AceShowbiz - Timothée Chalamet was notably absent from the highly anticipated 2026 Met Gala, despite his relationship with Kylie Jenner, who dazzled on the iconic steps of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the gala is a celebrated event known for its glamorous attendees and elaborate fashion, the Wonka actor chose a different way to spend his evening.

On May 4, Timothée Chalamet shared via his Instagram Story that he was watching the New York Knicks face off against the Philadelphia 76ers in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals. His dedication to the Knicks meant he missed the Costume Institute benefit that Kylie Jenner attended, making it clear his priorities for the night were firmly rooted in supporting his beloved basketball team.

Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner made a striking appearance at the Met Gala, adhering to the “Fashion Is Art” dress code with a custom design by Schiaparelli. Her outfit featured a nude illusion corset bustier adorned with delicate fake nipple details, perfectly capturing the event’s theme of costume as art. Kylie completed her look with softly waved brunette hair and an exquisite diamond and pearl necklace, fitting for the gala co-chaired by fashion and entertainment heavyweights including Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.

Although Timothée Chalamet was not present at the 2026 Met Gala, he is no stranger to the prestigious event. Back in 2022, the actor co-chaired the Met Gala alongside young cultural icons Billie Eilish, Olympian Naomi Osaka, and poet Amanda Gorman. For that occasion, he wore an all-white ensemble designed by French fashion designer Haider Ackermann, pairing the outfit with white Converse sneakers. His confident yet casual style captivated the fashion world and underscored his unique approach to red carpet dressing.

At the time, Vogue noted that Chalamet was chosen as a co-chair due to his “unexpected mix of streetwear, lack of a stylist, and embrace of avant-garde labels,” qualities that set him apart from other celebrities. The honor was not taken lightly by the actor, who expressed his feelings during a red carpet interview with Keke Palmer. Initially calling it a “stupid honor,” he quickly corrected himself, clarifying, “It’s a stupidly big honor—I should put it like that.”

This year, Timothée Chalamet returns to a busy schedule, with an Oscar nomination for Marty Supreme and the upcoming release of Dune: Part 3. His absence from the Met Gala does not diminish his impact on the fashion world or his growing influence as a cultural figure. Outside of the spotlight, Chalamet has emphasized the importance of living a balanced life. In a 2023 interview with GQ, he remarked, “You’ve got to have real experiences. Human experiences. You’ve got to fall in love, you’ve got to be bored.” This philosophy helps explain why he chose to skip the gala in favor of a more personal and grounded experience.

The 2026 Met Gala was a star-studded affair showcasing some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion. Alongside Kylie Jenner, who stood out in her Schiaparelli creation, attendees included Beyoncé, who wore a custom Olivier Rousteing design paired with Chopard jewelry; Rihanna, who donned Maison Margiela with accessories from Briony Raymond and Dyne; and Kim Kardashian in a custom Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem ensemble complemented by Christian Louboutin shoes.

Other notable appearances included Bad Bunny in a custom Zara outfit, Heidi Klum wearing Mike Marino, Cardi B dressed in Marc Jacobs, and Hailey Bieber in Saint Laurent with Belperron jewelry. Blake Lively stunned in Atelier Versace and Lorraine Schwartz jewels, while Sabrina Carpenter opted for Dior paired with Christian Louboutin shoes and Chopard jewelry. The star power extended further with Anne Hathaway in Michael Kors, Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci in Etro and Breitling, and Katy Perry wearing Stella McCartney.

Fashion icons such as Gigi Hadid, Lisa in Robert Wun, Teyana Taylor in Tom Ford, and Blue Ivy Carter in Balenciaga were also present. The event featured a diverse range of styles and designers, including Kendall Jenner in Gap Studio by Zac Posen, Doja Cat in Saint Laurent, and Margot Robbie in Chanel. Nicole Kidman and her daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban appeared in Dior and Chanel, respectively, while A$AP Rocky sported Chanel.

Additional attendees featured Emily Blunt in Ashi Studio and Mikimoto jewelry, Cher in Burberry, Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent, Suki Waterhouse in Michael Kors, and Tyla in Valentino with Jacob & Co. jewelry. Jeremy Pope wore Vivienne Westwood, Ayo Edebiri chose Chanel, and Irina Shayk appeared in Alexander Wang, rounding out an impressive guest list.

For those interested in catching all the highlights, E! will be broadcasting every must-see moment from the Met Gala 2026 on May 4, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. This coverage offers fans a comprehensive look at the glamour, fashion, and excitement surrounding one of New York’s most iconic cultural events.