The 2026 Met Gala raised a record $42 million, but the headline-grabbing event was overshadowed by protests against lead sponsors Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
The 2026 Met Gala, the annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, took place on May 4 in New York City. According to museum officials, the event raised approximately $42 million, a record amount. However, the gala was marked by a sponsorship controversy involving lead sponsors Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, and was accompanied by public protests.
Event Overview and Theme
The gala launched the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, "Costume Art," which opened to the public on May 10, 2026, and will run until January 10, 2027. The dress code for attendees was "Fashion is Art."
Curated by Andrew Bolton, the "Costume Art" exhibition is the first to occupy the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries, adjacent to the museum's Great Hall. The exhibition explores the relationship between fashion and art, focusing on the representation of the human body in Western art.
It features approximately 400 objects, pairing 200 garments with 200 artworks from various museum departments. Body types are divided into categories including classical and nude, anatomical, and underrepresented bodies such as pregnant, aging, and disabled bodies. Mannequins were cast from real bodies and feature mirrored steel heads designed by artist Samar Hejazi.
Co-Chairs, Host Committee, and Sponsorship
The gala was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. The host committee was co-chaired by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz.
Committee members included Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Alex Consani, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Lisa, Chloe Malle, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Lauren Wasser, Anna Weyant, A'ja Wilson, and Yseult.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, with multiple sources reporting that the couple contributed approximately $10 million. Other corporate sponsors included Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, Snapchat, and Shopify, which each purchased tables at $350,000. Individual ticket prices were $100,000. The gala serves as the primary fundraiser for the Costume Institute.
Attendance and Red Carpet
Lauren Sánchez Bezos arrived at the gala first among the attendees, posing for photos alone. She wore a custom Schiaparelli gown inspired by John Singer Sargent's 1884 painting Portrait of Madame X. Jeff Bezos, who also served as honorary chair, did not walk the red carpet and was not reported to be present at the event.
Notable attendees included Beyoncé, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Gigi Hadid, Charli XCX, Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Madonna, and Bad Bunny. Other attendees included internet personalities Emma Chamberlain and La La Anthony.
Multiple guests, including Sánchez Bezos, Claire Foy, and Julianne Moore, chose looks referencing The Portrait of Madame X. Other guests, including the Jenner sisters, Heidi Klum, and Doja Cat, wore interpretations of famous sculptures.
Several prominent figures did not attend. Absentees included New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Meryl Streep, Zendaya, Bella Hadid, Taraji P. Henson, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Protests and Criticism
The involvement of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos as sponsors prompted public criticism and organized protests. Multiple activist groups, including Everyone Hates Elon and Labor is Art, organized demonstrations.
Protest actions included:
- A fashion show on Little West 12th Street in Manhattan organized by Labor is Art, a group including Amazon workers, their unions, and supporters.
- Distribution of posters and projection of slogans such as "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala" onto a building visible from the Bezos's apartment.
- Reports of 300 to 500 small bottles of fake urine, each bearing an image of Jeff Bezos, being placed around the museum. This action referenced complaints about Amazon workers' bathroom breaks.
- A physical altercation at the red carpet reported by one source.
A counter-event called the "Ball Without Billionaires" was held, featuring workers from Amazon, Whole Foods, and The Washington Post.
Some public figures commented critically on the sponsorship. Actress Taraji P. Henson questioned the attendance of certain celebrities. Actor Mark Ruffalo collaborated on a protest video. Singer Olivia Rodrigo, who attended previous galas, did not attend in 2026 and liked the protest video.
After-Parties
Following the gala, several after-parties were held in New York City. Parties were hosted by Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna, Venus Williams, Zoë Kravitz, Baz Luhrmann, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and Teyana Taylor and Kate Moss. Attendees changed into second outfits that followed the "Fashion is Art" dress code.
Bezos Earth Fund Announcement
Coinciding with the Met Gala, the Bezos Earth Fund, where Lauren Sánchez Bezos serves as vice chair, announced $34 million in grants to institutions researching alternatives to polyester and cotton, including biodegradable textile fiber and plastic-free synthetic silk.