The 2025 Met Gala, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was the talk of the town with its star-studded guest list and jaw-dropping fashion moments. But one name conspicuously absent from the red carpet was Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who has been making headlines for her role in Disney’s Snow White and her upcoming West End debut in Evita. Rumors swirled that Zegler was “removed” from the event, sparking a firestorm of speculation online. So, what’s the real story behind her absence? Let’s dive in. 🕵️‍♀️

The Met Gala Buzz: Why Was Rachel Zegler Missing?

The Met Gala, often dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion,” is one of the most exclusive events in the world, with tickets costing $75,000 and invitations personally approved by Vogue’s Anna Wintour. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrated Black dandyism through history, and the event was co-chaired by luminaries like Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and honorary chair LeBron James. Stars like Zendaya, Bad Bunny, and Jennifer Lopez dazzled on the red carpet, but fans quickly noticed that Zegler, who had attended in 2021 and 2024, was nowhere to be seen. 👗

Social media erupted with theories. Some posts on X claimed Zegler had been “kicked out” due to her controversial statements surrounding Snow White, which flopped at the box office earlier this year, earning just $148.7 million globally against a reported $350 million budget. Others speculated that her vocal support for Palestine, which had stirred backlash, might have led to her being uninvited. A YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler KICKED OUT of Met Gala 2025 – You Won’t Believe Why!” fueled the drama, amassing thousands of views with claims of a dramatic escort out of the event. But was there any truth to these rumors? 📹

The Real Reason: Professional Commitments, Not Drama

Despite the online frenzy, the truth behind Zegler’s absence is far less scandalous. According to multiple sources, including Page Six and Cosmopolitan, Zegler was indeed invited to the 2025 Met Gala—a testament to her rising star power despite the Snow White controversy. However, she couldn’t attend due to prior professional commitments. Her representative confirmed that Zegler was in London throughout May, deeply immersed in rehearsals for her starring role as Eva Perón in a West End production of Evita, set to open on June 14 at the London Palladium. 🎭

“Rachel will be in rehearsals for Evita in London in May,” her rep stated, as reported by Page Six. The musical, directed by Jamie Lloyd, runs for 12 weeks through September 6, and Zegler has expressed her excitement for the role, noting its personal significance. “Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ together on my back patio,” she told Deadline. Lloyd himself praised her, saying, “She’s going to blow the roof off the London Palladium.”

This isn’t the first time Zegler has prioritized her craft over a high-profile event, and it likely won’t be the last. At 24, the actress has made it clear she’s focused on building a career that balances her love for storytelling with her personal values. In a March 2025 interview with Allure, she spoke about seeking balance in her career: “I want a family, but I also want to work until I die. I love telling stories.” Her decision to skip the Met Gala for Evita rehearsals aligns with that vision. 🌟

The Snow White Controversy: A Backdrop to the Rumors

While Zegler’s absence was purely logistical, the rumors of her being “removed” from the Met Gala stem from the ongoing fallout of her role in Disney’s Snow White. The live-action remake, released on March 21, 2025, faced significant backlash even before its debut. Zegler’s casting as Snow White, a character traditionally depicted as “snow white” in the 1937 animated classic, drew racist criticism from some conservative fans due to her Latina heritage. The controversy deepened when Zegler called the original story “weird” and criticized its lack of feminist themes, comments that didn’t sit well with traditional Disney fans.

The situation escalated when Zegler tweeted “Free Palestine” in response to a Disney promo, a move that reportedly led to internal discussions at Disney and increased security for her co-star Gal Gadot. According to Variety, producer Marc Platt even flew to New York to address Zegler’s comments, and the film’s premiere was scaled down to a press-free event. Snow White ultimately flopped, earning a 40% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a dismal 1.6/10 on IMDb from over 316,000 ratings. Some blamed Zegler’s outspokenness for the film’s failure, turning her into a scapegoat in the eyes of Disney insiders and certain fans. 🎬

Yet, Zegler has also garnered significant support. Many fans on social media have praised her courage, with film critic David Ehrlich posting on X, “Rachel Zegler RULES and so obviously has a lifetime of incredible roles & performances ahead of her.” Others see her as a victim of cultural wars, with the BBC noting that her Latina casting and political views made her a target for unfair criticism. Her Met Gala invite, despite the backlash, suggests that Anna Wintour and the fashion world still see her as a rising star worth celebrating. 🌍

Why the “Removal” Rumors Don’t Hold Up

The idea that Zegler was “removed” from the Met Gala doesn’t align with the facts. For one, her invitation alone is a sign of her continued relevance in the entertainment and fashion spheres—invitations are notoriously hard to come by, and Wintour personally approves each one. Zegler’s previous Met Gala appearances in 2021 (in a gold-patterned Dior haute couture dress) and 2024 (in an ice-blue Michael Kors gown) were well-received, with Vogue describing her 2024 look as a “fairy tale” moment that channeled a “water princess.” If Wintour had any issues with Zegler, it’s unlikely she would have been invited in the first place. 👑

Moreover, Zegler isn’t the only star who skipped the 2025 Met Gala. High-profile names like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who are embroiled in a legal dispute with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, also passed on the event, as did new parents Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente. Their absences, like Zegler’s, were attributed to personal or professional commitments, not drama. The Met Gala, while glamorous, is often a “work event” for celebrities, as a Reddit user on r/Fauxmoi pointed out in 2024, defending stars who attend despite global issues like the war in Palestine. For Zegler, choosing to focus on Evita over a red-carpet appearance reflects her priorities as an artist, not a sign of being “banned.” 🎟️

What’s Next for Rachel Zegler?

While the Met Gala rumors may have stirred the pot, Zegler’s career is far from slowing down. Her role in Evita is already generating buzz, with director Jamie Lloyd predicting a groundbreaking performance. Beyond that, Zegler’s resilience in the face of adversity has only strengthened her fanbase. Despite the Snow White flop, her performance received positive reviews, with many critics noting her vocal talent and screen presence as highlights of the film. 🎤

Zegler’s absence from the Met Gala hasn’t dimmed her star power—it’s only highlighted her dedication to her craft. As she continues to navigate the highs and lows of Hollywood, one thing is clear: Rachel Zegler is here to stay, and her story is far from over. Whether she’s belting out “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” on the West End stage or dazzling at a future Met Gala, this young actress is carving out a legacy that’s all her own. 🌟