(Image source from: Twitter.com/WhiteHouse)
The Met Gala, recognized as the most dazzling and significant night in the fashion industry, boasts remarkable celebrity attendance. This premier fashion event attracts Oscar-winning actors, musicians, and various other public figures, all curated by Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who is responsible for assembling the guest list every year. However, a prominent absence has been that of former President Donald Trump, who has not attended for several years. The backstory behind his exclusion is intriguing. A report by The Independent indicates that Trump frequently attended the Met Gala until 2012 but was banned by Wintour shortly after he took office as President. Although she has not publicly explained her decision, Wintour is known for her support of the Democratic Party and her close ties with the Obama family. Additionally, she has openly criticized Trump's policies.
During an appearance on The Late Night Show With James Cordon in 2017, Wintour was questioned about any individuals she would exclude from future events, and she mentioned Trump. In 2016, television personality Tim Gunn acknowledged that he was banned from the Gala after making remarks about Wintour. Another notable figure, Zayn Malik, who attended the event in 2016 with his former partner Gigi Hadid, expressed his lack of enthusiasm for the extravagant night. Both actors Tina Fey and Lili Reinhart have also faced bans due to their controversial statements and critique of Wintour. This year's Gala focused on Black fashion and its rich history of dandyism, highlighting its subversive elements.
Basketball icon LeBron James served as the honorary chair, while a committee that included Andre 3000 from OutKast, famed gymnast Simone Biles, rapper Doechii, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, and filmmaker Spike Lee orchestrated a memorable display of style. Indian celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Kiara Advani, and Diljit Dosanjh graced the occasion on Monday evening. The Met Gala took place five years following the significant anti-racist movements associated with Black Lives Matter, which prompted numerous cultural institutions in the United States to reconsider their approaches to race and diversity representation.
