Met Gala 2026: From Meryl Streep to Jennifer Aniston: All the stars who have never attended the Met Gala (even if they scored an invite!)

The Met Gala is one of the biggest, and of course most fashionable, nights on the celebrity calendar.

Everyone from Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman Rihanna to Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker have attended the coveted event.

But there are stars who have actually never attended – and some big names, too – despite some of them landing an exclusive invite. 

From Meryl Streep to Jennifer Aniston, here are the famous faces we’ve never seen at the Met Gala.

Meryl Streep

The Oscar winner has politely declined to attend the event over the years, despite receiving invitations.

It’s an interesting move given the Met Gala list is curated by fashion chief Anna Wintour, who has been chair of the Met Gala since 1995.

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It’s long been rumoured Streep’s character Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada is based on Vogue’s Wintour.

The actress, 76, also has a strong fashion game, but it seems she has her reasons for declining to attend fashion’s biggest night.

“Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended,” her representative has said.

“While she appreciates Vogue, Anna, and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.”

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is another star who has yet to attend the Met Gala, despite being spotted at various Hollywood events over the years.

While no stranger to the red carpet, the Friends star has opened up about her decision to avoid the event.

She said she was more of a “‘jeans and flip-flops and tank top’ kind of girl” when speaking to Glamour.

“Yes, I have [been invited], but I don’t go. It overwhelms me. It’s the getting ready, the putting on the dress,” she said.

“I love dressing up too, but for me it’s a mental game of … ‘Let’s get dressed up, put on a fancy dress, makeup, get your hair all ‘purdy’ and go sit in a big room with your peers.’

“[And yes,] everyone’s there to celebrate each other and have some fun, but I get nervous.”

Angelina Jolie

Don’t count on seeing Hollywood megastar Angelina Jolie at the Met Gala.

The actress, 50, has never attended the event, and we’re not sure if that will change anytime soon.

Brad Pitt

Likewise, Jolie’s ex-husband Brad Pitt hasn’t graced the red carpet on the famous Met Gala steps either.

Fespite being one of Hollywood’s most bankable and handsome stars, we’ve never seen him among the event’s famous attendees.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Another red carpet fixture and Hollywood heavyweight, Leonardo DiCaprio has in fact attended the Met Gala – but you’d be forgiven for thinking he hadn’t.

The Titantic star, who was out and about during the 2026 awards season, attended last year’s gala.

But he avoided the red carpet and opted to meet model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti inside.

Dolly Parton

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American country music star and icon Dolly Parton has never been to the Met Gala.

Despite some of the biggest names having attended in the past, Parton has never made an appearance, much to the dismay of her fans.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is another big name we’ve never seen at the Met Gala – despite the music megatstar having worn some incredible outfits worthy of the gala during her time in showbusiness.

No official reason has been given.

Britney Spears

Pop princess Britney Spears has never been to the Met Gala – and once chose to say in the comfort of her own home than attend.

”I was gonna go to Met Gala but instead I got in the tub with my dog and put pjs on 🐶😂 !!!” she once said, explaining her absence that year.

“I hate flying 🤷🏼‍♀️🌹🌹 !!!” she added, with Spears being based in California and the event taking place in New York.

Adele

Adele has never been to the Met Gala, with some speculating she’s had scheduling conflicts and events like her Las Vegas residency that stopped her from going.

Despite some stars never having attended, the Met Gala is inevitably one of the biggest celebrity events of the year.

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