We've been treated to a whole bunch of killer looks this year on the Met Gala red carpet.
From Kim Kardashian's 'scary' John Galliano corset to Doja Cat's peculiar towel ensemble - it's clear celebs (at least some of them) went all out last evening (6 May) to truly embody the theme, which was 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' with a dress code of 'The Garden of Time'.
However, there was one star whose absence was extremely noticeable - none other than Met Gala mainstay, Rihanna.
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The 36-year-old has become known for her incredible looks she dons for the special occasion.
Back in 2018, for the 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination', Rihanna wore a custom creation by John Galliano with a mitre hat to complete the look.
A few years prior, in 2015, the 'Work' hit-maker sent fans into a right frenzy with her bright yellow cape and gown by Guo Pei which was, arguably, one of the most memorable looks to ever make its way up the grand staircase expertly following the 'China: Through the Looking Glass' theme.
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Her 2017 look for the 'Rei Kawakubo: Art Of The In-Between' stunned too as well as her eye-catching getup just last year in 2023, where she wore a Valentino number for the 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' night.
So, fans were shocked after Rihanna was seemingly no where to be seen and took to social media to share their confusion.
One X, formerly Twitter, user hit out: "The Met Gala can’t be over where’s Rihanna?"
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A second exclaimed: "WHERE IS RIHANNA WHEN WE NEED HER!!!"
"Bro Rihanna, where are you at? You better don’t be 5 hours late like the last time…" joked a third while a fourth chimed in: "Where is Rihanna Queen Of Met Gala?"
Another echoed: "Rihanna where are you, the Met Gala needs you!"
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And a final Twitter user added: "Rihanna where are you? I’m just waiting for you and I know you never disappoint."
So what is the 'reason' why Rihanna reportedly 'skipped' the 2024 Met Gala after she 'cancelled' last minute?
Well, according to PEOPLE, the Fenty businesswoman had to cancel as she is 'sick with the flu'.
Get well soon, RiRi!
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Tyla has reached out to Rihanna's representatives for comment.
Top 10 Met Gala themes
1985 - Costumes of Royal India
A celebration of Royal India’s fashions, the 1985 Met Gala saw a plethora of South Asian-inspired designs that featured stunning embroidery and extravagant embellishments.
Pop icon Cher turned heads at the 1985 exhibition in a sheer, embellished Bob Mackie gown, truly making fashion history.
1990 - Théâtre de la Mode: Fashion Dolls: The Survival of Haute Couture
Now a Met Gala connoisseur, 1990 was the first year supermodel Naomi Campbell attended, wearing a colourful mini dress.
This theme was also a rather special one down to the fact it featured mannequins created post-WWII by French fashion designers.
1996 - Christian Dior
The 1996 Met Gala paid homage to the late French fashion designer, who died in 1957.
This particular event is well noted for Princess Diana being in attendance wearing a navy Dior gown.
She had a close relationship with the fashion house - so much so that Dior renamed its 1994 handbag, previously known as Chouchou to Princese, to honour Diana, naming it Lady Dior.
1999 - Rock Style
The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland joined forces for the Met Gala to spotlight classic rock-'n'-roll performers and their pervasive influence on style.
Many will recall this Met Gala for Liv Tyler and Stella McCartney’s matching DIY T-shirts that read ‘Rock Royalty’.
2006 - Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion
Curated by Andrew Bolton at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 2006 Met Gala featured a classy showcase from British designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Burberry.
2010 - American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity
2010 was the year to celebrate American women, and the Met Gala exhibition did just that.
Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry and Sarah Jessica Parker were out in full force showcasing flamboyant designs from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.
2013: Punk: Chaos to Couture
This year’s event benefited the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and saw celebs push boundaries with punk-themed designs.
From a fishnet-clad Madonna to a bleached blonde Miley Cyrus in a mesh ensemble, the 2013 Met Gala is certainly one for the archives.
2015: China: Through the Looking Glass
Arguably one of the most iconic Met Galas of all time, the 2015 event focused on China’s influence on Western fashion, making for some truly stunning theatrics.
Designs from the likes of Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Guo Pei, and Christian Dior Haute Couture were at the forefront, featuring stars like Beyoncé and Rhianna.
2018: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
Alongside some stunning looks by the likes of Rhianna and Blake Lively, this theme also had hundreds of holy items on display, including dozens of artifacts sent over from The Vatican - many of which had never left Rome before.
2022 - In America: An Anthology of Fashion
This theme was the second part of the Metropolitan Museum's examination of American fashion - the first being 2021’s "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion".
Kim Kardashian being the first person to ever be allowed to wear Marilyn Monroe’s iconic ‘Happy Birthday’ dress was perhaps the most iconic look from this year’s Met Gala.
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Fashion, Met Gala, Rihanna, Music
Rhiannon Ingle