The fashion world is buzzing after the Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled its star-studded list of co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala. But according to one insider, the announcement landed harder than expected for Kim Kardashian. While the reveal was met with celebration across the industry, a source claims Kardashian was left deeply disappointed by the final lineup.
Kim Kardashian ‘gutted’ in huge Met Gala blow as Beyonce returns as co-chair, says source
Fashion insiders claim Kim Kardashian had quietly grown confident she would be elevated from perennial headline-making guest to official Met Gala co-chair in 2026. According to a source cited by Rob Shuter, the reality TV star allegedly felt “closer than ever” to securing the role after years of building credibility within high fashion and maintaining close ties to influential figures connected to the event.
One insider alleged Kardashian believed the timing was right, especially with longtime friend Lauren Sánchez Bezos said to be encouraging her. “Kim thought the door was wide open,” the source claimed. They added that she was already envisioning the moment and the fashion statement that would come with it. That confidence reportedly shifted once the official announcement landed.
Vogue confirmed that Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams will serve as co-chairs alongside longtime Met Gala overseer Anna Wintour. Beyoncé’s return, in particular, appears to have changed the equation entirely. According to one fashion observer, once Beyoncé agreed to participate, the decision became “historic,” leaving little room for additional names.
Sources stress that Kardashian’s reaction was not outwardly dramatic. However, it was also “not a small blow” for her. There were no public signs of tension or rivalry, but insiders claim the disappointment was real. “Kim wasn’t just surprised — she was gutted,” one Met watcher alleged. Another source suggested the choice showcased the unpredictable nature of Wintour’s tightly controlled fashion universe.
The 2026 Met Gala will celebrate the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Costume Art,” curated by Andrew Bolton. The show will explore the relationship between fashion and the human body. It will debut in the museum’s newly renovated Condé Nast Galleries.
As for Kardashian, sources say she remains a powerful presence on the Met steps, even without a co-chair title. “In fashion,” as Shuter put it, “when you don’t get the spotlight… you steal the carpet.”
