Priyanka Chopra To Skip Met Galal 2026? Here's What We Know

Priyanka Chopra is expected to miss the Met Gala 2026 as shooting for the Telugu film Varanasi continues. While fans may not see Priyanka Chopra on the famous steps on May 4, the actor will be honoured at the Gold House Gold Gala in Los Angeles on May 9, 2026.

According to Variety India, Priyanka Chopra will skip the Met Gala 2026 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York because of prior filming commitments. Varanasi remains the focus, with production keeping Priyanka Chopra away from what is often described as fashion’s biggest annual event.

Priyanka Chopra Met Gala 2026 absence and Gold Gala recognition

The decision means Priyanka Chopra breaks a steady run of Met Gala appearances that started in 2017. Over several years, Priyanka Chopra became one of the most visible Indian names on the Met Gala red carpet, so the absence on the first Monday of May will mark a clear change for followers.

Despite speculation that Priyanka Chopra might still appear at the Met Gala 2026, reports now state that attendance is off the table. However, attention will shift days later to the Music Centre in Los Angeles, where Priyanka Chopra will receive the Global Vanguard award at the Gold Gala on May 9.

Priyanka Chopra Met Gala 2026 context and Gold Gala details

The Global Vanguard award recognises Priyanka Chopra’s 25-year career and cultural influence across Asia Pacific and Western entertainment. The honour also highlights work to expand South Asian representation on global screens. Priyanka Chopra will receive this Global Vanguard recognition for the second consecutive year at the Gold House-organised Gold Gala event.

Priyanka Chopra will share the Gold Gala spotlight with other Gold honourees Jet Li, Eileen Gu, Charles Melton, and Simu Liu. Organisers have set the theme as “A New Gold World”. The event places Priyanka Chopra among a group credited with shaping conversations about Asian and South Asian visibility worldwide.

Priyanka Chopra Met Gala 2026 break and Varanasi film commitments

The choice to prioritise Varanasi reflects a busy phase in Priyanka Chopra’s schedule. The upcoming Telugu-language epic fantasy science fiction action-adventure is directed by S. S. Rajamouli, with the screenplay co-written by V. Vijayendra Prasad. Production houses Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business are backing the large-scale project.

Varanasi marks Priyanka Chopra’s debut in Telugu cinema and casts Priyanka Chopra opposite Mahesh Babu in lead roles. The film is slated for a theatrical release on Ram Navami 2027. The combination of a new language debut and a major collaboration with S. S. Rajamouli has placed additional attention on Priyanka Chopra’s current shoot.

Priyanka Chopra first appeared at the Met Gala in 2017, wearing Ralph Lauren and arriving with Nick Jonas. Since then, each Met Gala outfit has drawn strong interest from Indian and international fans. The focus this year shifts away from the Met Gala carpet towards Varanasi and the Gold Gala recognition in Los Angeles.