Rihanna Misses 2024 Met Gala Due to Sudden Flu Diagnosis: Speculations

Rihanna Skips 2024 Met Gala After Coming Down With the Flu

Rihanna Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Rihanna is known for her iconic appearances at the Met Gala, but this year she had to miss out due to a sudden illness.

The 36-year-old singer had intended to attend fashion's biggest event on May 6, but unfortunately, she had to cancel at the last minute because she caught the flu according to sources from People and Entertainment Tonight.

Rihanna gave a sneak peek of her outfit for the upcoming event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She mentioned to Vogue that she will be incorporating her various businesses like Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and Fenty Savage into her look.

Despite her previous bold fashion choices, Rihanna mentioned that this time her outfit will be more on the modest side.

Rihanna Skips 2024 Met Gala After Coming Down With the Flu 2

Rihanna attends The 2023 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

"I've done a lot of crazy things in my life. I've shown off my nipples and even my underwear. But now, as a mom and a more mature woman, these are things I wouldn't do anymore," she shared with Vogue.

At the previous year's ball, Rihanna wowed everyone with her stunning Valentino entrance.

At the Met Gala, Rihanna, a Grammy winner, paid tribute to the theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" in a stunning white gown adorned with roses. As she climbed the iconic Met staircase, the then-pregnant Rihanna proudly displayed her baby bump by removing the outer layer of her outfit, showcasing a sleeveless dress that beautifully accentuated her curves. Completing her look with a striking diamond statement necklace, dramatic oversized lashes in the form of sunglasses, and a bold red lip, Rihanna exuded elegance and style. (Rihanna and her boyfriend ASAP Rocky welcomed their second son, Riot Rose, in August 2023, following the birth of their first son RZA in May 2022.)

In a Vogue interview, Rihanna fondly looked back on her favorite Met Gala ensembles, particularly praising the stunning yellow gold Guo Pei masterpiece she wore to the 2015 event as her top choice.

“Nobody will ever forget that and I will never forget the feeling of discovering that designer based off of the design challenge that Anna [Wintour] gave me,” Rihanna told the publication. 

Editor's P/S:

Rihanna's absence at this year's Met Gala was undoubtedly a disappointment for fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Her bold and captivating fashion choices have consistently made her one of the most anticipated attendees at the event. Despite her illness, Rihanna's commitment to the fashion industry was evident in her plans to incorporate her own businesses into her outfit, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to her brands.

Furthermore, Rihanna's comments regarding her evolving fashion choices as a mother and more mature woman reflect a shift in her priorities. While her past Met Gala appearances have featured daring and revealing ensembles, she now embraces a more modest style that aligns with her current stage of life. Rihanna's journey as a mother has undoubtedly influenced her fashion sensibilities, leading her to favor outfits that are both stylish and appropriate for her new role.