Met Gala 2024: Rihanna, we hardly knew you. The Queen of the Met is reportedly missing this year’s red carpet events due to an unanticipated and quite unfortunate illness: the flu.

She had intended to go with her lover, A$AP Rocky, but had to cancel at the last minute owing to sickness, an exclusive insider informed the magazine. As they point out, the celebrity had already given a sneak peek at her appearance, describing it as “really simple.”

We might never find out what it looked like now! Very sad!

However, RiRi always arrives at the Gala, let’s say, fashionably late. Perhaps she has recovered and is on her way? Can we bravely dream?

Alright, sigh. If she’s not feeling well, we most definitely don’t want her there—after all, she has an empire to manage and two children to nurture. She must get some sleep.

Let’s take a stroll down MemoRIH Lane to cheer ourselves up.

If you are unfamiliar with the legend surrounding RiRi and the Met, simply know that she is well-known for two things on the greatest night in fashion: she never arrives on time and always slays.

But it’s better to show up, isn’t that right? Just like she did the previous year, when she appeared in Valentino completely covered in white rosettes and wearing cat-eye sunglasses.

Though it would be impossible to include all of Rihanna’s Met ball gowns here, we have a soft spot for her Comme des Garçons 2017 creation, which resembled a real work of art and was opulent to match.

RiRi, get some rest! Next year, we hope to see you (sob). For the time being, we can all simply speculate about Rihanna’s Met Gala 2024 as we lament her passing.