Why Rihanna, Jared Leto, Ben Affleck & More Stars Skipped the Met Gala
Originally appeared on E! Online
Fans can only imagine what wild prop Jared Leto would have brought to the 2024 Met Gala.
The Dallas Buyers Club actor—who has brought his own severed head and rocked a giant cat costume at Met Galas past—was noticeably absent from the May 6 event, as were stars like Taylor Swift and Rihanna.
So, why did Leto miss out on the "Garden of Time"-themed bash? As he told E! News in April, he's "back on the road" touring with his rock band 30 Seconds to Mars. "It's been five years," shared the Oscar winner, who is prepping for his May 9 show in Krakow, Poland, as part of the Seasons World Tour.
But Leto wasn't the only celeb who was missing from steps of the Met. Also MIA from the party, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was Billy Porter, who told E! News in April, "I can't do everything. Daddy's tired."
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The Pose star has been staying out of the spotlight as he continues to mourn the death of his mom Cloerinda Jean Johnson Porter-Ford in February. "I have to take care of myself so I'm doing that," Billy added, "and that means not going to the party sometimes."
As for Rihanna, she was planning to attend but sadly came down with the flu, her rep confirmed to E! News.
Taylor, meanwhile, appears to have been busy on her European tours, with the "Cruel Summer" singer set to light up the stage in Paris during her Eras Tour on May 9. Katy Perry, too, said she "had to work" on May 6 and couldn't attend—despite all those AI photos of her going viral.
But what the no-shows lacked, the 2024 Met Gala hosts brought in spades, with Bad Bunny, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Lopez bringing the house down with stellar ensembles. Still, J.Lo's husband Ben Affleck was not by her side, with his rep telling TMZ he's in Los Angeles filming The Accountant 2.
Read on to see all the stars who did turn up at the glitzy event and made the best dressed list:
Zendaya
In a 1996 Givenchy gown and wearing an Alexander McQueen hat circa 2007. Styled by Law Roach.
Lana Del Rey
In custom Alexander McQueen. Styled by Molly Dickson.
Elle Fanning
In Balmain and Cartier jewelry. Styled by Samantha McMillen.
Gigi Hadid
In Thom Browne.
Taylor Russell
Karlie Kloss
In custom Swarovski.
Jennifer Lopez
In custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture. Styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn.
Emma Chamberlain
In custom Jean Paul Gaultier. Styled by Jared Ellner.
Kylie Jenner
In custom Oscar de la Renta.
Zendaya
In Maison Margiela Couture. Styled by Law Roach. Hair by Ursula Stephen.
Greta Lee
In Loewe. Styled by Danielle Goldberg.
Bad Bunny
In custom Maison Margiela.
Demi Moore
In custom Harris Reed.
Sydney Sweeney
In custom Miu Miu. Styled by Molly Dickson.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph
In custom GAP by Zac Posen. Styled by Wayman + Micah.
Kendall Jenner
In archival Givenchy.
Sabrina Carpenter
Cardi B
Tyla
In Balmain.
Jeremy Pope
Venus Williams
Rebecca Ferguson
In Thom Browne.
Coleman Domingo
In Willy Chavarria. Styled by Wayman + Micah.
Queen Latifah
In Thom Browne.
Don't miss E!'s Live From E!: 2024 Met Gala red carpet Monday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m. for every must-see moment from fashion's biggest night. And tune in to E! News Tuesday, May 7, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every jaw-dropping look and all the behind-the-scenes moments.
