Gwyneth Paltrow Takes Aim at Met Gala Costume Culture
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has appeared to deliver a subtle critique of fellow A-list celebrities who opt for extravagant costumes at the annual Met Gala in New York City. The 53-year-old star, who recently showcased glamour at the Valentino fashion show in Rome, addressed the topic in a blog post published on her Goop website this Tuesday.
Evening Dress Over Costume
Paltrow, who has occasionally attended the Met Gala over the years despite previously labelling the festivities as 'so un-fun', was asked to share her seven favourite red carpet looks. Among them was her yellow Chloe gown from the 2019 Met Gala, which marked her last appearance at the event. That year's theme was Camp, but Paltrow made her stance clear.
'Also, like, I'm me - so I'm never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know?' she explained. 'I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I'm not going in a costume; I'm going in a dress.'
This comment seemed to reference notable costume choices from other celebrities. For instance, singer Katy Perry famously wore a hamburger costume at the 2019 gala, while Jared Leto dressed as a cat in 2023, and Zendaya sported a Cinderella-inspired LED ballgown also in 2019.
Two Camps at the Met Ball
Paltrow further elaborated on the dichotomy at the event. 'There's two camps who go to the Met Ball - the costume or the evening dress. And I'm always going to be an evening dress person,' she stated. Describing her 2019 yellow gown, she added, 'So this was so light and comfortable and chiffon-y and dreamy, and it was just like a lemon chiffon pie.'
Her pale blue Prada dress from the 2012 Met Gala also featured in her top seven list, reinforcing her preference for traditional elegance over theatrical outfits.
Recalling Negative Experiences
Paltrow has not shied away from expressing her dissatisfaction with the Met Gala in the past. In a 2013 interview with USA Today, she bluntly stated, 'Do you want me to be honest?... It sucked. I'm never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all.'
She reiterated these sentiments during an appearance on The Kyle And Jackie O Show, per E! News. 'Like you always think, "Oh my God. This is going to be so glamorous and amazing and you're going to see all these people." And then you're there, and it's so hot. It's so crowded. Everyone's pushing you. This year it was really intense. It wasn't fun,' Paltrow recalled.
She also mentioned an incident from the 2013 gala where Kanye West performed. 'He was playing and he was furious and he threw his microphone down. It was all drama,' she explained.
Other Celebrities Echo Discomfort
Paltrow is not alone in her critical views. Jennifer Garner described the event as 'a little scary' during Vogue's Beauty Secret series, noting she hasn't returned despite calling it a 'majestic and special' night. Demi Lovato, who attended in 2016, told Billboard she had 'a terrible experience', citing cliquey behaviour and discomfort that made her want to drink.
Model Quannah Chasinghorse told Insider in 2021 that the Met Gala was 'such a weird space to be in', feeling lonely and overlooked amidst the self-focused crowd.
Recent Activities and Future Projects
Despite her 2013 vow to never return, Paltrow attended the Met Gala in 2017 and 2019. Recently, she has kept busy with high-profile engagements. She attended the Valentino Fall/Winter 2026 runway show in Rome, turning heads in a vibrant green minidress paired with white tights and blue pumps.
Paltrow also recently took on a role in the film Marty Supreme, starring alongside Timothee Chalamet and Odessa A'zion. Directed by Josh Safdie, this sports drama has garnered nine nominations at the upcoming 2026 Oscars. The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
