The Met Gala, officially known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, is an iconic annual fundraising event held in New York City on the first Monday in May. It raises significant funds for the Costume Institute and serves as the opening for its fashion exhibition. The 2026 Gala has become particularly controversial due to the involvement of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, as honorary co-chairs. This has sparked calls for a boycott, with activists and public figures urging a protest against the event's association with corporate power and socioeconomic inequality. Notable absences include Meryl Streep, who has historically not attended the Gala, and Zendaya, known for her standout looks in previous years. While some celebrities are skipping the event for ideological reasons, others continue to attend, indicating that there is no unified boycott among the industry. The Met Gala has transformed from a modest charity dinner in 1948 into a lavish affair, with ticket prices skyrocketing to over $100,000 per seat by 2026. In 2026 alone, it is expected to raise a record $42 million for the Costume Institute.