Being invited to the Met Gala is like getting drafted into fashion's version of the "Avengers," only with more sequins and stricter entrance policies. It's the one night a year where fashion, fame, and flair collide in the most dramatic way possible, and you better believe Anna Wintour is watching everyone from behind those signature sunglasses.
While most stars would trade their Louboutins for a seat at the gala, a few celebs have managed to do the unthinkable: get themselves banned. We're talking about being excommunicated from couture.
© Getty ImagesSo who allegedly landed on fashion's most feared denylist, and how did they mess up? Let's dive into the drama.
Demi Lovato
© Sara JayePlease leave it to Demi Lovato to drop truth bombs at a fashion fantasy camp. After attending the 2016 Met Gala, Demi gave a brutally honest review in an interview with Billboard, calling the event "awful" and "cliquey."
Donald Trump
© JIM WATSONDonald Trump actually used to attend the Met Gala regularly back in the day (with a very different kind of red carpet energy). But when Vogue's Wintour was asked during a segment of "The Late Late Show" who she would never invite back, she didn't blink: "Donald Trump."
Zayn Malik
When Zayn Malik strolled into the 2016 Met Gala with Gigi Hadid in tow and a metallic arm suit worthy of a Marvel reboot, he looked like he belonged. But afterward? Not so much.
Zayn later described the gala as "self-indulgent" and "not me," basically saying it was all surface, no substance.
© Pascal Le SegretainWintour didn't publicly respond, but Zayn's absence from every Met Gala since speaks volumes. If you throw shade on the sacred carpet, don't expect a sequel.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Queen of clean living and unfiltered opinions, Gwyneth Paltrow gave the Met Gala a hard pass after 2013, calling it "so un-fun" and "too crowded." She even said she was "never going again." She returned in 2017. And again in 2019.
© Daniele VenturelliWhether Anna gave her a temporary time-out or Gwyneth simply Gooped her way back into good graces, it's clear that while her candid critique didn't get her permanently banned, it definitely didn't score her points.
Met Gala Royalty: Rihanna, Anna Wintour's Eternal Favorite
While some celebrities have found themselves on Anna Wintour's no-fly list, there's one star who not only remains in her good graces but is arguably her favorite guest of all time: Rihanna.
© GettyImagesRihanna's Met Gala history is a masterclass in fashion evolution. From her debut in 2007 wearing a white Georges Chakra gown to her unforgettable 2015 appearance in a yellow Guo Pei cape that became an instant meme, she consistently delivers show-stopping looks.
Her 2018 papal-inspired ensemble by Maison Margiela for the "Heavenly Bodies" theme further cemented her status as a Met Gala icon.
Rihanna's close relationship with Anna Wintour and her consistent ability to capture the essence of each Met Gala theme make her a perennial favorite. While others may find themselves excluded for various reasons, Rihanna's presence is not just welcomed; it's anticipated.
