LeBron James to Blake Lively, celebrities who skipped 2025 Met Gala - Reason explained

LeBron James, who was the honorary chair of the 2025 Met Gala, was notably absent from fashion’s biggest night on May 5, 2025. It would have been a treat to watch the Los Angeles Lakers star on the red carpet, the theme of which was ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ a tribute to black aesthetics and dandyism.

Apart from co-chair LeBron James, other prominent celebrities, who are often seen on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, were notably absent. Among those not in attendance at the 2025 were pop star Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and actor/singer Selena Gomez and her fiancé Benny Blanco.

---

Why did LeBron James skip the Met Gala?

Despite being named as the Gala’s honorary chair in the Metropolitan Museum’s press release on February 4, fans were unable to watch LeBron James walk the red carpet. On May 5, merely hours before his scheduled appearance on the museum’s steps, LeBron James took to X to reveal that he won’t be attending the 2025 Met Gala, writing,

“Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the castle down as she always has done!”

The injury in question was sustained during the fourth quarter of the fifth game of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as per US Weekly. On March 30, LeBron James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, according to the news outlet.

As LeBron James shared in his post on X, his wife, Savannah James held the fort down at the Met Gala red carpet in his absence.

---

Why were Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds absent from the 2025 Met Gala?

Blake Lively, who has been a regular face at the Met Gala over the years, skipped this year’s event on May 5. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who has often accompanied the Gossip Girl actress on the steps of the Met, was also absent from this year’s Gala.

While media and fan speculation around the couple’s decision to skip the 2025 Met Gala tried to link their absence to their ongoing legal troubles with Lively’s former co-star Justin Baldoni, a source revealed to US Weekly that its not out of the ordinary for Lively to skip the Met Gala. As per US Weekly, the source references the multiple times that Lively has skipped the Gala, and said,

“She’s not a Kardashian that goes every year.”

---

The reason behind Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce skipping the Met Gala

Taylor Swift, who was 2016 Met Gala’s co-chair, did not attend this year’s event despite being invited alongside her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce.

According to TMZ, Swift and Kelce were not in attendance at the mega event due to their demanding work schedules.

For fans of Swift, who thrive on seeing the pop star out and about with Kelce, whether it be on date nights or at the latter’s football games, watching the couple on the steps of the Metropolitan museum would have been a welcome delight, however, they will have to wait for next year’s event.

---

Why did Sarah Jessica Parker skip the Met Gala?

Sarah Jessica Parker, who is known for her stylish ensembles, is a frequent fixture at the Met Gala. This year, however, the actress’ work commitments prevented her from attending the event.

As per E! News, Parker spoke to Entertainment Tonight and said,

“I have to work. But there’s going to be so much to see, and I look forward to seeing what everybody does, and how they interpret the theme and the homework they did for the assignment.”

---

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco also skipped this year’s Met Gala

Engaged couple Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, who recently released their first collaborative album, I Said I Love You First, decided to give this year’s Met Gala a miss.

While the couple have not shared why they didn’t attend the 2025 Gala, Harper’s Bazaar noted that Gomez did share images of the couple hanging out casually with their friends and enjoying their down time. According to Gomez’s Instagram post, the couple could be seen cooking alongside their friends.