No Travis or Taylor at Met Gala, but Chappell Roan, Janelle Monáe rep MO & KCK

In the 20 or so months since Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce began dating superstar singer Taylor Swift, they’ve both strolled down a red carpet at a swanky event.

Not together, though. Fans of the celebrity couple had hoped it would happen Monday night at the Met Gala, but Kelce and Swift weren’t there.

TMZ reported the world-famous couple received an invitation to fashion’s biggest night but couldn’t make it because of scheduling conflicts.

Even though they were no-shows, Missouri and the Kansas City area were well-represented on the famous blue carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Springfield native Chappell Roan and Janelle Monáe from KCK both wowed fashion reviewers.

Of course they did.

The night’s theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” honoring menswear, specifically Black dandyism, and the historical and cultural importance of Black style and its influence on fashion.

The first to walk the carpet, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, told reporters the exhibit of the same theme opening this weekend at the Met’s Costume Institute has been years in the making.

But in the current racially charged, politically divisive climate, it’s “taken on a new sense of importance and purpose,” she said, a sentiment spoken by many of the celebrities who appeared.

The “best result,” Wintour said, is for many people to see the exhibit, which has been extended through October because of high interest.

Roan made her Met Gala debut Monday. Elle declared: “Chappell Roan brought the Pink Pony Club to the 2025 Met Gala.”

She wore a glittery pink suit — jacket and matching bell bottoms — featuring a patchwork pattern. A giant matching coat trimmed with glittering fur trailed behind her.

She wore her hair large and in charge in huge, Rapunzel-like curls. Her makeup? Bold as always, with silver eye shadow, glittery eyebrows and pink face paint.

Chappell works with stylist Genesis Webb, who recently told Harper’s Bazaar how their partnership works.

“She brings the element of glam drag, and then I bring an element of more punk club kid,” he said. “Personally, I like a lot of black, but then there are designers who have recently taken over my brain, like Viktor & Rolf or Thom Browne.

“I love that Chappell World is opening me up to, like, ‘Oh, we can do a little color, we can add more, take more risks.’ And I’ve just gained a huge appreciation for the campy theatrical aspect not being so dark, like McQueen.”

Unlike newbie Roan, Monáe is a Met Gala veteran and did not disappoint, though she (and Roan) kept fans waiting anxiously until near the end of the red carpet parade to show up.

A-listers tend to do that.

Two years ago Monáe created one of the gala’s most memorable moments in a see-through, cage-like skirt that she lifted to reveal a black Chanel bikini.

She turned to the designer of that look this year, though she was more covered up. She embraced the Black dandyism theme in a costume with shoulders so exaggerated they likely forced her to walk sideways through doorways.

She collaborated with fashion designer Thom Browne — who created her 2023 ensemble — and “Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell, who earlier this year became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design.

She told The Associated Press before the gala the look honored her ancestors and dandy-dressing family members.

Attendance at this year’s event seemed to feature more athletes than previous years. While many of the Hollywood celebs opted for costumes or large clothing (looking at you, Walton Coggins), Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went with a classic look.

But he didn’t have any big rings, either. (Yeah, that’s a wink to Chiefs fans.)

Tennis legend Serena Williams, whose arrival was delayed, made up for the lost time by wearing one of the biggest dresses of the night.

Kelce skipping the event meant he didn’t risk any sort of embarrassing run-in with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was there with his wife, Bry Rivera.

The QB turned heads with his hat and, for what it’s worth, this NFL couple had a super look.

The Star’s Pete Grathoff contributed to this story

This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM.