In a 2013 interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Gwyneth Paltrow said the Met Gala “sucked,” citing heat, crowds, and discomfort despite its glamorous image. She vowed never to return but attended again in 2017 and 2019.

Rachel Zoe was reportedly banned from the Met Gala by Anna Wintour after a 2007 New York Times interview in which she claimed she was “more influential” than the Vogue editor-in-chief. While she praised Wintour as a hero, she also said her styling work had greater impact on designers’ success, allegedly leading to a long-standing ban.

Amy Schumer is not officially banned from the Met Gala, but she had previously criticised the event, calling it a “farce” and a “punishment” in 2016. She also said she felt out of place and vowed not to return after that year’s event. However, she later attended again in 2017 and 2022.

Tina Fey is not officially banned from the Met Gala, but she is believed to be on a rumored blacklist after her strong criticism of the event. In a 2015 interview, she said she would never attend again, calling it a “jerk parade” filled with people wearing “stupid” outfits.

Zayn Malik attended the Met Gala in 2016 with then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid, but it appears to have been a one-time appearance. In a 2018 GQ interview, he said he has no interest in returning, adding he would rather stay home doing something productive than dress up for a “self-indulgent” red carpet moment.

During a 2017 appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, when asked who she would never invite again, Wintour named Donald Trump. She has also been a vocal critic of the policies of the Trump administration.

Lili Reinhart, a regular fixture at the Met Gala until 2022, became a controversial figure after publicly criticising Kim Kardashian’s extreme dieting to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s gown. In an interview with W magazine, she said, “I don’t think I’ll be invited back, I said a certain something about a certain person in a certain dress.” 

Tim Gunn is the only other celebrity to confirm a Met Gala ban, which he himself acknowledged rather than it being officially announced. In 2016, he told E! News he was permanently disinvited after recounting an incident involving Anna Wintour being carried down stairs by bodyguards after a fashion show.

Kanye West (Ye) is reportedly banned from the Met Gala following a series of antisemitic remarks and controversial behaviour. His actions, including the “White Lives Matter” controversy, are said to have led to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and the fashion industry distancing themselves from him.

Nicki Minaj is also rumoured to be off the 2026 Met Gala list. Back in February, Naughty But Nice’s Rob Shuter reported that she may have been “shut out” following a series of politically charged remarks. An insider was quoted as saying, “Nicki’s invitations didn’t just slow down, they vanished."