Why Jennifer Garner Never Went Back to the Met Gala After 2007 Appearance
Jennifer Garner catches and releases invites to the Met Gala.
The 13 Going on 30 actress has not attended the iconic event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 2007—and she recently revealed why.
"I went to the Met ball exactly one time," Jennifer explained to Vogue in the Dec. 11 episode of its "Beauty Secrets" series. "I found it a little scary so I haven't been back."
Still, the four-time Emmy nominee looks back fondly on the 2007 event. "I wore—that night—this magical red Valentino gown," she added. "And I was his date and that was really majestic and special."
The year that the 51-year-old accompanied Valentino to the event, the evening's theme was "Poiret: King of Fashion," which honored the late designer Paul Poiret—an artist known for modernizing women's style.
Jennifer isn't the only celebrity to opt out of the event. In fact, Demi Lovato and Zayn Malik—who both only attended the 2016 gala—have concurred that they likely won't ever return, with the "Heart Attack" singer recalling the "terrible experience" in 2018 interview with Billboard.
And although Jennifer has not returned to the ball, she doesn't shy away from star-studded events entirely. Just last year, the Family Switch actress attended the White House State Dinner, and brought along her daughter, Violet 18.
The mother-daughter duo wore complimenting floor-length black gowns. Jennifer—who also shares children Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11, with ex Ben Affleck—opted for a sleeveless velvet dress, while her daughter donned an A-line style with lacquered heart-shaped details.
Keep reading to see Jennifer's most glam looks from over the years.
In honor of her star on the Walk of Fame, the actress wore a classic navy blue dress with an asymmetrical neckline and matching pumps.
Jennifer shows off her toned arms in a beautiful red dress and black heeled sandals.
There is no such thing as too much velvet, according to Jennifer. The actress looks radiant in a wine-hued velvet off-the-shoulder number by Jennifer Ortiz with strapped, velvet green Chloe Gosselin heels.
Garner captured understated class at its finest in the white-wonder that was her ruffly Roland Mouret at the Baby2Baby Gala.
The 13 Going on 30 star looks timeless in a tuxedo collared cape over a fringed black dress.
Striped sundresses and sandals are spring's sought after style.
Newly 44, going on 30, in all black and leather while appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
With her minimal makeup, Garner looks as refreshed and youthful as always. She rocks a sweet pink strapless tea-length dress with black flower embellishments, pairing the look with a pair of strappy black heels.
The beauty looks cute and put together on the red carpet of the 29th American Cinematheque Award honoring Reese Witherspoon.
Wearing side swept curls hair style a la Hollywood and rocking a black gown with mesh inserts, the starlet glams up for a great cause - Save the Children.
The brunette beauty opts for a peach-hued mini and nude suede heels at a Baby2Baby event in Los Angeles.
The star wows at the New York premiere of Danny Collins in a swingy little black dress.
Jen wore a black Valentino dress with white lace overlay at the 23rd Annual Beat The Odds Awards in Beverly Hills.
Natural makeup and a simple hairdo made her Dolce & Gabbana gown look more casual at the 2013 Governors Awards.
As the face of Max Mara, Jennifer attended the Marvelous Max Mara photocall in Tokyo in the designer's white sleeveless column gown with a messy updo.
The Dallas Buyers Club star attended the L.A. premiere wearing a Vionnet navy sleeveless drape gown with Burak Uyan strappy heels.
The actress wowed in a sweet Dolce & Gabbana dress with red lace overlay at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Jennifer slipped into a Calvin Klein LBD for the designer's Save the Children benefit.
Max Mara honored Jennifer as their first celebrity spokesperson at an NYC party where the lady of the hour wore the designer's black satin strapless cocktail dress.
The Neutrogena brand ambassador flaunted her ivory skin in a purple knee-length Oscar de la Renta dress and Brian Atwood pumps.
This custom Gucci gown was perfect on Mrs. Affleck at the 2013 Academy Awards, which she paired with $2.5 million worth of Neil Lane jewels.
In support of her hubby's award winning movie Argo, the actress wowed in an architectural silhouette by Roland Mouret.
While husband Ben Affleck took home the highest honor at the 2013 Directors Guild of America Awards for Argo, Jen took over the red carpet with this white Antonio Beradi fitted dress detailed with floral embellishments.
The 2013 awards season may have been all about her main man, Ben, but his best accessory is definitely his wife! She sparkled in a bronze Oscar de la Renta gown at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year.
Always chic and sweet, Jen wore a black Oscar de la Renta knee-length dress featuring a sheer embroidered lace overlay and ruffled lace hemline to the 2013 Producers Guild Awards.
Va-va-voom! The mom of three donned a red Vivienne Westwood couture beaded strapless gown with David Webb accessories to the 2013 Golden Globe Awards.
The mother of three looked lovely in a nude Dolce & Gabbana dress, Nicholas Kirkwood pumps and David Webb jewels at CinemaCon to promote her film, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.
The actress attends the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., in a bright blue sheath with pleated skirt and nude platform sandals.
Meeting Kate Middleton and Prince William at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event is a big deal, so Jen is dressed to impress. She selected a drop dead glamorous one-shoulder navy Yves Saint Laurent gown with drop earrings and a silver clutch. Stunning!
Looking like the gorgeous girl next door in this YSL black mini, the mama attends the 10th Annual Chrysalis Charity Butterfly Ball. Natural makeup, a Ferragamo bag and black Casadei heels complete her look.
