Why Taylor Swift Skipped the Met Gala in 2023
While Taylor Swift has been spotted out in New York City in between her tour dates following news of her breakup from Joe Alwyn, she skipped one of fashion’s biggest nights of the year. The singer was not at the Met Gala this evening on the Upper East Side. Her absence is understandable, as she just played three shows in Atlanta, Georgia for her Eras tour, including one last night. E! confirmed her absence and reported that Swift is spending the evening preparing for her Nashville shows this upcoming weekend.
Swift reflected on her Atlanta performances on her Instagram today. She wrote, “WOW Atlanta just… wow. The band, dancers, and I can’t stop talking about how insanely magical it was playing for you guys the past 3 nights. You were always bouncing, dancing, screaming every lyric. And you created so many breathtaking moments for us, you know what I mean. Looove yooouuu. Hey Nashville you’re NEXT 💜”
Swift’s past Met Gala appearances have ties to her dating history. Her attendance in 2016 kicked off her whirlwind Tom Hiddleston romance, which she sung about in her Reputation song “Getaway Car.” She also hinted in her lyrics that she met her most recent ex, Joe Alwyn, at that event, although they wouldn’t start dating until that fall.
That was her last time attending the Met Gala.
Swift’s skipping this year comes as the singer returns to the public eye after spending the last couple years largely out of the spotlight. She made headlines when she revived her squad, for example, for a late April outing following her breakup. Swift, Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively, and the Haim sisters were all photographed going out to Zero Bond at the time.
A source told Us Weekly around the same time that Swift is enjoying being single. “Taylor is handling the breakup really well and she’s feeling very optimistic about her future,” a source said. “She truly believes whatever is meant to be, will be, and knows everything happens for a reason.”
“[She is still] adjusting to the single life,” the source added. “She isn’t dating anybody and isn’t even thinking about getting into another relationship anytime soon.”
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.