This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.Bella Hadid Wasn’t the Only Star Who Boycotted the Met Gala

Rosa Sanchez, Sophie WangTue, May 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM UTC

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Why Bella Hadid Boycotted the 2026 Met GalaANGELA WEISS - Getty Images

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It was 2022, the first Monday in May, when Bella Hadid last graced the carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for fashion’s biggest night. For the next four years, she would go on to move out to Texas, scale back on her modeling gigs, and focus on the launch of her Orebella perfume label and on her equestrian skills. And while people were hoping for a return from the belle of the ball last night, she steered clear of the 2026 Met Gala—for a cause.

John Shearer - Getty Images

While every year there is a handful of notable absences, it’s rare that we get a concrete explanation as to why each celebrity missed the event. It was surprising, therefore, to see Hadid seemingly confirm her reason for skipping this year by liking a very telling Instagram video.

“You cannot wear the ICE out pin to the Jeff Bezos-backed MET Gala,” creator Meredith Lynch stated in her video, criticizing celebrities who attended the event, which was backed by honorary co-chairs Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. “I know that the funds from the Met Gala go to a good cause and that the Met is a wonderful institution in New York City, but it is wild to me that this event is sponsored by Jeff Bezos, who has backed Trump, who has slashed arts funding. If you’re a publicist and at the last moment you’re thinking, ‘I don’t know if my client should go to the Met Gala,’ let this be your video.”

Jamie McCarthy - Getty Images

Hadid was not alone. Actor, producer, and activist Taraji P. Henson liked the same video, leaving a comment that read, “I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”

Cara Delevingne also liked the video, although she did end up attending the event.

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Additional stars who sat the night out included Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Zendaya, and Ariana Grande—though none of them confirmed their reasonings publicly.

WWD - Getty Images

With the exception of the Met Gala, however, Hadid has been stepping back into the spotlight as of late.

In January, she made the most striking appearance in red at the world premiere of Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty, which she stars in. In a starry red carpet, she absolutely stole the show in her silky halter gown in bright watermelon red, pulled straight from the Schiaparelli Fall 2025 Couture collection.

And in March, the supermodel showed up to the Oscars after-party hosted by Vanity Fair while in a silky, off-white top-and-skirt set from Prada that nodded to ’90s minimalism of style muses like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

No matter the look she choses, Hadid will always command our attention on a red carpet. But there is nothing more beautiful than standing up for a good cause.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”