Once the most elusive ticket in fashion, the Met Gala is starting to look a lot more crowded. More stars, more buzz — but no longer exclusive. Now even influencers and internet stars are walking the same carpet as couture royalty
Shahrukh Khan, Kiara Advani and Diljeet Dosanjh have been added to the list of Indian invitees to the Met Gala this year, and they are all set to walk the red carpet on May 5. The announcement is perhaps the first time that this many celebs from India have been invited for the mega event, which is in sharp contrast to the earlier practice of inviting a very limited number of individuals.
For nearly 30 years, the New York fundraiser was a simple affair, but Diana Vreeland, former Harper’s BAZAAR editor and Vogue editor, gave it a theme, invited celebrities and wealthy people, and raised ticket costs. Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, took over after Vreeland retired. The event has raised over $200 million for the fashion industry.
It’s all about money
Although the gala started as a fundraising event, over the years it has weaned away from its roots. Celebrities and brands use the event as a platform to present their status and enormous amounts of wealth. This is a sign of times where influencers and celebrities are no longer restricted to just the coveted few, says designer Shubhika Sharma, who had created buzz with American actor and YouTuber Liza Koshy’s NMACC gala outfit. “Finally, the world is opening up, and it’s becoming global. Everybody is acknowledging the presence of global powers, not just the invited few. The Met Gala is, at the end of the day, raising money for the cause. Therefore, anyone who has the ability to purchase a table is actively participating. I am proud to know that Indian designers can buy tickets at the Met. From the Indian perspective, it’s great. I am not complaining,” says Shubhika, founder of Papa Don’t Preach.
There is a purpose
There’s a yearning for the event to focus on celebrating true talent and innovation instead of just parading celebrity glitz. Acclaimed designer Raghavendra Rathore spots a glimmer of optimism in the mix. “In today’s world, reach is the new currency. Events like the Met Gala have evolved — inviting faces with vast followings to amplify their message. While exclusivity may fade, the goal now is influence at scale. A billion impressions can do more for a cause than a velvet rope,” says Raghavendra.
In recent years, the Met Gala has been a crossroad between the art world and pop culture. The changing landscape of celebrity culture has opened the doors of the gala to famous reality stars, YouTubers and social media influencers.
“Expectations for the 2025 Met Gala are high; it feels less exclusive but the world has moved in that direction. The shift has been significant and far-reaching. It may be a progressive attitude to accept these changing paths and see the good also they bring. It is indeed very heartwarming to have so many of our Indian stars invited to the Met. I hope we get to stump the world with fabulous Indian-in-spirit looks. And I would love to see more people in fashion. And Art and Culture. The Met Gala is an important cultural event. An iconic one. And it must celebrate cultural contributors to our times,” says couturier Anupamaa Dayal.
For some, Met carpet is a no-no
As the crème de la crème of fashion mingle beneath the dazzling chandeliers of the Met each year, it’s quite the head-scratcher that a surprising number of power players have yet to send in their RSVP for the 2025 event.
While Anna Wintour has only admitted to indefinitely banning one person from the Met Gala, there are celebrities who have simply made it clear they would rather not attend. The former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik later said, “It’s not something I would go to,” after attending the Met Gala with his ex-girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, in 2016. “Sitting at my house doing something productive rather than dressing up in really expensive clothes and being photographed on a red carpet. To do the self-indulgent ‘look at me, I’m amazing’ thing on the red carpet – it’s not me.”
Although Princess Diana dazzled in her navy blue Dior gown at the Met in 1996, neither Prince William nor Kate Middleton has ever been there. Kate's coat dresses have their own Pinterest page, so they’re definitely influential individuals in the fashion industry. No Met has been found, though.
Despite her ethereal presence and cinematic style, Angelina Jolie has never attended. Britney Spears, the Y2K queen of drama and glitter, is another notable absentee.
