Seventeen years ago, legendary actress Jennifer Garner attended her first Met Gala.
She was 35 years, married to Ben Affleck, and one of the most well-known names in Hollywood. Garner stunned in a red Valentino gown.
But after making her first Met Gala appearance, she never returned. And it’s not because she broke any of the Gala rules, or because she was never extended another invite.
In fact, Garner has revealed that the decision to not attend another Met Gala was one she made on her own.
While talking with Vogue in February, Garner admitted, while getting ready for the day, that she doesn’t attend the Met Gala because it scares her.
“I went to the Met Ball exactly one time. I found it a little scary so I haven’t been back,” she explained to Vogue.
But despite finding it unnerving, that doesn’t mean Garner doesn’t have any fond memories from that time. As she continued, that gorgeous red gown she wore is something she will always remember.
“But I wore that night, this magical red Valentino gown and I was [Valentino’s] date and that was really majestic and special,” she added.
It’s unclear if Garner will ever make the decision to return to the Gala at least one more time.
This year, the Met Gala is celebrating its Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibit which is an ode to nature, and pays tribute to the “natural world,” according to Vogue. The Gala is also pulling inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s short story from 1962 titled The Garden of Time.
The Garden of Time can be interpreted many different ways. But there is some consensus that Ballard’s short story is a metaphor for the importance of preserving history and the affect time has on the past.
Tonight, May 6, the Met will hold its annual Gala which began in 1948. This year it is hosted by Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth.
It’s likely that tonight we will see an array of fashion looks celebrated in years past, with touches of floral and natural elements intertwined.