What is the Met Gala curse?

As we put a wrap on all things Met Gala this year, details regarding celebrity fashion, relationships, and scandals are coming to light. Over these last few years, the Met Monday has had celebs announcing their pregnancy, making political statements, or even hard-launching their partners. However, it is not uncommon to hear details of breakups and divorces rolling in soon after — a phenomenon promptly noted and captured culture experts as the ‘Met Gala curse’.
What exactly is the Met Gala curse?
The infamous ‘Met Gala curse’ claims that once a celebrity couple makes their red carpet debut or even attends the exclusive event, they announce their split soon after. Fans have noted this strange turn of events for years and famously dubbed it so. Many celebrity pairs meet at this highly coveted gala, start a torrid romance that is often splashed all over the media, and eventually part ways—in quick succession.
A notable example is Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston. The American singer and actor met on ‘fashion’s biggest night’ back in 2016 and were embroiled in a summer romance that was unfortunately short-lived. The couple called it quits, and later, Swift’s album Reputation reportedly featured a song that hinted at their brief romance.
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Is there any particular reasoning behind it?
Counselling psycholog Priyamvada Tendulkar said that despite being the ‘perfect couple’ in the public eye, there could be internal triggers and dissatisfaction between them. “The comparison between what looks and appears to be and what feels to be in that relationship may be vastly different—eventually leading to discontentment and regular fights,” she said, adding that it might result in a breakup.
Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse attended the Met Gala together in 2018 (Source: Instagram/@_metgala2019)
Besides the Swift-Hiddleston split, numerous celebrity couples have fallen prey to this ‘curse’.
Celeb pairings who have succumbed to it
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik—attended in 2016
Selena Gomez and The Weeknd—attended in 2017
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott—attended in 2018
Hailey Bieber and Shawn Mendes—attended in 2018
Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse—attended in 2018
Miley Cyrus and Liam Lemsworth – attended in 2019
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello—attended in 2021
Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal—attended in 2022
Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson—attended in 2022
Who skipped the Met Gala this year?
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, and Jennifer Lopez were absent from the Met Gala roster in attendance on Monday. Honorary co-chair LeBron James had to pass up on his Met Gala debut owing to an unfortunate knee injury. His wife walked the steps on his behalf.Story continues below this ad

Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, who are currently on tour, also skipped the event. Selena Gomez and fiancé Benny Blanco sat this one down since the former was busy attending a Rare Beauty mental health awareness event in Los Angeles.