Jennifer Garner has not attended the Met Gala in nearly two decades, and the actor has previously explained why she has chosen to stay away from one of fashion’s biggest nights.
As the 2026 Met Gala approaches on May 4, Garner remains absent from the guest list, continuing a streak that dates back to her only appearance in 2007.
Jennifer Garner Explains Decision to Skip Met Gala
Garner attended the Met Gala just once, during the 2007 event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, she explained why she has not returned.
“I went to the Met ball exactly one time,” Garner said. “I found it a little scary so I haven’t been back.”
The event that year was themed “Poiret: King of Fashion,” honoring designer Paul Poiret. Garner recalled the experience positively despite her decision not to attend again.
“I wore—that night—this magical red Valentino gown,” she said. “That was really majestic and special.”
Garner also noted that she walked the red carpet with Valentino Garavani, adding to the significance of the moment.
At the time, Garner had recently appeared in the film “Catch & Release.” She wore a red strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline, styled with a side bun and gold earrings.
Gwyneth Paltrow Also Shares Mixed Feelings About the Event
Garner is not the only former attendee to express hesitation about returning to the Met Gala. Gwyneth Paltrow previously said she would “never” attend again after her 2013 appearance.
At the time, Paltrow told USA Today the event was “boiling,” “crowded,” and “so un-fun.”
She later returned in 2017 and again in 2019, but has continued to describe her feelings about the event as mixed.
“I have sort of a love-hate relationship with the Met Ball,” Paltrow wrote in a March post on her Goop platform, “that’s well documented.”
Paltrow has not ruled out attending future events, including the 2026 gala themed “Costume Art.” However, she made it clear there are limits to how far she would go with the theme.
“I’m me—so I’m never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know?” she wrote. “I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I’m not going in a costume; I’m going in a dress.”
Met Gala 2026 Returns With New Theme and High-Profile Guests
The Met Gala takes place annually on the first Monday in May and serves as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. The 2026 event will follow that tradition, with a new theme and an evening exhibition.
This year’s theme is “Costume Art,” paired with the dress code “Fashion is Art.” The exhibition will explore the role of fashion throughout art history, including its connections to cultural expression.
Curator Andrew Bolton described the exhibition as a major development for the museum.
“It will be transformative for our department … and for fashion more generally,” Bolton said.
The exhibit will feature garments alongside paintings, sculptures, and other objects spanning thousands of years. It will be organized around multiple themes, including commonly represented body types and those less frequently highlighted.
The exhibition will run from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027.
Met Gala 2026 Features Celebrity Co-Chairs and Anticipated Appearances
The 2026 Met Gala co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and, as always, Anna Wintour.
