As the clock ticks closer to the highly-anticipated Met Gala 2025, the fashion world is abuzz with excitement. This year, however, not everyone is invited to walk the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a fact underscored by the presence of a few notable absentees, including none other than the former US President Donald Trump.
The Trump Ban: A No-Show in Style
Donald Trump, despite his once regular appearances alongside Melania Trump, finds himself persona non grata at this esteemed event. As fate would have it, in a statement made during her appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2016, Anna Wintour, the fashion icon and editor-in-chief of Vogue, revealed her steadfast decision to exclude Trump from the gala post his presidency in 2017. His last bow at this fashion fête was in 2012, leaving behind a legacy wrapped in fashion politics.
Zayn Malik’s Disdain for the Glamour Games
Not everyone needs to be banned to stay away. Zayn Malik, former One Direction sensation, made a conscious choice to pass on the sartorial scene. “Now, it’s not something I would go to,” he told GQ, opting for tranquility and productivity over “self-indulgent” fanfare. It appears some stars shine more brightly away from the gala spotlight.
Tina Fey’s Satirical Stance
Popular comedian Tina Fey also finds herself on the outside, having once dubbed the event a “jerk parade.” Her less-than-flattering commentary on the gala atmosphere rendered her presence undesirable, a sentiment she’s unapologetically shared in past interviews. According to Wion, Fey’s comedic candor has cemented her nonattendance.
Lili Reinhart’s Red Carpet Recantation
Actress Lili Reinhart, known for her Riverdale role, perhaps inadvertently tripped her welcome mat through her critiques. After calling out Kim Kardashian’s fashion faux pas, Reinhart resigned to her fate of potential exclusion, musing aloud her future absence from the invite list.
The Gunn Whisper: Tim Gunn’s Telltale Revelation
When fashion expert Tim Gunn disclosed witnessing Anna Wintour carried by bodyguards, he unleashed a veritable fashion feud. His vivid recollection led to an open war of words, ensuring a continued seat outside the gala’s inner circle—a rare arena where fashion critique meets dramatic consequence.
The Elevator Etiquette with Rebecca Minkoff
Lastly, shared whispers and elevator antics involving Rebecca Minkoff suggest subtle societal norms may dictate the invite list more than one might imagine. Her cautious recollection of minor missteps around Wintour perpetuates her uninvited status, extending a 15-year-old anecdote into the present.
In an event meant for lavish costumes and illustrious personalities, it seems some of the world’s celebrities will admire the splendor from afar this year. The Met Gala—you’re either in, or you’re out.