Taking a slight detour, the attention on the Met Gala has shifted to an unlikely source. Amidst the rumors that Spider-Man actress Zendaya might not attend the event, her close friend and stylist Law Roach has made a striking comment. By claiming that the night will be “about him,” Roach has added a new layer of interest, shifting the focus to his role and presence at the 2026 gala. 

Roach’s comment has raised questions about Zendaya’s priorities and his reason behind skipping the gala. 

According to Zendaya’s close friend and stylist, Law Roach, the focus for the 2026 Met Gala will be his own creative vision, following the reports suggesting that Zendaya may skip this year’s event. As speculation rises around her potential absence, Roach has made it known that he will be attending the event, sans a Hollywood muse. He will be the subject of his own Image Architecture this year. The designer expressed his joy over being left to take up the limelight. 

“It’s one of the first times in my career that going to the Met is about me,” he told ELLE. 

He also talked about the usual way he gets his clients ready for big events like the Met Gala. Addressing the same, he wrote on a Reddit’s “Ask Me Anything” forum on April 30, 

“It usually starts 5 months in advance.. It all starts with what the designer says the client is going with. Once that's figured out, we just have a conversation about inspiration, and then I take it back to my team," he answered. Taking up the cumbersome process to implement on himself this year, Roach revealed his armor for the night will be a white three-piece suit by French designer Alexandre Mattiussi. 

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Despite Roach's solo triumph, there are obvious questions surrounding Zendaya’s upcoming absence. 

Zendaya is reportedly taking a break from the Met Gala spotlight after doing two press tours almost simultaneously for The Drama and Euphoria season 3. ELLE has learned that the actress will not be attending the New York City event on Monday. 

However, one set of rumors suggests that high-profile stars like Zendaya and Meryl Streep are reportedly not attending the event due to the criticism centered around Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez. The pair were named key donors and honorary co-chairs of the event. They have also been accused of purchasing their invites. 

Their involvement has led to a backlash on social media, with celebrities calling for a boycott. Additionally, “Boycott the Bezos Met Ball” has been trending as well. For context, Bezos’ involvement has spurred backlash over corporate influence and wealth inequality. It has also targeted his sponsorship of the Met Gala and connections to political figures, accusing him of prioritizing corporate power over labor rights.

Amazon has been further accused of hurting small firms and creating a “culture of greed” that prioritizes profits over people by the activists. Zendaya's rumored absence reflects professional commitments and a larger issue around this year's event. Maybe her busy schedule has something to do with it, but it also comes at a time when the Met Gala is under more criticism than ever, darkening despite Law Roach's independent attendance. 

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What do you think of Law Roach's solo Met Gala moment? Let us know in the comments.