Why Beyoncé Skipped the 2025 Met Gala

Beyoncé's Met Gala Looks Through the Years / Getty images

By Kieran Vale

staff writer

May 6, 2025

The first Monday in May, also known as fashion’s biggest night has come and gone, and while the red carpet dazzled as always, fans couldn’t help but notice one major absence: Beyoncé.

Once a staple of the Met Gala, Beyoncé hasn’t attended since 2016, despite delivering some of the most unforgettable looks in the event’s history. Her Met debut dates back to 2008, and she returned regularly from 2011 through 2016, each time raising the bar with bold, unforgettable fashion, most notably in her series of Givenchy gowns that became a signature over the years. Her 2016 look, a peach-colored latex Givenchy creation adorned with floral appliqués, perfectly captured that year’s “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme.

So, why did Queen Bey sit out 2025?

The answer is simple: tour commitments. Beyoncé is currently on the road for her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter Tour, which launched in Los Angeles in late April. She performed at SoFi Stadium on May 4, just one day before the Met Gala, and was scheduled to hit the same venue again on May 7. With another show lined up in Chicago on May 15, her packed schedule left little room for a roundtrip dash to New York especially given the demands of delivering flawless back-to-back performances.

Sure, in theory, she could have jetted cross-country for a brief Met appearance, but even for Beyoncé, that’s a tall order. Balancing the intense physical demands of live shows with an elaborate red carpet event like the Met Gala, complete with fittings, glam, and media is a challenge few could pull off.

Still, fans were hopeful. Much like the speculation around Taylor Swift’s possible return (which also didn’t happen), many were holding out for a surprise appearance from Bey. Unfortunately, this year wasn’t it.

Even so, Beyoncé’s Met Gala legacy remains untouched, every appearance etched in fashion history. Whether she returns next year or not, she continues to reign supreme in both music and style, proving once again: absence makes the heart grow even fonder.