This time, the spotlight has shifted to the new and highly controversial main sponsors and honorary co-chairs of the event — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez.

A fashion industry insider said that the couple’s involvement is generating strong dissatisfaction within the industry and is being seen as a painful break with long-standing tradition tied to the event’s exclusivity and cultural status.

According to the source, this is perceived as “deeply painful and disturbing” for those who consider the Met Gala an important institution in the fashion world, as well as “a real slap in the face” to many industry participants.

Insider reports also suggest that the Bezos involvement has already affected event planning: at least one major Hollywood celebrity has reportedly withdrawn from Met Gala programming. It is said that actress Meryl Streep, who was previously mentioned as a possible co-chair of the event, allegedly declined the role because of the gala’s new association with Bezos’ financing and public prominence. Representatives for the actress did not comment on this claim.

Since the announcement of the couple’s involvement last November, criticism surrounding the event has been growing. On social media and among activists, calls for a boycott of fashion’s biggest night have emerged, while some online commentary has taken on sharply political tones, reflecting broader polarization around Bezos and his connections to political elites.

According to a fashion industry source, there is also quiet internal tension within the industry itself. They note that the fashion world is traditionally liberal in outlook, and the Met Gala has historically been associated with support for Democratic politicians and progressive initiatives. Against this backdrop, the involvement of billionaire figures has created internal conflict among some organizers and participants.

It is also emphasized that criticism has intensified due to Bezos’ perceived political associations and involvement in controversial policy debates, including issues related to equality and immigration.

Bezos and Sánchez are no strangers to controversy. Their lavish Venice wedding in 2025 was met with protests, while Blue Origin’s space projects — including Sánchez’s flight with an all-female crew — were criticized as overly ostentatious and elitist.

Additional scrutiny comes from Bezos’ immense wealth, estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars, and the fact that his sponsorship of the Met Gala coincides with large-scale layoffs at companies linked to him, further fueling public criticism.

For many observers, private billionaire funding of the Met Gala is seen as an attempt to secure entry into the elite circles of the fashion industry, which has traditionally been controlled by brands and corporations rather than individual ultra-wealthy patrons.

At the same time, industry sources note that Bezos and Sánchez’s role as key sponsors effectively signals tacit approval from major figures in fashion, including long-time Met Gala leader Anna Wintour, whose influence over the event remains decisive.

Some analysts suggest that the decision to bring in Bezos may be driven not only by financial capacity but also by changing economic conditions in the luxury sector, where brands have reduced spending on large cultural events in the post-pandemic period.

Anna Wintour’s role is also being discussed. She has led Met Gala organization for over 30 years, and despite rumors of internal restructuring at Condé Nast, sources say her influence on key decisions, including sponsor selection, remains significant.

Some experts believe Wintour may have deliberately approved Bezos’ involvement, signaling a strategic shift in the event’s direction amid economic uncertainty and declining traditional sponsorship strength.

The internal conflict is further intensified by political context: critics point out that last year’s Met Gala, which celebrated Black style and cultural identity, now contrasts sharply with figures whose political associations are seen as controversial in debates over equality and social policy.

Against this backdrop, one industry source said the core issue is not only the sponsors themselves, but a broader shift in how power and influence are perceived in the modern world.