Taylor Swift did not surprise fans at the Met Gala – here’s why

Taylor Swift fans will have to wait a little longer for her return to the Met Gala. 

E! News confirmed that the 14-time Grammy winner opted to skip this year's festivities, prioritizing rehearsals and preparations for the highly anticipated European leg of her Eras Tour.

The annual fundraiser, held on May 6th, boasted the theme “Garden of Time,” aligning with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibit. This glamorous event, co-chaired by celebrities like Zendaya and Bad Bunny, fell just three days before Swift's scheduled concert at Paris La Défense Arena.

Following suit, her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, reportedly declined his invitation as well, according to TMZ.

Swift last graced the red carpet at six previous events, even co-chairing the 2016 celebration honoring “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

“Swifties” believe the 2016 Met Gala marked the beginning of her romance with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. The Grammy award-winning artist seemingly hinted at their red carpet encounter in her song “Dress” with the lyrics, “Flashback when you met me / Your buzzcut and my hair bleached.” 

Since her 2016 co-hosting duties, Swift has remained absent from the prestigious fashion event. Her 2023 hiatus mirrored this year's decision, prioritizing her Eras Tour kickoff in Nashville.