Last night’s fashion world buzz wasn’t about who walked the Met Gala carpet—it was about who didn’t.

Naomi Campbell, the legendary supermodel, was notably absent, and despite her claims of simply “getting too old for the Met,” there’s more to the story. Word on the fashion streets is that Naomi may have actually been banned from the event, and it all traces back to a clash with the queen of Vogue herself, Anna Wintour.

Let’s rewind to 2024, when Naomi was honored with a prestigious fashion icon award. Anna Wintour was supposed to present it, but when she took the stage, she shaded Naomi by calling her “someone who’s often late.” It was a thinly veiled dig, and Naomi, always the queen of graceful shade, didn’t let it go unnoticed.

When she accepted her award, she referred to Anna as “the other lady” and said she would have preferred the Harper’s Bazaar editor to hand her the honor. The room caught the tension, and Anna’s polite smile couldn’t hide her true feelings.

Insiders say that moment cost Naomi her invite to the 2025 Met Gala. Anna Wintour is famous for running a tight ship, and if you cross her, you risk being cut off from the most exclusive events in fashion.

Naomi tried to play it cool, saying she was “too old” for the Met anyway, but many saw this as the classic “I didn’t want to go to that party” move after not making the guest list.

Of course, Naomi’s history of drama is legendary. From lawsuits over allegedly throwing phones at assistants to showing up for community service in head-to-toe designer looks, Naomi’s life has always been as dramatic as any runway show.

She’s been involved in infamous scandals, like the blood diamond trial, and is known for both her fierce loyalty and her fiery temper.

But let’s not forget why Naomi is an icon. Alongside Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Claudia Schiffer, she defined the supermodel era.

She broke barriers as the first Black woman on the covers of French Vogue, Time, and Russian Vogue, paving the way for future generations. Naomi’s runway walk is legendary, her resume unmatched—Versace, Chanel, Dior, Mugler, and more. She’s also a philanthropist, founding Fashion for Relief and raising millions for humanitarian causes.

At over 50, Naomi is still stunning, still working, and recently became a mother for the second time. Her absence from the Met Gala isn’t a loss for her—it’s a loss for the event. The Met may have its rules, but Naomi Campbell is fashion royalty.

She can turn any sidewalk into a runway, and her influence is woven into the very fabric of the industry.

In the end, maybe Anna Wintour wanted a drama-free night, but without Naomi, the Met Gala lost a bit of its real glamour. Naomi remains the blueprint—unapologetic, iconic, and untouchable. You may ban her from a party, but you can’t ban her from the culture.