13 Celebrities Who Attended the Met Gala and Immediately Regretted It

Some celebrities show up to the Met Gala like it’s a fun night out. Others walk in, look around, and instantly regret the whole decision. And this year’s “glamorous” fairy tale gets ripped open by real moments of discomfort, resentment, and feeling painfully out of place.

Take Tina Fey, who skipped the Met Gala but still couldn’t resist roasting it, calling it a “jerk parade” and dragging her husband, Jeff Richmond, along for her only visit. Then there’s Quannah Chasinghorse, who debuted in 2021 and said she felt invisible, especially with the “In America” theme. Even Tim Gunn’s story has teeth, because he’s reportedly been shut out after a 2016 anecdote about Anna Wintour that went very badly.

Here’s the full story of what happens when the Met Gala stops feeling magical and starts feeling like a mess you can’t talk your way out of.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey has zero regrets about skipping the Met Gala—except for dragging her husband, Jeff Richmond, to her one and only visit, something he apparently hasn't forgiven her for.

She famously called it a "jerk parade" on Letterman in 2010, describing a stunning venue completely wasted on the worst possible crowd. Her verdict: if you could punch a million people, they'd all be in that room.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Quannah Chasinghorse

When Indigenous model and climate activist Quannah made her Met Gala debut in 2021, the reality didn't match the moment. Despite the glamour, she felt invisible—surrounded by people who neither knew her nor seemed curious to.

"I remember standing there feeling so alone. No one knew me. No one cared to ask," she told Business Insider.

Using that year's "In America" theme to honor her roots, Quannah was struck by the near absence of other Indigenous guests.

"No way am I celebrating America," she said. "If I'm celebrating anything, it's my Indigeneity."

The experience left her questioning whether she belongs in those spaces at all.

"I'm not an elitist... I feel like I'm constantly having to break barriers," she explained.Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images

Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn has been conspicuously absent from the Met Gala guest list—and it's no accident. The Project Runway veteran was reportedly banned by Anna Wintour after a 2016 anecdote backfired badly.

Asked about his most unforgettable fashion moment, he described witnessing Wintour being carried down five flights of stairs by two bodyguards after a show. The comment didn't sit well with the former Vogue editor, and by Gunn's own admission, the two have been at odds ever since.

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Tina Fey may have skipped at first, but her “jerk parade” rant makes it clear she did not hold back once she finally talked about the crowd she saw.

The Glamorous Facade

The Met Gala is often painted as the crown jewel of celebrity culture, but this article reveals a more nuanced truth. While attendees like Lena Dunham and Sarah Jessica Parker may have dazzled on the red carpet, behind the scenes, they felt overwhelmed and even regretful about the experience. It's a stark reminder that the glitz and glamour come at a cost, both emotionally and mentally.

When celebrities voice dissatisfaction about a high-profile event, it sparks a conversation about the pressures of fame. These stars are expected to maintain a perfect image while grappling with the realities of public scrutiny. It raises the question: at what point does the allure of fame turn into a burden?

A Cultural Reflection

The Met Gala isn’t just an event; it’s a cultural phenomenon that reflects our values and obsessions. It’s fascinating to see how the celebrities’ post-Gala regrets resonate with a broader audience. Many people can relate to the feeling of attending a highly anticipated event only to feel let down. This shared experience creates an unexpected bond between fans and celebrities.

Moreover, the discussion surrounding the pressures of fame and the mental health struggles that accompany it is more relevant than ever. The fact that stars are beginning to speak out about their feelings at such a prestigious event indicates a shift in our cultural narrative, one that prioritizes authenticity over perfection.

Zayn Malik

Zayn attended the 2018 Met Gala alongside then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid, though the experience was far from his idea of a good time. The Bradford-born singer admitted he had no prior knowledge of the event and only showed up after his stylist convinced him to go.

In a GQ interview, he made his feelings clear—he'd much rather spend his time doing something meaningful at home than wearing extravagant outfits and posing for cameras, dismissing the whole affair as self-indulgent performance.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Lawrence has attended the Met Gala only once—her 2007 debut—and has described the experience as intimidating. The highlight of the evening was the stunning red Valentino strapless gown she wore, which she later called magical, made even more memorable by the presence of designer Valentino Garavani himself.

The gala that year celebrated Poiret: King of Fashion, and the dress left such a lasting impression that Lawrence shared a throwback photo of it on Instagram in 2018—humorously noting that the experience taught her to never take a solo bathroom trip for granted.

Chance Yeh/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Regé-Jean Page

Despite attending the Met Gala twice, in 2022 and 2025, Regé-Jean Page found little joy in either experience. The Bridgerton star confessed to Esquire that the glamour masked a surprising sense of isolation—even surrounded by industry peers, he felt utterly alone.

In his view, the most exclusive room in fashion is quietly full of lost souls, dressed impeccably but craving genuine connection.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Quannah Chasinghorse’s debut in 2021 adds a different kind of sting, because she said she felt alone even while the “In America” theme was supposed to celebrate her.

The Cost of Fame

This article highlights a critical tension in the world of celebrity: the expectation vs. the reality. For some celebrities, like Billie Eilish, attending the Met Gala comes with a heavy emotional toll. The pressure to wear extravagant outfits and perform well for the cameras can lead to feelings of regret, especially when the experience doesn't live up to the hype.

Moreover, the financial implications can't be ignored. Many stars invest significant amounts in their looks, and when the experience turns sour, it begs the question of whether the glitz is worth the cost. It’s a conversation about what sacrifices are made in the name of fame and whether those sacrifices are sustainable.

And for more fashion fallout, check out Met Gala 2026’s most talked-about style disasters when “Fashion Is Art” backfired.

Billie Eilish

At just 19, Billie Eilish co-chaired the 2021 Met Gala—an experience that left her more disillusioned than dazzled. In a conversation on The Howard Stern Show, she admitted the night shattered any remaining mystique around fame, describing celebrities as ordinary, unremarkable people who felt no different from her own peers.

She found some A-listers irritating and observed that beneath the extravagance, most guests seemed caught up in their own self-consciousness and insecurity. Despite the sobering takeaway, she returned to the event in both 2022 and 2023.

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow made no secret of her distaste for the Met Gala, describing the event to USA Today in 2013 as miserable—overcrowded, sweltering, and nothing short of unenjoyable.

She doubled down in an interview with Australian radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O, dismissing the whole affair as far removed from its polished public image. Behind the glamorous photos, she said, lay chaos: suffocating heat, relentless crowds, and, that year, an onstage meltdown by Kanye West that added to the general mayhem.

She also took a swipe at the punk dress code, suggesting the theme was a stretch for attendees of a certain age. Despite the complaints, Paltrow returned to the event in 2017 and 2019.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

SZA

Despite being excited about her 2022 Met Gala appearance, SZA slipped out through a back exit shortly after walking the red carpet, overwhelmed by anxiety and discomfort in her outfit. The Grammy winner has spoken openly about the tension between wanting to show up for fans and struggling with confidence in those moments.

She ended up barefoot on the streets, walking several blocks before hailing a cab back to her hotel—her own version of a Cinderella story, just in reverse.

Gotham/Getty Images

Tim Gunn’s reported ban flips the mood again, turning the Met Gala into a place where one bad comment about Anna Wintour can follow you for years.

A Moment of Vulnerability

The candid reflections from celebrities about their Met Gala experiences reveal a moment of vulnerability that contrasts sharply with their public personas. When someone like Kim Kardashian admits she felt uncomfortable or out of place, it humanizes them in a way that audiences don't often see. This vulnerability resonates deeply because it challenges the glossy narrative of perfection we often associate with the elite.

This honesty may also spark a debate among fans and critics alike. Are we too quick to judge celebrities for their choices when they’re just trying to navigate an overwhelming landscape? It’s a reminder that behind the fabulous gowns and flashing lights, there’s often a complex emotional landscape.

Lena Dunham

During a 2016 interview with Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham recalled feeling out of place at the Met Gala, describing the evening as a shared countdown to escape. Her discomfort was heightened by her dinner companion, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., who she felt looked right through her—less out of cruelty, she noted, than apparent confusion over her presence. He spent much of the night scrolling through Instagram rather than engaging with her.

Dunham went on to attend the event in subsequent years and is now part of its 2024 host committee alongside Teyana Taylor and Sabrina Carpenter. She later apologized to Beckham, acknowledging that her comments stemmed from deep insecurity.

Surrounded by models and actresses at high-profile industry events, she admitted to feeling wholly out of her element—a feeling that only intensified with an attractive athlete at her side and the nagging sense he'd have preferred different company.

Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images

Ashley Park

Lily Collins' Emily in Paris co-star Ashley Park seems to have a complicated history with the Met Gala. Her 2022 debut was spent battling a severe sinus cold, powered through on a cocktail of over-the-counter medication while wearing a pink corset and feather skirt.

The following year brought a different kind of misfortune—Jared Leto's now-infamous Choupette cat suit photobombed her entire staircase moment, leaving her without a single clean shot in her custom Michael Kors mesh gown.

Noam Galai/GA/Getty Images

John Lydon

At a 2006 gala, John Lydon—aka Johnny Rotten—twice walked out in protest over his placement at the end of a long table, widely considered one of the worst spots in the room. He reportedly hurled obscenities at museum staff before eventually settling down and rejoining the event.

Jimi Celeste/WWD/Penske Media/Getty Images

And once you stack Fey’s bitterness, Quannah’s invisibility, and Gunn’s fallout, the “crown jewel” image starts looking a lot more like a carefully lit facade.

Celebrity Expectations vs. Reality

The conflict between the glamorous expectations of the Met Gala and the reality of the experience is a theme that runs throughout this article. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Zendaya showcase stunning looks, but their subsequent regret highlights a significant disconnect. They’re not just wearing fashion; they’re carrying the weight of public scrutiny and personal expectations.

This tension speaks volumes about the industry. The pressure to perform can overshadow the joy of simply attending a high-profile event. It raises important questions about how we perceive these stars and the unrealistic standards we set for them. Are we more interested in their image than their well-being?

Lizzo

Lizzo has been refreshingly candid about her less-than-glamorous experience at the 2022 Met Gala. During an Instagram Live, she described the evening as more of an ordeal than an event—long lines, no seating, and a serious lack of refreshments, all while suffering through a heavy Thom Browne coat and an unforgiving corset.

The bar situation was particularly underwhelming, with guests limited to a choice between red or white wine—a far cry from the tequila she felt she'd more than earned after hours in full Met regalia. Despite the complaints, she's shown up every year since, having once described the event as a prom for celebrities.

Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

The Met Gala remains a cultural landmark, but its carefully maintained mystique is cracking under the weight of honest testimony.

When enough people at the same party admit they would rather be somewhere else, the party itself starts to look less like a celebration and more like an elaborate performance staged for everyone except the performers.

The Takeaway

This article sheds light on the often hidden struggles of celebrities at the Met Gala, revealing that beneath the glitz, there's a complex emotional landscape filled with regret and pressure. As more stars come forward to share their feelings, it prompts us to reconsider our own expectations of fame and success. Are we ready to accept that even the most glamorous lives come with their own set of challenges? What does this mean for how we celebrate celebrity culture moving forward?

The Met Gala might look like a dream, but for some of these celebrities, it turned into a regret they still can’t shake.

Still shocked by Tina Fey’s “jerk parade,” see which 2026 Met Gala looks owned the carpet.