Blair is framing her absence from this year's Met Gala as temporary, emphasizing her enduring passion for fashion and her hope for future appearances. Her new role with the American Brain Foundation positions her as a health advocate rather than someone defined by illness.
Insiders note Blair's Met Gala appearances were spaced decades apart — her last was roughly 20 years ago. While she speaks optimistically about returning, sources say attending such an event requires significant physical stamina that MS can unpredictably affect.
Blair attended the Met Gala with designer Behnaz Sarafpour for her first appearance and later went multiple years with Chanel before appearing with Marc Jacobs 'probably 20 years ago.' She spoke to Us Weekly on May 1, 2026, at Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa.
Blair's love letter to fashion is also a quiet declaration of resilience — she's not ready to write off the red carpet just yet, and honestly? I respect the energy.
Selma Blair is dreaming of runway returns. The actress, 53, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, May 1, that she plans to make her way back to the Met Gala someday — a bold statement from someone who hasn't attended fashion's most exclusive event in roughly two decades. "I used to be a big Met Gala attendee," Blair said during Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa's Leading Hotels of the World accreditation celebration.
"I haven't attended in many years, but I have wonderful memories of it." The Detroit native went on to detail her fashion history at the iconic fundraiser, starting with designer Behnaz Sarafpour before spending multiple years under the Chanel umbrella and later appearing alongside Marc Jacobs — a pairing she estimates was "probably 20 years ago." For someone who clearly understands the weight of that red carpet, Blair's nostalgia carries genuine credibility.
She's not claiming casual attendance; she's signaling deep roots in this world. This year's Met Gala takes place Monday, May 4, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with Beyoncé returning as cochair alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. The theme, "Costume Art," explores 5,000 years of the "dressed body" under a "Fashion Is Art" dress code encouraging sculptural and avant-garde interpretations.
Blair won't be among the attendees — but she's definitely watching. "One day I will be back at the Met, because I love fashion," she told Us. "I love wardrobes.
And it is a passion of mine, so I really appreciate what they do and I think it's an amazing event." There's something refreshingly unguarded about Blair's admission — she's not pretending her health doesn't matter, but she's also refusing to let MS define her relationship with style. In October 2018, the Cruel Intentions star revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis via Instagram, describing how her costumer carefully dressed her on set due to symptom-related limitations.
Seven years later, she told Stellar in November 2025 that she's been "relapse free" for years — a milestone she called "profound." Beyond fashion nostalgia, Blair is channeling her energy into neurological advocacy as the American Brain Foundation's new global ambassador and national chair of brain health advancement. She referenced Eric Dane, who died from ALS on February 19, describing him as someone who'd been in her life throughout her career.
"I think now is a totally great new time for research and cures," she told Us, citing AI advancements and the foundation's roster of scientists. For Blair, this Met Gala season represents both what she's loved — and what's possible when health allows participation again.
