Fashion Editor Polly Rogers dissects the political protests and internet controversies that surrounded the 2026 Met Gala.
What was once the night of the year, that one Monday in May, has become an infusion of billionaires using their wealth to buy their place upon the red carpet. The Met Gala 2026, faced attempts to be overshadowed by protests. This prestigious event, once a celebration of fashion and culture, led to vocal and demonstrative activism - New Yorkers were protesting by displaying “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” on projectors and posters throughout the city. Crowds gathered to protest the infusion of tech giants into the event. Brands and corporations in attendance included Amazon, Meta and OpenAI into what was once a celebrated night for fashion and the arts.
The price of a single seat within the Gala was around $100,000 this year, which is a disgusting upmarking for what was once only $50 dollars a ticket in 1948 - the year of the Gala's conception. Even factoring in inflation - the tickets would be less than $700 dollars today if not for the elitist and capitalistic greed that upmarkets the exclusivity of these events.
Small bottles of what seemed to be urine were found hidden throughout the Met Museum prior to the event. Jeff Bezos' face was plastered on these small bottles, encircled by text bidding for those reading to boycott “The Bezos Met Gala” and to “Relax, It’s just water and food coloring”. Also appearing was an installation across the street from the Met - showing a basket of empty water bottles and signage declaring it was a ‘VIP toilet’.
This activism seems to emanate from the group with the handle, @everyonehateselon_ on instagram. Their protests use comedic effect in an attempt to take on billionaires and their "politician mates”. Their recent protests have been in response to Bezos’ “buying” the Gala. The newlywed couple has apparently donated 10 million towards the evening, buying tables for Amazon, and funding their way into positions as the co-chairs of the event through their sponsorship. Amazon is continually facing backlash, for its support and dealings with the Israeli Government and Military, for selling data to ICE, as well as Bezos’ tax deductions. Some of the protesters were promoting the banner, “If you can buy The Met Gala you can pay more tax.” Jeff Bezos did not appear on the red carpet during the event, while his spouse Lauren Bezos posed in a Schiaparelli gown, taking inspiration from the portrait of Madame X.
“If you can buy The Met Gala you can pay more tax.”
Many Gala regulars were not present, with rumours immediately circulating, claiming that this is out of protest because of Jeff Bezos involvement. Zohran Mamdani was notably not in attendance, which broke a long standing tradition of a mayoral presence at the Gala. Celebrities such as Zendaya, Meryl Streep and Bella Hadid did not take to the red carpet. Hadid reportedly liked an Instagram post in which called out celebrities who would attend, but wear pins in protest of ICE, relating to Bezos’ involvement with President Donald Trump.
Sarah Paulson, while in attendance, was masked by capitalism - her outfit was designed by Parisian brand Matières Fécales, and entitled “The One Percent” she attempted a political statement, wearing a modified masquerade eyepiece which was reminiscent of a one dollar bill. Her long grey ball gown from the brand's recent collection; La Famille Bourgeoise. Online discourse was pondering why she just didn't boycott the event, if she was so opposed to the foundations and constructs at the heart of the evening, and that this was a rather hollow gesture - whilst others praising her for mockery of the billionaires in attendance.
The internet has run wild with opinionated discussions on the night, with The Met Gala guaranteed to cross most social media users' feeds, a lot of creators are drawing heavy reference to the book series by Joanne Collins, The Hunger Games, saying how they are watching The Capitol from District 12. While the bourgeoisie in attendance shove their wealth in the faces of those watching, and dystopian narratives slowly inch closer to reality. What was once a fundraiser for the arts, an evening of exciting attendance for the socialites of the city, has now become a platform for the self promotion of capitalistic business men, whose involvement and advocacy for the use of artificial intelligence threatens artists daily.