Here’s Why People Are Boycotting the Met Gala
People are boycotting the Met Gala this year, and there’s a pretty simple reason why.
This year’s New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit is the center of some controversy. Recent years have seen the event explode in popularity. Superstars show up and show out in outlandish designer looks.
But, both the viewing public and some of the stars might have a problem with Jeff Bezos hosting the event. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos were named honorary chairs of the event. Of course, with the political state of the country at this point, there was going to be some pushback.
The New York Times reports that the host city has a burgeoning protest movement developing. Signs and wheatpastes that read “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” have gone up. People have even been projecting the words on the sides of buildings in New York. It’s become a legitimate talking point now.
Some high-profile stars have chosen to opt out of the event for 2026. Social media was surprised when Zendaya dropped out last week. Bella Hadid and Meryl Streep won’t be there either. But, with the level of prestige associated with the Met Gala, don’t be surprised when one of your faves disappoints you.
In a time where celebrities should probably be careful about appearing out of touch, that might make the choice to avoid this year’s Met Gala easier.
Jeff Bezos hosting the Met Gala
Now, as the Times reporting indicates there have been other reasons to boycott the Met Gala in the past. This isn’t just some signifier of Mayor Mamandi’s reign in New York City. Although, the sentiment we’re discussing here is a huge reason why he ended up winning.
For regular everyday people in New York City, the cost of living has been soaring over the last couple of years. Couple that with a social media-addled idea that you’re not doing as well as the person living next to you, and you’ve got a volatile environment.
Jacobin editor Micah Uetricht talked to the NYT about the event and saw Bezos as the main motivator of all this strife.
“He’s obviously one of the great avatars for, you know, just endless, rapacious accumulation of wealth and exploitation of workers at the expense of the rest of us,” Uetricht explained.
There was also some joking about the Met Gala organizers failing to read the room. “So kudos to them,” the editor continued. “If they were looking to make the worst choice possible, it seems like they’ve succeeded.”
Is the Met Gala still important?
For the museum and the Costume Institute itself, sure. But it has also had its controversies in the past. The Met Gala actually helps fund the museum’s operations. It’s a massive fundraiser with the earning potential to keep the lights on for another year or more depending on how many donations they receive.
However, we should be clear. There was another way to ensure that the museum could keep operating without bringing in Jeff Bezos and his wife to be involved in this fashion. More reasonably, Folks would do well to remember that this is all part of an ongoing project for right wing figures to embed themselves in cultural institutions to lend them some credibility. Or, in this case some sorely needed “cool point.”
Most of these attempts at courting major cultural forces have blown up in the Bezos’ faces. If they can’t outright buy their way into these spaces, they haven’t really been welcomed. And, really that’s kind of the problem summed up all at once isn’t it?
(featured image: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
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