Billy Porter Shares He Hasn’t Been Invited Back to Met Gala Since 2019

Billy Porter won’t be striking a pose at the 2026 Met Gala.

Despite being known for his unique and stylish red carpet looks, the Emmy-winning actor won’t be at the Met Gala this year – he simply didn’t receive an invitation.

Billy mentioned on SiriusXM’s Bevelations on April 22nd that he hasn’t been asked to return since 2019. He explained that 2019 was the only time he’d ever been invited, and Ryan Murphy was the one who extended the invitation that year.

Although the actor from Pose hasn’t been invited to the event for seven years, he felt particularly left out last year. The theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and he wished he could have been there.

The speaker, age 56, jokingly mentioned feeling left out of the ‘Black dandyism’ scene last year. They clarified that when people ask about their involvement, they always point out they weren’t invited and prefer not to attend events where they aren’t wanted.

Billy assured everyone he’s doing well and has processed his feelings about being left out, so it doesn’t bother him.

The award-winning performer explained that while they appreciate being invited to events, they’ve reached a point where external approval isn’t necessary for their own sense of self-worth. They feel content focusing on their inner validation, which helps them stay grounded and maintain their peace of mind.

Billy Porter announced he won’t be attending the 2024 Met Gala due to the recent passing of his mother.

He shared with TopMob News a week before the event that he’d recently lost his mother. He explained he needed to prioritize his own well-being, which meant he wouldn’t be able to attend the party on occasion.

Quipping that “daddy’s tired,” he added, “I can’t do everything.”

Billy Porter made a grand entrance at the 2019 Met Gala, which had a “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme. He dressed as an Egyptian god, sporting a dazzling all-gold outfit with wings and an elaborate chain headdress. To complete the spectacle, he was carried onto the red carpet on a platform by six men wearing gold pants.

Ryan Murphy suggested I recreate all five of Diana Ross’s iconic looks from the film Mahogany. I initially thought it would be a huge undertaking, but that conversation sparked the idea to do an Egyptian-themed look instead.

Billy complimented the event’s theme, explaining that ‘camp’ represents embracing over-the-top expression at its best. He was happy to help redefine the word with a positive meaning, as it had been used negatively for a long time.

Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, read on to see which celebrities attended last year’s event.