Celebrities Who Spoke Out About Their Met Gala Experience and Their Decision to Return

Some celebrities have different views on the Met Gala, with some being more vocal about their feelings than others. Gwyneth Paltrow was among the first to openly share that she didn't enjoy her experience at the event, which raises funds for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

Gwyneth Paltrow was candid about her experience attending the Met Gala in 2013, describing it as less than enjoyable. She expressed how she had high expectations of glamour and excitement, only to find it hot, crowded, and chaotic once she arrived. Despite her initial negative experience, Paltrow ended up returning to the Met Gala in 2017 and 2019, even after vowing never to attend again.

Scroll through for stars who have admitted they don’t want to be invited back:

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

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9 Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala — and Whether They Attended Again

Some celebrities have different thoughts about the Met Gala, with some being more vocal about their experiences than others.

Gwyneth Paltrow was among the first celebrities to openly share that she didn't enjoy her time at the event, which raises funds for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

Paltrow shared her honest opinion about the Met Gala in 2013, stating that her experience was not enjoyable. She described the event as hot, crowded, and not glamorous as expected. Despite her negative experience, Paltrow attended the Met Gala again in 2017 and 2019, even though she initially declared that she would never go back.

Scroll through for stars who have admitted they don’t want to be invited back:

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Loved the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

Demi Lovato

Two years after attending the fundraiser in 2016, the singer shared with Billboard that she had a negative experience. According to Lovato, there was a particular celebrity who was unfriendly and difficult to be around. She described the atmosphere as very exclusive and cliquey. Lovato, who has been open about her struggles with sobriety, admitted that she felt so uncomfortable at the event that she had the urge to drink.

Despite being candid about her negative time at the event, Lovato ultimately attended the Met Gala again in 2024.  

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Tina Fey

During an interview with David Letterman in 2015, the comedian talked about attending the Met Gala in 2010. She jokingly called it a "jerk parade" and mentioned that if she had a million arms, she would want to punch all the people there. Fey also mentioned that she has no plans of attending the event again in the future.

She added, "It seems like every annoying person from all different backgrounds is there, dressed in ridiculous outfits. You have to climb up these massive steps... and I convinced my husband [Jeff Richmond] to come with me, which he's still mad about."

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: Hahn Lionel/ABACA/Shutterstock

Gwyneth Paltrow

After declaring she would “never” go again, the actress returned to the Met in 2017 and 2019.

Tk Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik, the former One Direction singer, attended the Met Gala in 2016 with his then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid. However, two years later, he revealed that he was not initially keen on going to the event.

In an interview with GQ in 2018, Malik shared that he was not familiar with the Met Gala and it was not something he was interested in. Despite this, his former stylist convinced him to attend, emphasizing the importance of the event. Malik acknowledged that even with a strong mindset, external influences can sometimes lead you to make decisions that may not align with your preferences.

Reflecting on his experience, Malik expressed that attending the Met Gala is not something he would choose to do again. He stated that he would prefer to spend his time at home engaging in productive activities rather than dressing up in expensive clothes and posing for photos on the red carpet.

Malik concluded that walking the red carpet at the fundraiser is “self-indulgent” and “not me."

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/BEI/Shutterstock

SZA

Sza, the singer from "Kill Bill," felt so overwhelmed at a 2022 event that she decided to sneak out the back and leave early.

In May 2022, Sza shared her experience as part of Finish Line Women's Community Voices series. She mentioned hating her outfit and how it affected her mental health. She expressed feeling the pressure to show up and do her job while lacking confidence and comfort. Sza also talked about the unhealthy comparison she felt with others, like Lizzo, who can have a good time regardless of the situation. Due to her anxiety, Sza left the event as soon as Lenny Kravitz started performing. She was unable to walk down the main steps to exit and had to take a cab instead.

Sza shared that she walked three city blocks without shoes on. She said, "I tiptoed a few blocks and then took a yellow cab back to my hotel because I felt overwhelmed. I was too anxious to wait in front of the crowd for my cab and take pictures. I didn't want to do that. So, I ended up looking like a dirty Cinderella running away without my shoes."

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: John Nacion/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Quannah Chasinghorse

The model took the iconic steps in 2021, but the experience left them feeling unimpressed.

"It was a strange atmosphere to be in," Chasinghorse shared with Insider in November 2021. "I stood there, looking around at everyone, and felt a deep sense of isolation. I felt incredibly lonely... No one recognized me. No one bothered to get to know me. It was clear that everyone was there for themselves."

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Billie Eilish

While noting that the gala is “amazing” and “beautiful,” the 2021 co-chair didn’t enjoy herself.  

Eilish shared her thoughts on fame during an interview on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show in December 2021. She expressed how she realized that famous people are just regular individuals, like "nobodies" or "randos." It struck her how these celebrities are simply classmates, with their own insecurities and doubts. She described the experience as seeing everyone "famous people-ing."

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock

Lena Dunham

The Girls creator, who attended in 2012, 2013 and 2014, claimed she and Amy Schumer had a “crazy countdown to when we could escape” the event in 2016.

Sitting next to Odell Beckham Jr. was an amazing experience. It felt like he glanced at me and concluded that I didn't fit his idea of a woman's shape. He seemed to categorize me as a marshmallow, a child, or a dog. It wasn't meant to be mean, he just appeared confused. This was shared in her Lenny Letter newsletter.

Following this, Lena Dunham went on Twitter to explain that although the football player is talented, stylish, and seems really cool, he wasn't interested in talking to her at a fancy event.

She returned to the Met Gala in 2017 and 2018.

TK Stars Who Admitted They Didn't Love the Met Gala and Whether They'd Attend Again

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/BEI/Shutterstock

Amy Schumer

Schumer expressed to Stern in 2016 that the evening seemed more like a punishment to her.

In 2019, the comedian mentioned her dislike for the event, describing it as people pretending to have conversations and feeling like a farce. She also shared an encounter with Beyoncé at the Met Gala, where the singer asked if it was Schumer's first time attending. Schumer humorously replied, "It's my last."

While she claimed that she “left earlier than I should've been allowed,” she returned to the Met Gala in 2022.

Editor's P/S:

The Met Gala, an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, has garnered mixed reactions from celebrities. Some, like Gwyneth Paltrow, initially found the experience underwhelming due to its crowded and chaotic atmosphere. Despite her initial vow to never attend again, she returned in subsequent years. Others, such as Demi Lovato and Zayn Malik, expressed discomfort and a sense of exclusivity at the event, leading them to decline future invitations.

The article also highlights the varying perspectives of celebrities on the