Met Gala 2026 faces boycott calls over Jeff Bezos' controversial co-chair role
The Met Gala 2026 has sparked controversy after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was named an honorary co-chair and major financial backer. Known as 'fashion’s biggest night,' the event draws global attention for its extravagant outfits and high-profile guests. But this year, calls for a boycott have overshadowed the usual glamour.
The Met Gala began in 1948 as a modest charity dinner, with tickets costing around $50. Its purpose was to raise funds for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Over time, the event grew in prominence, especially after Diana Vreeland linked its theme to the museum’s annual fashion exhibit in 1972.
Anna Wintour took over as chair in 1995, transforming the Gala into a star-studded spectacle. By 2026, ticket prices had soared to over $100,000 each, cementing its status as an exclusive cultural moment. The event still marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s major exhibition and remains a key fundraiser. This year’s controversy centres on Bezos’ involvement, with activists and public figures criticising his corporate influence and labour practices. Some high-profile names, including Meryl Streep, Bella Hadid, Zendaya, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will skip the event. Streep’s absence aligns with her long-standing habit of not attending, while others appear to be making a deliberate statement.
The 2026 Met Gala will proceed as planned on the first Monday in May, despite the backlash. Bezos’ role as co-chair has intensified scrutiny over the event’s ties to corporate power. Meanwhile, the Costume Institute’s exhibition will open as usual, funded in part by the Gala’s record-breaking ticket sales.
