker — who last attended back in 2016 — was speculated to attend with her NFL star beau Travis Kelce this year but did not make an appearance.
Swift may possibly be preparing for her ongoing Eras Tour as she is next scheduled to perform in Paris on May 9.
Or it has something to do with a certain star — whom she recently 'humiliated' with two scathing diss tracks — that she didn't want to risk a run-in.
Hailey and Justin Bieber
Hailey Bieber, 27, and her musician husband Justin, 30, skipped this year's Met Gala as the singer is going through 'a hard time'; seen in 2021
Hailey Bieber, 27, and her superstar husband Justin Bieber, 30, skipped this year's Met Gala amid hard times.
A source told Entertainment Tonight that the couple did not attend as Justin is focusing on his health amid concerns after he shared a photo of himself crying.
'Justin has been facing some difficulties lately,' the insider revealed. 'He has been having a hard time and hasn't been feeling like his usual self.
'Hailey has been doing her best to be there for Justin, but it is upsetting for her to see him struggle,' the source continued. 'They are doing their best to make things work and be supportive of each other.'
'They are committed to doing whatever it takes to make things better.'
An insider told DailyMail.com shared the truth about his crying photo and said it was not related to anything serious.
'Justin wears his emotions on his sleeve and it is no secret that he is very religious,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
Rihanna, 36, had previously teased to fans that she would be going for a 'simple look for this year's soirée but made a last-minute decision not to attend as she was 'sick with the flu'; seen in 2023
Rihanna, 36, had previously teased to fans that she would be going for a 'simple look for this year's soirée but made a last-minute decision not to attend for a shocking reason.
A source close to the singer revealed to People that she would not be making a fashionably late arrival on Monday but instead would be spending her evening recuperating as she was 'sick with the flu.'
Last year, Rihanna, who was pregnant with her second baby at the time, wore a show-stopping, bridal white gown as she arrived with her boyfriend and baby daddy A$AP Rocky — who skipped the gala this year as well.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish, 22, sat out this year's soirée as she is preparing for the release of her upcoming album, Hit Me Hard and Soft — which drops on May 17. This year is Eilish's first absence since she made her Met Gala debut in 2021; seen in 2022
Billie Eilish, 22, did not attend with her brother Finneas O'Connell this year.
She sat out this year's soirée as she is preparing for the release of her upcoming album, Hit Me Hard and Soft — which drops on May 17.
On Met Gala morning, she announced two album listening party dates in New York City and Los Angeles.
She will also gearing up for an upcoming tour, which she will kick off in September.
This year is Eilish's first absence since she made her Met Gala debut in 2021.
That same year, she also served as a co-chair for the In America: A Lexicon of Fashion Theme.
She wore a peach-colored Oscar de la Renta gown with a Marilyn Monroe-inspired hairdo.
In 2022, she put on a busty display in a fan-favorite Gucci corset dress for the Gilded Glamour bash.
For 2023's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, she went for a gothic glam look with a black lace dress from Chanel.
Gisele Bündchen was another surprising no-show (seen at the Met Gala in 2023)
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen was another surprising no-show.
In 2023, the supermodel, who has graced the Met Gala steps on and off since the early aughts, attended the event solo after a four year absence.
A source told People that she skipped this year to stay home in Florida with her son Benjamin, 14, and daughter Vivian, 11.
'She has a totally full life and she's very busy with her kids,' the insider said. 'Plus, she's been working more than she has in 20 years this past year. She has so many projects; she's been working all the time. She's been working tirelessly this past week to help her home state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which is suffering from the most devastating flood it's ever had. She has family there and she's been consumed with worry.'
The gala also came one day after her ex-husband Tom Brady endured endless jokes about the end of their 13-year marriage during his Netflix roast on Sunday.
A separate source told the outlet that the Brazilian beauty is 'deeply disappointed by the disrespectful portrayal of her family on Sunday evening’s roast show.'
Jeremy Allen White
Although his girlfriend was spotted in attendance, Jeremy Allen White, 33, opted out of making his Met Gala debut this year; seen in April
Although his girlfriend was spotted in attendance, Jeremy Allen White, 33, opted out of making his Met Gala debut this year.
Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalia, 31, looked stunning as she went for a funeral-chic gown with a black lace veil for this year's Met Gala.
Although he did not attend, The Bear actor's Emmy-winning co-star Ayo Edebiri — who attended her inaugural Met Gala with this year's bash — missed him and called him 'the best' in an interview with E! News on the red carpet.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway, 41, was surprisingly missing from the soiree even though she gave advice to her The Idea of You co-star Nicholas Galitzine, 29, for his inaugural Met Gala; seen in 2023
Anne Hathaway, 41, was surprisingly missing from the soiree even though she gave advice to her The Idea of You co-star Nicholas Galitzine, 29, for his inaugural Met Gala.
On the red carpet, Galitzine told Entertainment Tonight that he had just spoken to Hathaway earlier in the day but did not reveal the reason for her absence.
'It's my first Met, so I'm excited to be here,' he said. 'She gave me a pep talk this morning.'
As for her words of wisdom, he said the actress — who has attended a total of seven Met Galas including last year's — told him to 'enjoy it.'
Beyoncé
With this year's absence, Beyoncé, 42, skipped her eighth Met Gala in a row. Fans were hoping she would attend in her Cowboy Carter era — which would have marked her first appearance since 2016's Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology theme; seen in 2016
With this year's absence, Beyoncé skipped her eighth Met Gala in a row.
Fans were hoping she would attend in her Cowboy Carter era — which would have marked her first appearance since 2016's Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology theme.
The superstar and her husband Jay-Z's most fan-memorable Met Gala might be the infamous afterparty elevator fight involving Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles.
In May 2014, security footage opened the closed doors and went viral.
Harry Styles, 30, skipped this year and did not join his girlfriend Taylor Russell, 29, for her first-ever Met Gala. He was overseas and unable to join her as he was pictured in London's Primrose Hill the day before; seen in 2019
Harry Styles
Harry Styles, 30, skipped this year and did not join his girlfriend Taylor Russell, 29, for her first-ever Met Gala.
Even without the singer by her side, the actress was a sight to behold in a wood-painted structure top and dramatic ivory skirt.
He was overseas and unable to join her as he was pictured in London's Primrose Hill the day before.
Having skipped the past four Met Galas, he last attended the annual bash in 2019 for the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme.
That year, he wore a semi-sheer Gucci top with black pants as he led the fan-favorite menswear looks for that evening.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry, 39, clarified she skipped the Met Gala on Monday evening as she called out an AI-generated photo of her on the red carpet even though she was not in attendance; seen in AI-created snap
Katy Perry, 39, clarified she skipped the Met Gala on Monday evening as she called out an AI-generated photo of her on the red carpet even though she was not in attendance.
This year, the pop star did not attend with her partner Orlando Bloom, 47.
After posting the manufactured image, which falsely depicted her at this year's soiree, she wrote in her caption and explained that she 'couldn't make it to the MET, had to work.'