Met Gala 2026: Celebrity Absences Amid Controversy Over Jeff Bezos
Met Gala, then and now: Why Meryl Streep, Zendaya, Bella Hadid, and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani are skipping fashion’s biggest night (or billionaire bash)?
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The 2026 Met Gala, a prestigious fashion event in New York City, faces backlash due to the involvement of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Notable figures like Meryl Streep, Zendaya, Bella Hadid, and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani are reportedly skipping the event, with some citing ideological reasons for their absence amid calls for a boycott.
- 01The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
- 02The 2026 edition has sparked controversy due to Jeff Bezos's involvement, prompting calls for a boycott.
- 03Celebrities like Meryl Streep and Zendaya are reportedly skipping the event, but not all absences are due to the boycott.
- 04The Met Gala has evolved from a modest charity dinner to a high-status cultural spectacle.
- 05Ticket prices have surged, with seats reportedly costing upwards of $100,000 by 2026.
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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.
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The controversy surrounding the Met Gala highlights growing discontent with corporate influence in cultural events, prompting discussions about wealth inequality and celebrity culture.
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