March 22, 2025: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, one of Hollywood’s most cherished couples, will not be attending the 2025 Met Gala, according to a source close to the couple who confirmed the news to People magazine. This comes as a surprising turn of events, especially since the power couple has been a consistent presence at the prestigious annual fashion event in recent years.
Their absence from the 2025 Met Gala is particularly notable, as the last time they graced the red carpet was in 2022. The couple served as co-chairs of the gala that year alongside Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lively wowed the attendees with a custom Atelier Versace gown that featured a reversible train, a moment she made iconic by flipping it halfway up the famous museum steps.
This year, the Met Gala, set for May 5, will honor the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which is inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. The exhibit will explore the timeless and influential style of Black men, particularly focusing on the dandyism movement. It will showcase a diverse collection of garments, paintings, photographs, and more, highlighting the powerful contributions of Black men to fashion.
While fans were eager to see the couple’s red carpet moments once again, Lively and Reynolds’ decision to sit out this year’s event comes amid some personal challenges. The couple has been embroiled in a legal battle concerning Lively’s upcoming movie It Ends With Us. In December, Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni and his co-producers, which has since led to a counterclaim from Baldoni. The director filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their team, intensifying the legal situation.
As of now, Lively and Reynolds have not commented on their decision to skip the Met Gala, but the ongoing legal drama seems to be a major factor in their absence this year. Fans and the fashion world will undoubtedly miss their presence at this year’s star-studded event.