Celebrities Who Got Banned From The 2025 Met Gala And Why | HO

The Met Gala is fashion’s most exclusive night, a dazzling parade of creativity, celebrity, and spectacle. But behind the glitz and glamour lies a strict door policy, meticulously overseen by Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. Each year, a select group of A-listers receives the coveted invitation, while others find themselves on the outside looking in—sometimes permanently. As the 2025 Met Gala approaches, several well-known stars are notably absent from the guest list, some due to controversy, others for candidly airing their grievances about the event. Here’s a look at the celebrities who have been banned from the 2025 Met Gala, and the stories behind their exclusion.

Rachel Zoe: The Power of Words

Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe was once a fashion industry darling, but rumors have long swirled about her Met Gala status. The speculation began after a 2007 interview with The New York Times, in which Zoe commented, “Anna Wintour is one of my heroes, but they say that I’m more influential… Vogue won’t change a designer’s business, but if an unknown brand is worn by a certain person in a tabloid, it will be the biggest designer within a week.” While the comments were made years ago, they reportedly didn’t sit well with Wintour, who is known for her ironclad control over the fashion world’s most prestigious event. Although Zoe attended the Met Gala in 2012, her name has not appeared on the guest list since, and it’s unlikely she’ll make a return in 2025.

Demi Lovato: A Night to Forget

Demi Lovato’s relationship with the Met Gala has been fraught with discomfort. After attending in 2015, the singer opened up about her negative experience in a 2018 Billboard interview, saying, “I had a terrible experience. This one celebrity was a complete b-word and was miserable to be around. It was very cliquey. I remember being so uncomfortable that I wanted to drink.” Lovato revealed that she left the event early to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, still adorned with millions of dollars worth of diamonds. The star later poked fun at her awkward Met Gala experience on Instagram, which only fueled speculation about her future invitations. While Lovato made a surprise return in 2024, her candid criticism of the event and its attendees means she’s unlikely to be welcomed back in 2025.

Amy Schumer: No Love for Fashion’s Biggest Night

Comedian Amy Schumer has never hidden her disdain for the Met Gala. In a 2016 interview with Howard Stern, Schumer described the event as “people doing an impression of having a conversation,” adding, “We’re dressed up like a bunch of bleeping idiots.” Schumer’s blunt assessment of the night made it clear that she has little interest in returning—and it seems the feeling is mutual. Although she hasn’t been officially banned, her outspoken comments have made her persona non grata at future galas.

Rebecca Minkoff: The Elevator Incident

Fashion designer and reality TV star Rebecca Minkoff believes a simple elevator mishap cost her a place at the Met Gala. On the “Two Teas in a Pod” podcast, Minkoff recounted the moment she got into an elevator with Anna Wintour—an apparent breach of unspoken Met Gala etiquette. “That was the end of my relationship with Anna. You’re not allowed in the elevator with her. I’ve been told that if she gets in the elevator, you can’t get in with her,” she explained. Minkoff has not received an invitation since, and she suspects the elevator faux pas is to blame.

Tina Fey: “Jerk Parade” No More

Beloved comedian Tina Fey attended the Met Gala once and vowed never to return. In a 2015 interview with David Letterman, Fey called the event “such a jerk parade,” describing it as an evening filled with “every jerk from every walk of life… wearing some stupid thing.” Fey’s scathing review made headlines, and she has not been invited back since. Her absence in 2025 is no surprise, as she made it clear she would never go again.

Gwyneth Paltrow: Glamour Isn’t Everything

Oscar-winning actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow is another star who has found herself on the wrong side of the Met Gala’s velvet rope. After the 2013 event, Paltrow told the Kyle and Jackie O show that the Met Gala “basically sucked,” describing it as “very hot and crowded,” and lamenting, “I think we’re all a bit too old to dress up punk.” Her candid remarks didn’t go over well with organizers, and she hasn’t been invited back for 2025.

Lili Reinhart: Calling Out Toxicity

Riverdale star Lili Reinhart attended the Met Gala in 2022, but her outspoken criticism of Kim Kardashian’s rapid weight loss to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress may have sealed her fate. On Instagram, Reinhart condemned the message it sent to young fans, calling it “otherworldly disgusting.” In a subsequent interview, she admitted, “I said a certain something about a certain person in a certain dress,” and doubted she’d ever be invited back. With Anna Wintour’s penchant for loyalty to high-profile stars like Kardashian, Reinhart’s exclusion from the 2025 guest list comes as no surprise.

Tim Gunn: The Unforgettable Story

Fashion guru Tim Gunn has openly discussed his ban from the Met Gala. On “Fashion Police” in 2016, Gunn recounted being asked about the most unforgettable thing he’d ever seen in fashion. His answer? “Watching Anna Wintour being carried down five flights of stairs by two bodyguards.” The story did not amuse Wintour, and Gunn has not been invited back since.

Jameela Jamil: Standing Up for Her Principles

Actress and activist Jameela Jamil has never shied away from controversy. In 2023, she publicly criticized the Met Gala for honoring designer Karl Lagerfeld, highlighting his history of hurtful comments toward women, immigrants, and marginalized communities. On Instagram, Jamil wrote, “This man was indeed supremely talented but used his platform in such a distinctly hateful way mostly towards women… Why is this who we are celebrating?” Her outspoken stance has all but guaranteed she’ll never receive another Met Gala invitation.

Conclusion

The Met Gala remains the crown jewel of the fashion calendar, but as these stories show, not everyone is welcome. Whether due to outspoken criticism, awkward encounters, or simply falling out of favor, these celebrities will be watching the 2025 Met Gala from afar. Love it or hate it, the Met’s exclusivity is part of its mystique—and for some stars, the price of honesty is a permanent ban from the biggest night in fashion.