Met Gala season is here — and for some famous faces, the so-called Met Gala “curse” could end up being the headline instead of their outfits…
On the first Monday in May, a host of A-listers will return to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, stepping out in their most show-stopping looks while following this year’s theme of ‘Costume Art’.
Big names tipped to appear include Doja Cat, Jeff Bezos, Sabrina Carpenter and Zoë Kravitz, along with plenty of other celebrities.
For many, it’s one of the most talked-about nights of the year. But for couples who are newly dating — or making their first joint appearance at the event — the bigger worry may not be what they wear, but what happens afterward.
To be clear, there’s no official “curse.” Still, fans have long pointed out a pattern: several couples who attend together for the first time go on to split within the following year.
Because Met Gala invites are tightly controlled — with Vogue boss Anna Wintour approving the guest list — random plus-ones typically aren’t a thing.
That means the theory tends to focus on high-profile celebrity pairings only, even if it’s not exactly an exclusive club anyone wants to join.
While most viewers tune in for the fashion, plenty also watch for who arrives together — and who uses the night as their big couple debut.
Over the years, some stars have stepped onto the carpet with a partner for the first time, only for the relationship to unravel not long after.
One of the most memorable examples is Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson, who made a major splash at the 2022 Met Gala — their second red carpet together, coming just a week after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The appearance was such a moment it even featured on the family’s reality TV series, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. (Yes, including the scene that everyone still talks about.)
But despite looking loved-up on the night, they split just three months later, with distance and work commitments reported to be key factors.
Let’s just hope Kim K doesn’t bring Lewis Hamilton this year…
And it’s not limited to a handful of couples, either — the list is surprisingly long. Some celebrities, including Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd, have even been linked to the “curse” more than once.
Here are some of the most well-known names said to have been hit by the Met Gala curse, listed from most recent, as per Cosmopolitan:
Interestingly, it doesn’t appear to have claimed anyone in 2025 — so maybe the streak has finally ended.
As you’d expect, attending the most exclusive night in fashion comes with an eye-watering price tag.
If you’re one of the people approved for the guest list by former Vogue editor Anna Wintour, an individual ticket is said to cost around $75,000 — roughly a 50 percent jump from 2023.
The catch (or perk, if you’re an A-lister) is that celebrities typically aren’t paying for themselves.
Instead, fashion houses and designers buy tables — reported at $350,000 — then invite stars to join them while wearing the brand’s pieces.
Beyond the spectacle, the Met Gala is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The money generated through tickets and tables supports the department’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and ongoing operating costs.