‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Star Meryl Streep (76) Skips the Met Gala Every Year—Here’s the Reason Why

Big events in the entertainment and fashion world often come with a lot of expectations. Fans watch closely to see which celebrities will show up, what they will wear, and who might be making a first-time appearance. When someone well-known is rumored to attend a major event, it usually becomes a talking point long before the actual night.

One of those events is the Met Gala, which takes place every year in New York City. It is widely known as one of the biggest nights in fashion, with celebrities, designers, and public figures coming together for a themed evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors will not be attending the 2026 edition.

A representative for Meryl Streep confirmed that she will not be present at the upcoming event, despite speculation that she might finally appear this year. The rep said, “Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna [Wintour] and her incredible imagination and stamina—it has never quite been her scene.”

This clarification ended any remaining hope from fans who believed she might make a surprise debut on the famous steps of the museum. Over the years, her absence has stood out because many major actors and musicians have attended at least once, often treating it as a major career moment.

The Met Gala itself is organized by Vogue under the direction of Anna Wintour. It is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute and is held every first Monday in May. Each year has a specific theme, and guests are expected to dress in outfits that match or reflect that theme. The event is often described as one of the most exclusive gatherings in the world of fashion.

Tickets for the gala are extremely expensive and are usually bought by fashion houses or brands rather than individuals. The night is also heavily covered by media, with outfits and arrivals becoming global talking points within minutes.

While many celebrities use the event to make bold fashion statements, Streep has always taken a different approach. She is known for being selective about public appearances and tends to focus more on film work than red carpet events. Even though she has a long history in Hollywood and strong ties to the fashion world through her film roles, she has never felt the need to take part in the gala.

Her connection to the fashion industry is still well known. In The Devil Wears Prada, she played Miranda Priestly, a powerful fashion magazine editor. The role became iconic and is often linked to real-life fashion figures, including Anna Wintour, though Streep has said her performance was not meant to directly copy anyone.

In a recent interview shared by E! News, she explained her approach to the character. She said, “I was not interested in replicating her; I wanted to make my own person.” She also added, “And as I have gotten to know her over the years, I feel like—my Miranda is fully formed.”

The 2026 Met Gala is expected to continue its tradition of high-profile guests and carefully designed fashion moments. Still, as confirmed by her representative, Streep will not be part of the night, keeping her long-standing absence from the event unchanged.

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