The Met Gala is an eagerly awaited annual event in fashion and entertainment. Each year, a theme is chosen to inspire the glamorous gathering.
The 2023 Met Gala focused on paying homage to the iconic German Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.
Notably absent from the event was Blake Lively, best known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit TV show “Gossip Girl.” Over the years, Lively has been a regular attendee at the Met Gala, making her absence even more striking.
Rumors circulated that Chanel executives may not have wanted Lively to represent the brand. Still, the actress clarified in an interview with People that her absence was due to family commitments. Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, recently welcomed their fourth child, which likely explains her decision not to attend.
Though Lively did not attend the Met Gala 2023, she still found a way to engage with the event from afar. On Instagram, she shared a selfie of herself pumping breast milk in a restroom, dressed in a purple sweater and jeans.
Her caption, accompanied by breast milk GIFs, read “First Monday in May,” signaling that she was participating in her way.
Lively’s choice to prioritize her family over the Met Gala is a refreshing example of a celebrity stepping away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. However, fans of her red carpet looks will no doubt eagerly await her return to the Met Gala in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Lively has kept busy with other engagements. She made her post-baby red carpet comeback at Barnard College’s Annual Gala last month, stunning in a bright Carolina Herrera dress. She also turned heads at reopening Tiffany & Co.’s New York City flagship store, donning a daring leather Brandon Maxwell ensemble.
Lively’s absence from the 2023 Met Gala serves as a reminder that celebrities, too, have personal lives beyond their professional careers, and it’s crucial to acknowledge and respect their decisions to prioritize family and well-being.
