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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are set to host a private pre-Met Gala party this weekend amid growing calls to boycott the event due to their prominent involvement.
The Amazon founder, 62, and his wife, 56, are serving as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs of this year’s Met Gala and the accompanying Costume Institute exhibition, which takes place Monday, May 4, in New York City. Alongside celebrities such as Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, the couple plays a significant role in shaping the event.
Before the gala, Bezos and Sánchez plan to celebrate with an exclusive gathering on Saturday night. Invitations were reportedly sent via email, teasing a disco-themed event with a mysterious, glittery red-lipstick image. Details about the party location remain confidential, though sources suggest it could be hosted at the Bezoses’ New York City residence.
Despite their high-profile involvement, the couple faces criticism over their sponsorship. Activists and critics have called for a boycott, questioning Bezos’s intentions and suggesting his support of the gala may be linked to repairing ties with former President Donald Trump. This controversy intensified after reports revealed Bezos’s Amazon MGM Studios recently funded a film about First Lady Melania Trump.
Around the Metropolitan Museum, posters urging a boycott have appeared, with slogans like “Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by the firm that powers ICE.” These protests highlight the tension between the event’s glamorous reputation and growing public scrutiny of its high-profile backers.
Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director and longtime chair of the gala, has defended the Bezoses’ involvement. In November, she praised Lauren Sánchez’s passion for fashion and expressed gratitude for their generous support, emphasizing the positive impact on the museum and the event.
This year’s gala breaks from tradition, as a legacy fashion house typically leads sponsorship. The theme, “Costume Art,” explores the artistic expression of the dressed body across the museum’s extensive collection. Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute, noted that fashion connects every gallery and curatorial department within the museum.
As the Met Gala approaches, all eyes will be on the Bezoses as they navigate their roles amid both celebration and controversy.