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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s role as hosts of the 2026 Met Gala has stirred controversy within the fashion world, casting a shadow over the much-anticipated event.
Set for Monday, May 4, the annual gala traditionally led by Anna Wintour will see Bezos and Sanchez serving as lead donors and honorary co-chairs, due to their financial backing of the event. However, their prominent involvement has reportedly caused some key figures and socialites to reconsider attending.
According to Page Six, Lauren Santo Domingo-a top-tier socialite and the visionary behind fashion retailer Moda Operandi-will be absent from this year’s Met Gala. Industry insiders liken her absence to “Tom Brady skipping the Super Bowl,” highlighting the significance of her decision. Additionally, several renowned designers, including Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière and JW Anderson’s Jonathan Anderson, are also said to be skipping the event.
Adding to the intrigue, Meryl Streep, who graces the May 2026 Vogue cover and stars as a character inspired by Anna Wintour in the upcoming “Devil Wears Prada 2,” reportedly declined an offer to co-host the gala, reportedly due to Bezos and Sanchez’s involvement. A representative for Streep noted that while she respects Vogue and Wintour’s work, the gala has never quite aligned with her interests. However, her daughters Grace and Mamie Gummer will attend, alongside fellow “Devil Wears Prada 2” cast members Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.
The backlash extends beyond celebrities. Activist groups have taken to the streets of New York City, plastering posters calling for a boycott of the “Bezos Met Gala.” Reports also suggest that Bezos’s ties to the Trump administration have alienated some liberal figures in fashion, particularly amid Amazon MGM’s discussions about rebooting “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump Jr.
Sources indicate that this year’s guest list will feature more of Bezos’s personal connections, including finance insiders and Los Angeles-based power players, shifting the event’s traditional dynamic.
Despite the controversy, the Met Gala host committee includes high-profile names like Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams. Expected attendees at the Costume Institute fundraiser include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Heidi Klum, Laura Harrier, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Emma Chamberlain.
Requests for comment from Lauren Santo Domingo, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Jonathan Anderson have not yet been responded to. The 2026 Met Gala promises to be a night of glamour, but also a flashpoint for debate within the fashion community.