Billy Porter Says He Hasn't Been Invited to the Met Gala Since His Debut in 2019
Billy Porter Says He Hasn't Been Invited to the Met Gala Since His Debut in 2019
Michelle LeeThu, April 23, 2026 at 7:40 PM UTC
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Billy Porter at the 2019 Met GalaCredit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty -
Billy Porter revealed why he hasn't been to the Met Gala since he made his debut in 2019
The performer revealed in a new interview on radio show Bevelations that he hasn't been invited in seven years and addressed how he felt about being excluded from last year's event, which celebrated Black Dandyism
Porter also shared he will not be at the 2026 Met Gala, which will take place on Monday, May 4
There's a reason you haven't seen Billy Porter on the famous Met Gala steps in quite some time.
The actor and singer, 56, made his debut at the big fashion event in 2019. He wore a gold ensemble that paid homage to the Egyptian art curated at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, per Vogue, where the annual event is held on the first Monday in May, as well as that year's "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme.
But while his look — and entrance (he was carried by several shirtless men) — went down in Met Gala history, he hasn't been invited to the star-studded soirée since, as revealed in a new interview on SiriusXM's radio show Bevelations.
Billy Porter arriving at the 2019 Met GalaCredit: Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty
When asked by host Beverly "Bevy" Smith if he was going to attend this year's Met Gala on May 4, Porter responded, "No, I'm not going. I have not been invited," adding, "I haven't been invited back since 2019."
Porter, who was invited on behalf of Ryan Murphy, then addressed how he really felt about being excluded from last year's Met Gala, which celebrated the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibit and Black fashion, particularly the Dandyism movement.
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"I'm just going to throw that out there," he said. "I'm good. It's all good. But the reality is when people ask me, you I was not invited and I'm good, and I don't go to places where I'm not welcome."
Billy Porter at the 2020 'Vanity Fair' Oscar afterpartyCredit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
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The Tony winner explained that he's made peace with the situation since he "doesn't require validation from the outside." He continued, "So I'm going to sit and live in that because it helps keep me sane too."
This year's Met Gala is supporting the "Costume Art" exhibit (which is running from May 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027) and will center the "Fashion is Art" dress code. Co-chairs include Anna Wintour, who's held the position since 1995, in addition to Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos were announced as primary donors in November 2025. “It has been such a fun and meaningful experience, and when Anna [Wintour] called me and said, ‘Do you want to co-chair and also be the sponsors of the Met?' I was so honored," Lauren said this past March on the Today show.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
