It’s been five years since Lady Gaga walked the Met Gala carpet, and while Little Monsters were hoping that this would finally be the year of the pop superstar’s return, it seems the first Monday in May was already booked on Gaga’s über-busy schedule.

The last time Mother Monster posed on the Met steps was in 2019, and she made quite the showstopping entrance. As she glided across the carpet, Lady Gaga ended up changing into four different outfits—a move that other stars, like Lil Nas X, have emulated in the time since. With her series of ensembles, the Grammy winner certainly leaned into the theme of the evening—which was “Camp: Notes on Fashion,”—as she transformed from a massive hot pink Brandon Maxwell gown into a black sleeveless design, a pink slip dress (complete with a Judith Leiber phone bag that winked to her hit song “Telephone”) and finally, a sparkly lingerie set with towering platform boots.

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As if all of this wasn’t impressive enough, the “Shallow” singer sported stunning starburst eyelashes and a bouncy bleached bob, where not one hair, or lash, fell out of place throughout the many dramatic outfit changes.

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While many were hoping to see Gaga make a similarly grand appearance this year, she might be busy preparing for the forthcoming Joker: Folie à Deux press tour. The long-anticipated follow-up the the Oscar-winning Joker hits theaters this October, and the promotion is likely to take the singer all across the globe.

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Although she didn’t confirm the reason for her absence, it’s also possible that the singer is prepping for the return of her Las Vegas residency, Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano, which kicks off again on June 19. After an eight-month break, the singer is most likely immersed in intense rehearsals, which could what’s keeping her from traveling right now. Either way, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that Gaga returns next year.