A-listers shun the Met Gala as Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus lead the stars

It is typically a night for pushing fashion boundaries as stars step out in their most cutting edge looks for the Met Gala – however, 2025 was a lacklustre year which failed to deliver the star power and glamour of past events.

While the showstopping looks of yesteryear failed to appear, so did some of the invite-only soiree’s A-list fixtures, including Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

In years prior, celebrities have taken the theme and come up with out of the box results, and this year’s dress code – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style – presented an opportunity for ‘boundary-pushing’ looks.

But instead the the red carpet was besieged by celebrities in drab outfits, as most stars played it safe and blended into the sea of grey and black ensembles – bar a select few who still managed to pull out all of the stops on fashion’s biggest night.

Zendaya, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus and Gigi Hadid all won style points for their impeccable outfits, as they brought some much needed glamour to the ‘meh’ event.

Other A-listers who caught the eye with their dramatic looks included Diana Ross, cigar-smoking Madonna and Nicole Kidman in her backless number. 

American actress Zendaya, 28, made a statement in a white suit and hat combination as she posed up a storm on the red carpet wearing custom Louis Vuitton.

Zendaya chose flared white trousers with a tailored button up and blazer, adding a large hat. The Euphoria star pulled her hair back, with her hat styled low over hair. 

After a slight red carpet mishap, Kim Kardashian, 44, wowed in a Chrome Hearts black snakeskin corset with matching skintight skirt, flashing her ample cleavage.

Kim’s form-fitting cowgirl chic look also put her pert derriere on display and the star paired the look with a matching low-slung hat. 

The skirt had a pearl accent along one hip and she also added a number of diamond necklaces for even more sparkle. 

Miley Cyrus, 32, also followed a black theme as she flashed her abs in custom Alaïa, rocking a ball skirt with a textured long-sleeve black crop top.

She wore her hair slicked back off her face and opted for subtle make-up, while completing the look with a gold choker and earrings. 

While ‘not following the theme’ is typically a major faux pas, Gigi‘s slinky gold Miu Miu gown was a welcome reprieve among a sea of dreary dresses and suits.

The model, 30, looked incredible as she glittered in a custom gold halter dress, complete with ruching along her tiny waist.

Gigi’s striking metallic look was paired with her old Hollywood curls. The model added mauve hued lipstick to her lovely look.

Rihanna, 37, used to event to confirm her pregnancy as she showcased her growing baby bump in pinstripe skirt with a clingy gray top, tie and cropped blazer.

The singer revealed her third pregnancy just hours before the Met Gala; she was seen rocking a clingy grey top and low-slung skirt that showcased her pregnant belly while stepping out at the Carlyle Hotel before the event.

Rihanna is expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, who are already parents to sons RZA, who turns three next week, and Riot Rose, 21 months.

The annual event’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, inspired by Monica Miller’s work, which includes her book Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

The 2025 gala theme focuses on menswear, 22 years after the Men In Skirts theme – which was the first gala to focus only on menswear, however many failed to follow the brief and their outfits left much to be desired.

Even bombshells like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber failed to stand-out as they arrived on the museum’s iconic staircase in forgettable looks.

Fans compared the 2025 event to a ‘funeral’ as they flocked to social media to voice their disappointment — with some even speculating that the Met Gala is ‘dead.’

‘Maybe it’s the theme, I don’t know but so far the outfits at the Met Gala have been so dull, boring & just underwhelming #Met Gala,’ one fan tweeted out on X. 

Another declared that the 2025 event was the ‘most boring #MetGala ever.’

Fans were exhausted seeing the same ‘boring suits’ worn by likes of Hollywood hunks Jeremy Allen White and Callum Turner on the red carpet.

Some wondered if celebrities were ‘misunderstanding’ the year’s theme — focused on black dandyism — or if it accidentally encouraged ‘boring’ looks.

While the night’s ‘boring’ outfits dominated the conversation on social media, many Met Gala devotees couldn’t help but remark on the lack of star power.

Many were left disappointed as they wasted time waiting for Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Blake Lively to ‘show up.’

Taylor skipped the Met Gala despite both her and her NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce being invited by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

The pop star’s schedule is seemingly wide open after wrapping her billion-dollar Eras Tour late last year while Kelce is enjoying NFL off-season.

However, a source told TMZ on Monday that the couple chose to opt out of the 2025 event due to ‘their schedules.’

Both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry — who have become fan-favorite Met Gala attendees with their fierce looks — are currently on their respective world tours.

Blake Lively’s absence from the event is somewhat expected as she and her husband Ryan Reynolds are currently in the midst of a headline-making legal war with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni.

Elsewhere on the carpet, Kylie Jenner wore a sheer Ferragamo corset with a bralette and low-slung skirt. She took a silky brown scarf off to reveal her busty cleavage.

Kylie, who is dating Timothee Chalamet, was without her actor boyfriend who did not attend the event and instead posed for a selfie with pals. 

Her sister Kendall Jenner wore a low-cut blazer with a flared hem, paired with a matching mermaid-style skirt. 

Kendall opted to add extensions in – since her hair is currently ear-length after she chopped off her locks in November. 

The model struck a pose with her best friend Hailey Bieber before they both hit the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hailey, who wore a black blazer dress with tights and platform heels, paired the sleek look with a diamond pendant necklace and earrings.

Lana del Rey looked like a classic movie star in her black and chocolate brown look, complete with a large bow on one shoulder.

Lana’s look had a feathered accent along the back of her blouse and she wore her hair back in waves with minimal makeup, highlighting her stunning natural looks.   

Nicole Kidman wore a strapless – and backless – black gown with two bow details along her waist and hips, adding black gloves and diamonds bracelets and rings.

Megan Thee Stallion wore a busty silver gown which showed off her tiny waist in the fitted frock, paired with a furry white coat.

Keke Palmer wore a white gown with black trousers beneath; the dress featured pockets.

The actress’ frock had a lapel neckline with pearl-like detailing along the center of the skirt and along her neckline.

Sydney Sweeney donned a figure-hugging sparkling black dress, featuring a large cut-out detail over her chest.

The busty blonde’s frock had a statement silver brooch along the neckline and textured short sleeves.

The Euphoria actress wore her golden locks in an updo with several strands styled over her forehead. 

Teyana Taylor made a dramatic arrival in a burgundy and black suit and cape, complete with a feathered hat.

Sabrina Carpenter went pants-less in a chocolate colored bodysuit with a fitted cropped jacket and a train.

Madonna kept it simple in a silky pearl hued suit with a skintight white blouse and bow tie; she arrived with her toy boy lover Akeem Morris, who is 37 years younger than her.

The icon, 66, met Akeem, 28, when he was on her August 2022 Paper magazine cover shoot with her. 

Cynthia Erivo flashed her legs in a open ball skirt, paired with an elaborate top. 

Nicki Minaj chose a black pinstripe look while Quinta Brunson and Tyla opted for a white version.

Halle Berry, who arrived with her handsome boyfriend Van Hunt, looked absolutely incredible in a see-through black paneled gown – flashing her toned form beneath.

Lisa went for a racy ensemble, rocking cheeky underwear with a matching blazer and tights. 

Dua Lipa chose a sheer black gown with a feathered skirt; she added sheer sparkly sleeves. 

Anne Hathaway paired a classic white shirt with a black and white mesh maxi skirt. 

Sadie Sink arrived in a dramatic black lace look, with her signature rock locks pulled back into a chic updo.

Zoe Saldana also rocked short hair, while rocking a black and white corset number. 

Meanwhile Mindy Kaling donned a red, black and white frock and Ciara chose a black and silver racy cut-out look. 

Living legend Diana Ross turned heads in sequin gown with a fuzzy jacket that featured a long train; she wore a matching hat.

Rosalia, Taraji P. Henson and Mary J. Blige opted for for white looks, with Mary choose trousers and a top with duster coat.

Kerry Washington flashed major cleavage in her plunging blazer-inspired top and sheer ball skirt; she arrived with her husband Nnamdi Asomugha. 

Laura Harrier looked immaculate in her Zac Posen designed Gap look, featuring wide leg pants and a tailored vest. 

Pamela Anderson debuted a striking haircut as she posed on the red carpet with her son Brandon Thomas Lee. 

Lauryn Hill and Tessa Thompson wore yellow looks while Liu Wen chose a velvet burnt orange two-piece suit. 

Cardi B, Tems and Natasha Poonawalla opted for very elaborate looks that channeled Renaissance vibes. 

Gayle King, Andra Day and Tracee Ellis Ross wore bold pink and purple fits. 

Chappell Roan wore a fuchsia pantsuit while Natasha Lyonne looked ethereal in lavender and Rachel Brosnahan wore a deep purple strapless number. 

Shakira wore a Barbie pink dress with sheer panels along the sides of the voluminous skirt; Adut Akech looked incredible in pink and silver vest dress with a feathered ombre dress. 

Janelle Monae chose a very structured suit that later revealed a more tailored look beneath. 

Gabby Thomas wowed in a red cropped vest with striking sleeves, paired with a bead accented mermaid skirt. 

The annual invite-only event has a theme each year, with this year’s theme as ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ inspired by Monica Miller’s work, which includes her book Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.

The 2025 gala theme focuses on menswear, 22 years after the ‘Men In Skirts’ theme – which was the first gala to focus only on menswear. 

Monica is the chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, as well as a professor at the institute. 

According to Monica, Black dandyism is ‘a strategy and a tool to rethink identity, to reimagine the self in a different context. To really push a boundary – especially during the time of enslavement, to really push a boundary on who and what counts as human, even,’ via Vogue.

The event was co-chaired by Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour, with Lebron James as the honorary chair. 

Also missing from this year’s action were Met Gala favorites like Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and Bella Hadid.

The inspiration for this year’s theme, Monica Miller, is the chair of Africana Studies at Barnard College, as well as a professor at the institute.

According to Monica, black dandyism is ‘a strategy and a tool to rethink identity, to reimagine the self in a different context. To really push a boundary – especially during the time of enslavement, to really push a boundary on who and what counts as human, even,’ via Vogue.

The accompanying exhibit will showcase everything from garments to paintings, photographs, and video, all spotlighting the fashion of Black men.

The guest list for the annual soiree was leaked just hours before kick off.