Naomi Campbell, the renowned supermodel, has announced that she will no longer attend the Met Gala, citing her age and the anxiety the event causes her. The 54-year-old made this revelation in a new video released just a week ahead of the 2024 Met Gala, which took place on 5 May. Speaking in an episode of her YouTube series Being Naomi, Campbell said, "This is my last Met. It is my last. I can't... I'm too old. It's too much for me, the anxiety." She added that she was unsure whether this would be her 20th or 21st Met Gala appearance.
The Met Gala, also known formally as the Costume Institute Benefit, is an annual fundraising event held for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in Manhattan. Chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, it is considered the most prestigious and glamorous fashion event worldwide. Each year the Gala follows a specific theme; the 2024 event was titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, celebrating the revival and preservation of historical garments through contemporary creativity.
During her latest Met Gala appearance, Campbell stood out on the red carpet wearing a stunning turquoise gown by Burberry, a fashion house with which she has had a long-standing association. Despite the themed nature of the event, Naomi disclosed that she prefers not to adhere strictly to the designated themes, saying, "I don't follow themes, sorry. I just flow." For this occasion, she chose a dazzling silver archival gown from Burberry, her way of playing by her own rules.
The model's history with the event dates back decades; she was first spotted at the Met Gala, then known as the Costume Institute Gala, in 1990. Over the years, she has become a consistent presence on the red carpet, solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
Looking ahead, the next Met Gala, scheduled for the first Monday in May 2025, will focus on the theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, continuing the tradition of exploring unique and meaningful concepts in fashion.
Outside of her professional engagements, Naomi Campbell has been embracing motherhood, having welcomed her second child, a son, in 2023. She previously announced the birth of her daughter in 2021. True to her private nature, Campbell maintains confidentiality regarding her children’s identities.
In a related note, recent revelations from actor Jason Isaacs, known for his role in The White Lotus, highlighted the supermodel's challenges with anxiety and physical health. Isaacs shared that he gave Naomi a pep talk to support her before she walked in the Burberry show during London Fashion Week in February 2024, following a knee injury that had kept her off the runway for four months.
Naomi Campbell's announcement marks the end of an era for one of fashion’s most enduring figures at the Met Gala, representing a personal decision shaped by her experiences with age and anxiety associated with the event.
Source: Noah Wire Services