Nicki Minaj Left Off 2026 Met Gala Guest List Amid Political Controversy and Industry Tensions

Nicki Minaj is reportedly not expected to attend the 2026 Met Gala, scheduled for May 4, although there has been no official confirmation that she was formally banned from the event. Multiple entertainment and fashion industry sources suggest she has effectively been left off the guest list amid ongoing controversy.

According to these reports, the situation stems from a combination of political and industry-related tensions that have developed over recent months.

One major factor is Minaj’s recent political alignment. In late 2025, she appeared at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she publicly praised President Donald Trump and political figure JD Vance. In early 2026, she further drew attention by referring to herself as Trump’s “number one fan” during an appearance at a U.S. Treasury Department event. These statements marked a notable shift in her public positioning and sparked significant backlash.

Industry insiders indicate that her outspoken views—particularly on politically sensitive issues such as transgender healthcare for minors—have contributed to what some describe as a broader “freeze-out” within parts of the entertainment and fashion communities. One source characterized the reaction as a reluctance among influential figures to associate with highly polarizing positions.

Additional tension has reportedly come from Minaj’s ongoing dispute with Roc Nation and its leadership, including JAY-Z. The conflict, which has played out publicly through legal and social channels, is seen by some as further complicating her standing with event organizers and potential collaborators.

The Met Gala, organized annually by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, is one of the fashion industry’s most high-profile events, with invitations tightly controlled. This year’s theme, “Costume Art,” focuses on fashion as a sculptural and embodied art form. The 2026 event is being curated by Wintour alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.

Minaj last attended the Met Gala in 2025, wearing a custom Thom Browne design.

Despite reports of her absence this year, she has remained active on social media, where she has defended her political views and characterized the criticism she faces as unfair, comparing it to what she describes as similar treatment of Donald Trump.