As stars descend on New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for fashion’s biggest night, one of the most iconic families in music and style is notably absent.

Beyoncé and daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter have not appeared at the Met Gala 2025, despite hope among fans that the trio might make a surprise entrance.

What To Know

The singer, a Met Gala veteran known for some of the most memorable red carpet moments in the event’s history, last attended in 2016. Her absence this year, along with that of her daughters, was widely anticipated, and now appears confirmed by the fact they were not seen entering the gala by press time.

Why Isn’t Beyoncé at Met Gala 2025?

This year’s Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” highlighted Black cultural influence in fashion, with an all-Black male co-chair lineup featuring A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo and Lewis Hamilton. Given Beyoncé’s long-standing contributions to both fashion and Black artistry, some fans speculated that the event might mark her return.

But the Carters were never likely to appear. Beyoncé kicked off her “Cowboy Carter” tour in Inglewood, California, on April 28.

Six concerts were scheduled between then and May 9 — all in Los Angeles — making a cross-country appearance at the event virtually impossible.

Why Weren’t Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter at the Met Gala?

Blue Ivy, 13, is also heavily involved in the production of the tour, further reducing the likelihood of the duo appearing in New York. Since the Met Gala does not invite people under 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, Blue Ivy would only attend with Beyoncé—and not alone.

As for Rumi Carter, now 7, she would also be unable to attend independently. While Beyoncé and Jay-Z have occasionally brought their children to high-profile events—Blue Ivy has made appearances at everything from the Super Bowl to the Grammys—the Met Gala is a rarefied event with stricter age rules and exclusivity.

Though Beyoncé hasn’t issued a public statement about her absence, tour demands seem to be the primary reason. Other stars like Kendrick Lamar and Katy Perry also cited touring schedules as reasons for skipping the gala this year. Lamar has a concert scheduled in Philadelphia on Met Gala night.

What’s Next

While fans may be disappointed by the Carters’ absence, there remains hope for a future appearance. Beyoncé attended every year from 2011 to 2016.

This year’s gala featured other standout guests, including Shakira, Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Janelle Monáe. Despite this, the absence of Beyoncé left a notable void, especially as she continues to redefine country music with her “Cowboy Carter” project.

As Beyoncé once said about balancing work and motherhood: “My daughter introduced me to myself.” That commitment to her children—and her art—appears to be the reason behind skipping this year’s Met Gala.