Nicole Scherzinger, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and current star of the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, was notably absent from Vogue's extensive photo roundup of the Met Gala 2025. This omission follows the backlash she faced last year regarding her support for a MAGA-style hat, which has been interpreted by some as an indication of her political leanings.
The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcased a plethora of celebrities, but Scherzinger's absence from the 306 photos featured in the collection titled "See Every Look from the Met Gala 2025 Red Carpet Last Night" has sparked considerable speculation. The singer was dressed in an exquisite white gown designed by Prabal Gurung, complete with sparkling pinstripes and a dramatic black cape, which marked her debut appearance at the prestigious event.
Despite receiving critical acclaim for her portrayal of fading film star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, which has earned her a Tony nomination, Scherzinger was overlooked in Vogue's feature. The publication has previously showcased her work but has seemingly shifted its stance since revelations about her conservative viewpoints emerged. Her exclusion has drawn comparisons to past incidents, such as when Kim Kardashian was intentionally cropped out of a Met Gala photo in 2013 during a time when she was viewed unfavorably by Vogue's editorial team.
Scherzinger has been in the spotlight recently not only for her performance on Broadway but also for her controversial social media interactions. In November 2024, she attracted criticism for expressing enthusiasm for a "Make Jesus Great Again" cap worn by comedian Russell Brand. Her social media engagement included a comment, "Where do I get this hat!!!!?" accompanied by praying and heart emojis, which led to allegations of her conservative alignment.
Following the backlash, Scherzinger issued a perplexing statement in which she apologised for any misunderstanding her comments may have caused, stating, "When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing that they could be easily interpreted as being politically related." However, she did not clarify her voting preferences or explicitly deny any affiliation with MAGA ideologies.
In contrast, Vogue's gallery highlighted other attendees, including Scherzinger's co-star Tom Francis, who also received a Tony nomination, as well as Anna Wintour's daughter, Bee Carrozzini. Wintour herself, a noted figure in Democratic circles and a long-time supporter of liberal causes, has previously faced scrutiny for her editorial decisions and the potential political biases within her publication.
Scherzinger's political views have evolved over time; she endorsed Barack Obama's 2008 campaign through a collaboration on the song "Yes We Can." Recently, she has faced questions regarding her political stance due to her support for various conservative figures, including former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom she praised during his appearance on The Masked Singer.
With the Tony Awards approaching, where Sunset Boulevard has garnered seven nominations, including one for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Scherzinger's portrayal of Norma Desmond, her future in the spotlight remains uncertain, particularly with the continued scrutiny of her political affiliations and their impact on her public image.
Source: Noah Wire Services