The 2024 Met Gala was held on May 6. Some absent stars had a clear explanation, while other reasons were reported indirectly or remained undisclosed. Katy Perry said she had to work; Taylor Swift’s tour preparations were cited by Entertainment Tonight; and reports about Rihanna’s flu were not confirmed by her representatives.
Why were Taylor Swift and Katy Perry absent?
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour preparation
Entertainment Tonight reported before the gala that Swift would miss it to continue preparing for her Eras Tour. The tour was scheduled to resume in Paris on May 9, three days after the event. This was ET’s reported explanation, not a reason Swift publicly stated in the cited coverage. Entertainment Tonight also reported the tour timing.
Katy Perry: work
Perry offered the most direct explanation among the stars covered here. In an Instagram caption reported by the Associated Press, she wrote, “couldn’t make it to the MET, had to work.” AP said representatives had not immediately provided a separate explanation. The outlet also reported that an AI-generated image led some people, including Perry’s parents, to believe she had attended; the image was not evidence of her presence. Associated Press
What was reported about Rihanna and Blake Lively?
Rihanna: flu reported, not confirmed by her representatives
People reported that Rihanna had the flu, according to the Associated Press and ABC News. AP said Rihanna’s representatives did not immediately confirm the reason, so it should be treated as a reported explanation, not a statement from Rihanna or her team. AP also reported that AI-generated images of Rihanna circulated despite her absence. Associated Press; ABC News
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Blake Lively: exact reason not disclosed
ABC News reported that Lively had not revealed why she missed the event. The outlet mentioned family and promotion for upcoming projects as speculation, not established reasons. Ryan Reynolds was also absent, according to the same report. ABC News
What work or schedule context surrounded other absences?
Billie Eilish: album work was visible, but no stated motive
Teen Vogue reported that on Met Monday, Eilish posted an Instagram Story showing her autographing vinyl copies of her upcoming album Hit Me Hard and Soft, which was due May 17. That activity provides work context for the day; the report does not quote Eilish saying it was why she skipped the gala. Teen Vogue
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Tom Holland: golf injury
Teen Vogue attributed Holland’s absence to a golf injury. The outlet also noted that he showed support for Zendaya on Instagram after the carpet had closed. Teen Vogue
Olivia Rodrigo: tour dates immediately followed
Rodrigo was scheduled to perform consecutive Guts World Tour dates in Glasgow on May 7 and 8, the two days after the gala. Teen Vogue reported the schedule, but did not quote Rodrigo saying it was her reason for missing the event. Teen Vogue
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Which other stars were reported absent?
The Independent’s roundup also listed Bella Hadid, Beyoncé, Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, Salma Hayek, Suki Waterhouse, Olivia Wilde, Florence Pugh, Kate Moss and Margot Robbie, along with several of the stars discussed above. The reviewed coverage did not establish specific reasons for most of these absences, so it would be misleading to assign them one. The Independent
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How certain are the explanations?
The evidence varies by person: Perry gave a first-person explanation; ET attributed Swift’s absence to tour preparation; and People’s explanation for Rihanna was reported but not confirmed by her representatives. Eilish’s album activity and Rodrigo’s tour dates are timing context, while Lively’s proposed reasons remained speculation. A generated image should not be treated as proof that a celebrity attended: AP reported false AI images involving Perry and Rihanna. Associated Press
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