While a slew of famous faces attended the 2026 Met Gala, a number of notable names snubbed fashion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
The gala is overseen by former Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who now serves as global chief content officer for publisher Condé Nast, and raises millions of dollars for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
In a hugely controversial move, billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez-Bezos were named as this year’s sponsors and co-hosts.
The couple reportedly paid $10 million to do so - sparking a slew of protests across New York and calls from the activist group Everyone Hates Elon to boycott the event amid a wave of anti-wealth sentiment.
A gala organiser, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed to The Independent that Bezos was using the event to “buy favour”, adding: “He’s sipping champagne, while his actions are affecting people all over the world. He’s buying favour, quite literally.”
Dissent gained momentum in April when newly-elected mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would not attend and urged people to focus on affordability over high-profile fundraising events.
The event was branded the “Amazon Prime Gala” with posters popping up with the words “Bezos Met Gala:Brought to you by the firm that powers ICE”.
Amazon workers staged their own “Ball without Billionaires” in New York on Monday afternoon.
Another activist group placed nearly 300 miniature bottles of fake urine throughout the Met museum in reference to multiple employees at Amazon alleging that they don’t get toilet breaks.
Stars like Zendaya, Meryl Streep, Timothée Chalamet and Bella Hadid all chose not to attend fashion’s biggest night this year.
Last week, Zendaya’s busy press tours for her new film The Drama and Euphoria series three were cited as the reason for her absence.
However, other stars have been more vocal about not attending.
Comedian and podcaster Meredith Lynch called out celebrities planning to wear “ICE out” badges to the Met Gala, referencing the fact that Bezos supported Donald Trump in the run-up to his second term as US president.
“Jeff Bezos is part of the reason we’re in this f***ing mess,” she said.
“It is wild to me that this event is sponsored by Jeff Bezos, who has backed Trump, who has slashed arts funding.”
Empire actor Taraji P. Henson commented: “I am so confused by some ppl that are going.
“I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”
Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo liked a post showing activist group Everyone Hates Elon’s members projecting words of protest on Bezos’ $120 million home in New York.
