Met Gala 2025: Who's expected to attend, the no-shows and debutants- The 'apparent' GUEST LIST

The countdown has officially begun for fashion’s most anticipated night-Met Gala 2025. Set to take place on May 5 at its iconic home, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the event promises another unforgettable blend of glamour, culture, and high fashion. With the buzz already reaching a fever pitch, fans across the globe including here in India are eagerly waiting to see which stars will turn heads on the red carpet and how the fashion world will interpret this year’s powerful theme.

For those unfamiliar, the Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Met. It marks the grand opening of the museum’s annual fashion exhibition and is co-hosted by Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, along with a selected list of celebrity co-chairs each year. The event is known not just for its red carpet fashion moments but also for celebrating fashion as an art form. The guest list is exclusive, the themes are bold, and the outfits? Always unforgettable.

The 2025 Theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”

This year, the Met Gala is going deep into the world of cultural elegance with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s groundbreaking book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the exhibit and red carpet will shine a spotlight on Black dandyism, a movement rooted in polished, refined fashion originally seen in the 18th century.

The theme celebrates how Black men have historically used fashion as a tool of self-expression, sophistication, and cultural identity. Expect to see lots of sharp tailoring, velvet suits, silk textures, and looks that fuse tradition with bold individuality.

The 2025 Met Gala will be co-chaired by an impressive group of icons from music, sports, and film. This year’s hosts include Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and LeBron James. Each of them has a unique connection to both fashion and the celebration of Black culture, making this lineup a fitting tribute to the theme.

Who’s Expected to Attend?

While the official guest list is kept under tight wraps until the night of the event, several big names have already been rumoured to attend. Music legends Shakira, Lizzo, and Mary J. Blige are all reportedly set to bring their glamour to the red carpet.

From the fashion world, regulars like Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham, and Amelia Gray are expected to return. The host committee also includes a diverse and stylish mix, Tyla, Doechii, André 3000, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Simone Biles, and her husband Jonathan Owens.

Sports is making its presence known too, with rising basketball star Paige Bueckers said to be attending. The blend of music, fashion, literature, and sports is what gives the Met Gala its signature cultural mix.

The No-Shows

Every Met Gala comes with its fair share of surprising absences, and 2025 is no different. Actress Rachel Zegler, who was last seen in the film 'Snow White' won’t be attending due to rehearsals in London. Meanwhile, popular Met couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are skipping this year amid an ongoing legal controversy with Justin Baldoni. Supermodel Gisele Bündchen has also reportedly declined her invitation this time around.

Kiara Advani’s Grand Met Gala Debut

In exciting news for Indian fans, Kiara Advani is all set to make her Met Gala debut this year! She will become one of the few Bollywood celebrities to grace this global stage, following the footsteps of stars like Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. Fans are already buzzing about which designer Kiara might wear, and one thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on her.

With a rich theme, a jaw-dropping guest list, and the magic of fashion meeting culture, Met Gala 2025 is shaping up to be an event for the ages.

Stay tuned to India Forums for all the latest updates, red carpet highlights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s most fashionable night!