Gwyneth Paltrow Reflects on Her 'Love-Hate' Relationship with Met Gala

The actress says she's "always going to be an evening dress person" and won't wear "costume" looks to the annual fashion event.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:07pm

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In a recent Goop article, Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, shared her thoughts on the Met Gala, saying she has a "love-hate relationship" with the annual fashion event. Paltrow discussed her favorite red carpet looks from the gala, including her 2019 yellow chiffon Chloé gown. She criticized those who wear "costume" looks to the event, saying "I'm never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know? I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I'm not going in a costume; I'm going in a dress." Paltrow famously slammed the Met Gala in 2013, saying "I'm never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all." However, she returned to the event in 2017 and last attended in 2019.

Why it matters

Paltrow's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the Met Gala's annual theme and the expectations placed on celebrities to dress accordingly. Her preference for "evening dress" looks over "costume" attire reflects a more traditional approach to red carpet fashion that contrasts with the event's reputation for extravagant, theme-driven outfits.

The details

In the Goop article, Paltrow discussed two of her Met Gala looks - the yellow chiffon Chloé gown she wore in 2019 and the blue satin Prada minidress from 2012. She said she "loved" working with the female designer Natacha Ramsay-Levi on the 2019 look, which she felt captured the "Valley of the Dolls" theme. However, Paltrow criticized those who wear "costume" looks, saying "I'm never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know? I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I'm not going in a costume; I'm going in a dress." Paltrow famously slammed the Met Gala in 2013, but she returned to the event in 2017 and last attended in 2019.

  • Paltrow's comments were included in a Goop article published on March 10, 2026.
  • Paltrow famously slammed the Met Gala in 2013.
  • Paltrow returned to the Met Gala in 2017 and last attended in 2019.

The players

Gwyneth Paltrow

A 53-year-old actress and businesswoman who has a "love-hate relationship" with the Met Gala.

Natacha Ramsay-Levi

The female designer of the yellow chiffon Chloé gown Paltrow wore to the 2019 Met Gala.

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What they’re saying

“I really loved Natacha [Ramsay-Levi] and what she was doing, and I love when you get to work with a woman designer. And I thought this was such a great take on the Valley of the Dolls theme.”

— Gwyneth Paltrow

“I'm never going to the Met Ball in like, a hot dog costume or whatever, you know? I always have to be myself, first and foremost. Like, I'm not going in a costume; I'm going in a dress.”

— Gwyneth Paltrow

The takeaway

Paltrow's comments reflect an ongoing debate around the Met Gala's annual themes and the expectations placed on celebrities to dress accordingly. Her preference for "evening dress" looks over "costume" attire highlights a more traditional approach to red carpet fashion that contrasts with the event's reputation for extravagant, theme-driven outfits.