Kai Cenat Explains Why He Turned Down the 2025 Met Gala Invitation

While celebrities like Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, and André 3000 turned heads at this year’s Met Gala, popular streamer Kai Cenat had a different story to tell , one that ended with him skipping the high-profile event altogether.

During a recent livestream, Cenat, a New York City native, revealed that he had been offered a golden opportunity to attend the 2025 Met Gala but chose to turn it down. The reason? He wasn’t comfortable being associated with the brand that had extended the invitation.

“I had an opportunity to go to the Met Gala, chat,” Cenat told his audience. “But I didn’t go because, I’m not gonna lie, the brand that wanted to host me… I didn’t really, like, wanna do that brand.”

Cenat didn’t name the brand publicly. However, according to Complex, he did attend an afterparty thrown by one of the evening’s co-chairs — none other than Pharrell Williams.

Even though he skipped the main event, Cenat made the night his own. He took his camera along, livestreaming for about an hour and capturing moments with other attendees. Along the way, he mingled with big names, including the team from Mattel and Jacob Arabo, the founder of Jacob & Co. He even got a brief introduction to Pharrell’s son, Rocket.

The 2025 Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, celebrated the artistry, heritage, and evolution of Black dandyism, making Cenat’s absence even more noticeable given his rising influence.

Still, it’s easy to see why Cenat fits effortlessly into that elite circle. Named one of Forbes’ Top Black Influencers in 2024, Cenat ranked No. 24 on the Forbes Top Creators List, boasting an estimated $8.5 million in earnings and a massive following of nearly 50 million across social media platforms.

And while the Met Gala is often seen as a ticket to cultural clout, Cenat’s decision proves he’s moving at his own pace, on his own terms.