Why did Timothée Chalamet miss the 2025 Met Gala? Reasons explained

Timothée Chalamet’s decision to miss the Met Gala 2025 wasn’t borne of schedule conflicts or fashion fatigue—it was pure playoff fever. The actor spent the evening courtside at home, watching the Knicks take on the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Rather than slipping into a bespoke tuxedo, Chalamet shared snapshots on Instagram of himself and friends huddled around an iPad, eyes glued to the hardwood action. Kylie Jenner—who has attended the gala seven times—hinted at his absence with a cheeky Snapchat story, sporting a Knicks cap and bikini as she prepared for the night’s festivities.

His no‑show places him among a surprising list of celebrities who also gave the gala a pass this year. Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively all stayed off the steps, opting instead for low‑key evenings or work commitments. Chalamet himself has only walked the Met steps once as a co‑host in 2021, when he famously paired a Haider Ackermann satin tuxedo jacket with white sweats and Converse sneakers, so this was less a break from tradition and more a nod to personal priorities.

Met Gala 2025: Hits, misses, and Timothée’s past moments

This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, paid homage to the art of Black dandyism, inviting guests to marry sleek suiting with bold flair. Stars like Zendaya and Rihanna leaned into the motif with sharply tailored velvet and feathered headpieces, respectively. Bad Bunny’s Prada suit turned heads, while co‑chair Colman Domingo delivered a tuxedo‑meets‑afro‑streetwear mash‑up that epitomized modern dandyism. Lewis Hamilton and Pharrell Williams also impressed with bespoke Louis Vuitton and Wales Bonner creations that riffed on tailoring tropes.

Yet not every look resonated. Business Insider pegged Pharrell’s minimalist black ensemble as underwhelming, and Kim Kardashian’s leather number drew criticism for missing the theme’s sartorial nuances. Pamela Anderson’s glittering Tory Burch gown and Maya Hawke’s pastel Prada slip also felt out of sync with the event’s dapper ethos. Even heavyweights like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner found their monochrome suits branded “too corporate” for the occasion.

Chalamet’s own Met Gala past has been defined by playful subversion of dress codes. As co‑chair in 2021, he arrived in an all‑white Haider Ackermann look—complete with Rick Owens sweats and Chuck Taylors—turning the Met steps into a runway for street‑meets‑couture. That relaxed elegance continues to inform how we remember his red‑carpet moments, making his 2025 absence all the more poignant against a backdrop of tailored bravado.

In a year when every detail of the Met Gala was parsed for fashion statements, Timothée Chalamet chose to miss the event and root for his hometown team instead. His absence speaks to a celebrity culture that’s as much about personal passions as it is about high‑fashion spectacle—and reminds us that even the biggest stars sometimes have bigger priorities than the Costume Institute steps.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.