Why Priyanka Chopra Will Skip the Met Gala 2026: A Focus on Varanasi and the Gold Gala

Priyanka Chopra will not attend the Met Gala 2026 as she focuses on filming the Telugu movie Varanasi. Instead, she will be honored at the Gold House Gold Gala in Los Angeles, where she will receive the Global Vanguard award for her significant contributions to entertainment. This marks a notable absence for Chopra, who has been a regular at the Met Gala since 2017. The Gold Gala will also celebrate other distinguished figures, emphasizing the importance of Asian and South Asian representation in the industry. Chopra's busy schedule reflects her commitment to her craft and her ongoing impact on global cinema.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 3, 2026, 21:29 IST

Priyanka Chopra's Absence from Met Gala 2026

Priyanka Chopra will not be attending the Met Gala 2026, as she is currently busy filming the Telugu movie Varanasi. Fans will miss her presence on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 4, but she is set to be honored at the Gold House Gold Gala in Los Angeles on May 9, 2026. Her commitment to the film has taken priority, which means she will miss this highly anticipated fashion event.

This marks a significant change for Chopra, who has been a regular at the Met Gala since 2017. Over the years, she has established herself as a prominent Indian figure on the Met Gala red carpet, making her absence this year particularly noteworthy for her fans. Despite earlier rumors suggesting she might attend, it has now been confirmed that she will not be present.

Attention will soon turn to the Gold Gala, where Chopra is set to receive the Global Vanguard award, celebrating her impressive 25-year career and her influence in both Asian Pacific and Western entertainment. This award also highlights her dedication to improving South Asian representation in global media. Remarkably, this will be her second consecutive year receiving this accolade at the Gold Gala, organized by Gold House.

At the Gold Gala, Chopra will be joined by other esteemed honorees such as Jet Li, Eileen Gu, Charles Melton, and Simu Liu. The event's theme, "A New Gold World," emphasizes the significant contributions of these individuals in promoting Asian and South Asian visibility worldwide.

Chopra's decision to focus on Varanasi illustrates a busy chapter in her career. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli, this Telugu-language epic fantasy film marks her debut in Telugu cinema, alongside Mahesh Babu. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on Ram Navami 2027, and her collaboration with Rajamouli has generated considerable excitement. Since her first appearance at the Met Gala in 2017, Chopra's fashion choices have captivated audiences globally, but this year, her attention will be on Varanasi and the upcoming recognition at the Gold Gala.