The Met Gala has long been synonymous with opulence, haute couture, and celebrity spectacle.

Yet, in 2026, instead of anticipation over red carpet fashion, the focus has turned to controversy — specifically the involvement of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos as the evening’s lead sponsors and honorary chairs.

Set to take place on Monday (May 4, 2026), at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the gala remains the primary fundraising event for the museum’s Costume Institute.

However, the inclusion of the billionaire couple has sparked protests, boycott campaigns and visible unease within parts of the fashion and entertainment industries in what is typically regarded as “the party of the year”.

The Met Gala has historically relied on corporate sponsorships, most often from major luxury fashion houses or global brands. This year, however, the decision to place individual billionaires at the forefront as principal financial backers marks a notable departure from precedent.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos were formally announced in February as both lead sponsors and honorary chairs of the event, as well as patrons of the accompanying exhibition titled “Costume Art,” scheduled to open on May 10, which is the theme of this year’s edition.

For many observers, the change has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that the move reflects a broader transformation in how cultural institutions engage with wealth and power. The gala, already seen by some as a symbol of extreme affluence, is now being scrutinised more intensely in light of this development.

Bezos and US President Donald Trump have also moved from a historically estranged relationship to a pragmatic, increasingly close, and aligned position.

Following Trump’s re-election, Bezos expressed optimism about the new administration, following the US president showing interest in assisting with deregulation efforts, particularly through his company.

Across New York City, posters began appearing in public spaces — including sidewalks and subway cars — urging residents to boycott the event. These posters carry pointed messages aimed at the sponsors.

One reads, “The Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by worker exploitation,” referencing longstanding accusations about working conditions within Amazon’s fulfilment network.

Another poster describes the gala as “brought to you by the firm that powers ICE,” accompanied by imagery of tear gas on a red carpet, an apparent reference to reports concerning Amazon’s technological support for US immigration enforcement operations.

The campaign behind these posters has been attributed to an activist group known as Everyone Hates Elon.

According to one of its founders, who chose to remain anonymous due to concerns about legal repercussions, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to challenge the role of billionaires in public life, reported The New York Times.

The group has previously engaged in demonstrations that involve unauthorised public messaging, including poster campaigns.

Even social media users — many of whom traditionally amplify the gala through live commentary and fashion analysis — have instead turned their attention to the implications of the sponsorship.

How the larger industry is at unease

The criticism surrounding the event appears to be influencing attendance decisions among high-profile figures. Actress Zendaya, a frequent attendee and widely regarded as a standout presence on the Met Gala red carpet, is not attending the 2026 edition, reported Elle.

Having appeared at the event seven times between 2015 and 2019, and again in 2024 and 2025 — where she also served as a co-chair — her absence is notable.

According to reports, her decision is linked to a desire to step back from public appearances following a demanding year.

During this period, she completed promotional campaigns for major projects, including The Drama and the third season of Euphoria, while also beginning to promote upcoming films such as
The Odyssey and
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in which she stars alongside partner Tom Holland.

Reports also emerged regarding Meryl Streep, suggesting that she declined a co-chair invitation due to the involvement of the Bezos couple.

However, her representatives clarified that she has consistently chosen not to attend the Met Gala, telling Page Six, “Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna, and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.”

Despite this clarification, the perception that prominent figures are distancing themselves from the event has contributed to the narrative of growing dissent.

Reports indicate that several designers and members of the social elite are also opting out, with some citing discomfort over the sponsors’ perceived political affiliations and influence.

Within the fashion industry itself, reactions have been candid. One insider described the situation to Daily Mail as “very hurtful and very disturbing,” adding that it felt like “a real slap in the face” to those who regard the gala as an institution grounded in artistic and historical significance.

How New York City is responding to boycott calls

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani
has also confirmed that he will not attend the gala, breaking from a pattern established by previous mayors such as Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, and Eric Adams, all of whom attended the event during their tenures.

Mamdani explained his decision by emphasising his policy priorities, stating, “My focus is also on affordability and making the most expensive city in the United States affordable, and that’s what I’m looking to spend a lot of my time focused on.”

With concerns about income inequality and cost of living dominating public discourse, the optics of a high-profile event funded by one of the world’s wealthiest individuals will draw increased scrutiny.

Labour organisations and advocacy groups are also mobilising in response. A coalition that includes the Service Employees International Union, the Strategic Organizing Center, and the Amazon Labor Union is planning an alternative event titled “Ball Without Billionaires.”

Scheduled to take place in downtown New York on the same day as the gala, the event will feature workers from companies associated with Bezos — including Amazon, Whole Foods, and The Washington Post — as well as employees from other major corporations such as Starbucks and Uber.

Participants will model clothing created by designers focused on ethical production, with the aim of highlighting labour issues and presenting a different perspective on the relationship between fashion and industry.

Why the Met Gala remains institutionally importance

Despite the controversy, the Met Gala remains a cornerstone of funding for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The institute’s collection includes more than 33,000 items spanning several centuries, encompassing garments, accessories, and archival materials that document the history of fashion.

Funds raised through the gala support a wide range of activities, including acquisitions, conservation work, and the maintenance of extensive research resources.

According to CNN, the institute’s reference library alone contains hundreds of periodicals and thousands of designer files dating back to the sixteenth century. Additional funding is allocated to conservation laboratories, storage facilities, and gallery spaces such as the Anna Wintour Costume Center and the Condé M. Nast Galleries.

The gala also contributes to staffing costs for the institute’s team, ensuring the continued operation of its exhibitions and programmes. In 2025, the event raised a record $31 million, by comparison, other major cultural fundraisers generate significantly lower sums.

The 2026 gala will coincide with the opening of “Costume Art,” an exhibition that explores the intersection of fashion and artistic expression.

Featuring approximately 200 objects, the exhibition will present garments and accessories alongside sculptures and paintings from the museum’s broader collection.

What next for the Met Gala

While criticism has been widespread, the event continues to attract prominent supporters. This year’s co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams, alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has overseen the gala for decades.

Wintour has publicly supported the involvement of
Lauren Sánchez Bezos, highlighting her enthusiasm for fashion and her contributions to the event.

“She’s a great lover of costume and obviously of fashion, so we’re thrilled she’s part of the night,” Wintour told CNN, adding that she was grateful for the couple’s “incredible generosity.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos, whose net worth has grown substantially over the past decade, has become an increasingly visible figure in elite social and cultural circles.

His recent appearances at major events, including international fashion gatherings and high-profile personal celebrations, have drawn attention to the scale of his wealth and lifestyle.

This visibility has, in turn, made him a focal point for criticism related to inequality and corporate influence.

Despite the backlash, the gala is still expected to draw a significant number of high-profile attendees, maintaining its status as a key event on the global cultural calendar.

With inputs from agencies