Why Jennifer Garner Hasn’t Gone to the Met Gala Since 2007

Jennifer—who shares kids Violet, 19, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13, with ex Ben Affleck—isn't the only celebrity to opt out of the event. In fact, Zayn Malik—who only attended the 2016 gala—concurred that he isn't keen to return.

Although he didn’t go as far as knocking it, the former One Direction member told GQ in 2018, “I'd rather be sitting at my house, doing something productive, than dressing up in really expensive clothes and being photographed on a red carpet.”

Meanwhile, other stars have attempted to rectify their Met Gala blunders. 

Gwyneth Paltrow, for one, returned to the event in 2017, just four years after she admitted to USA Today that her past experience was “so un-fun,” “boiling” and “too crowded.” She emphasized, “I did not enjoy it at all.”

Evidently, her 2017 experience must have been much better, as she returned again in 2019. 

Although there are some stars who choose to politely decline their invites, there are also, of course, the stars who have been banned from the party altogether. Tim Gunn infamously admitted to E! News’ Fashion Police that he was a part of that unlucky camp for offending the reigning Vogue editor host.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a very matter-of-fact story,” the Project Runway host explained on a 2016 episode of the show. “I was asked ‘What is the most unforgettable thing I’ve seen in fashion?’ I said ‘It’s easy, it was watching Anna Wintour be carried down five flights of stairs by two bodyguards—two big hulking men—from a fashion show.’ Well, all hell broke loose.”

Indeed, Gunn has never been seen on the Met steps during the first Monday in May. As he put of his relationship with Anna, “We’ve had an open war ever since.”

Try or not, keep reading for stars who have never attended Vogue’s costume gala…