Additional Coverage:
- Lauren Sanchez mocked as she appears with Anna Wintour at Met Gala event following protests (irishstar.com)
Lauren Sanchez faced sharp criticism online after appearing with former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at a pre-Met Gala press event on May 4 in New York City.
The 56-year-old, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, chose a more understated look than usual, wearing a tailored grey dress with a slashed neckline. Sanchez was joined by Wintour, 76, as they prepared for the highly anticipated charity ball.
This appearance came shortly after Sanchez and Bezos hosted a pre-Met Gala party on Saturday night. The couple’s involvement in the event has sparked controversy, as they reportedly paid between $10 million and $20 million to become sponsors and honorary co-chairs for the 2026 Met Gala.
Social media reactions were swift and often harsh. One user on X criticized Sanchez, saying, “Lauren Sanchez sold her soul to the devil long ago.
It doesn’t matter that she’s looking glum.” Another remarked, “What exactly is the controversy?
All of these people are rich, entitled, and full of themselves. Nothing new or different.”
Comments also targeted Sanchez’s fashion choices and the gala’s leadership. One person quipped about her outfit, “Lauren Sanchez always looks like her clothes are three sizes too small and her boobs are three sizes too large.
And oh, that face.” Another suggested that if Wintour cancels the gala after involving the Bezos couple, it would represent a significant moment in cultural class conflict.
Despite securing Anna Wintour’s endorsement, the Bezos-Sanchez duo’s role in the gala has led to a notable backlash from celebrities, including Zendaya and Meryl Streep, who have opted out of this year’s event.
Sources confirm Jeff Bezos’s substantial financial commitment to sponsoring the gala, which follows the theme of Costume Art this year. His name features prominently on invitations, reflecting his significant backing.
The Met Gala has a long history of fundraising success, having raised $31 million last year for the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jeff Bezos, currently valued between $230 billion and $241 billion, stepped down as Amazon CEO but remains executive chairman of the company he founded in 1995.