Rihanna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift missed the Met Gala

In the week leading up to the Met Gala, tabloids volleyed predictions about Taylor Swift’s possible attendance.

She would be there with her football player boyfriend, Travis Kelce! Actually, she wouldn’t! She might go but leave Mr. Kelce at home!

On Monday night, fans finally got their answer. The party of the year would have to go on without Ms. Swift.

Other notable absences from the red carpet: Beyoncé, who had not been expected to attend, and Rihanna, who seemed poised to be the closing act of fashion’s annual parade of one-upmanship.

Last year, every other guest had walked the carpet, as had one uninvited cockroach, before Rihanna arrived at 10:15 p.m., wrapped in Valentino camellias that she said made her feel “expensive.”