Olivia Rodrigo says she skipped the Met Gala because it 'doesn't bring me joy'

Olivia Rodrigo said she skipped the 2026 Met Gala despite being in New York City and attending one of the night’s after-parties. On May 29th’s New York Times “Popcast,” she demurred, “I’m not really a fashion girl.” Host Jon Caramanica pushed back, noting, “Candidly, many people who attend the Met Gala are not fashion people.” After considering her words carefully, she added, “This is my third album, I don’t feel like I need to do things that don’t bring me joy or inspire me or fuel me or feel aligned with my values.” Rodrigo said, “It’s not as fun or exciting anymore,” and agreed with Joe Santagato that she can be “more discerning.” She has attended the Met Gala three times, last appearing on the museum steps in 2023 in a black-and-white rosette-trimmed Thom Browne gown and later going to the Saint Laurent after-party in a vintage Vivienne Westwood minidress.

Rodrigo also addressed a separate debate over the babydoll dresses she’s worn onstage to kick off her You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love tour.

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