Is the Met Gala curse for real?

With the Met Gala 2026 almost here, discussions around the infamous Met Gala curse have resurfaced on the internet. Here's what this "curse" is all about.

In the Met Gala’s grand scheme of things, there’s a curse that lingers. At least, that’s what the rumour is.

Yes, a curse. The Met Gala curse. Everyone has heard about it, but no one really talks about it. Some dread it, some have experienced it (if it is true at all?), and some are simply, and fashionably, oblivious to it.

It’s not for everyone, just for the lovebirds.

What is the Met Gala curse?

For the unversed, the Met Gala curse is much like a cheeky internet folklore that resurfaces every year right about this time. But what exactly is this curse? Well, if a celebrity couple makes their red carpet debut, or just comes together at the fashion’s biggest night, their romance might not survive long after. (We heard the “ooohhs”)

Some even say meeting at the gala - or its after-partie - —isn’t exactly a lucky start, or even just appearing. Of course, there’s no science to it, but given how many high-profile splits seem to follow a joint Met appearance, the theory has just enough drama to keep people talking.

Anybody hurt?

Ummm...well, post the Met Ball appearances, a few hearts have been broken, is what the internet believes.

In 2016, Bella Hadid and Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, attended the Met Gala together. Soon after, they split up but continued an on-and-off relationship that finally ended in 2019.

Well... the following year, the singer made a couples debut with Selena Gomez on the red carpet. While there was some really cute PDA for the fans to go awww, soon after the couple called it quits.

Hailey Bieber and Shawn Mendes were never officially confirmed as a couple but walked the Met Gala together in 2018, shortly before going their separate ways. That’s as per the grapevine.

Tesla founder Elon Musk and Claire Boucher (Grimes) made their debut at the Met Gala in 2018 and reportedly had an on-and-off relationship. They have three children together, but they parted ways around 2021–2022.

The Kardashians are Met Gala veterans now. Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson were officially dating when they walked the gala carpet in 2022. The two split up just a few months after.

Still piping hot: Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan took their romance from rumour to real, posed together at the Met Gala 2024, and broke up soon after. The internet is still not over it.

If rumours are to be believed, Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston met at the gala party too, and the rest is history.

Well, these are just a few timelines that roughly add up to the alleged Met Gala curse maths. Curse, or maybe pure coincidence.

Contradicting this curse are power couples like Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky.

The Met Gala curse, of course, is a mere speculation that people on the internet love discussing around the time for the fashion's biggest night.

We are just hours away from Met Monday, and this year the dress code is “Fashion is Art,” and the anticipation of who will wear what is through the roof. Isha Ambani has already made an appearance for Vogue’s pre-Met Gala party this year, weaving in an Indian story, and the guest list is super coveted too.

Stay tuned for the red carpet!

- Ends