Anna Wintour backs Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez amid Met Gala 2026 sponsorship backlash

Anna Wintour, Vogue’s longtime editor-in-chief and the undisputed “host” of the Met Gala, publicly defended Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos following a wave of social media criticism over the couple’s role as primary sponsors of the 2026 Met Gala.

“I think Lauren will be an amazing partner for both the museum and the event itself,” the 76-year-old fashion icon told CNN on the red carpet at the Franca Fund charity evening in Doha. Wintour highlighted Sanchez as “a true connoisseur of costume and, of course, fashion” and thanked her for her “remarkable generosity.”

Why the Controversy

Last week, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that the Bezos-Sanchez duo would serve as lead sponsors for the Costume Institute exhibition and the accompanying gala, alongside Saint Laurent and Condé Nast.

The 2026 Met Gala theme and spring exhibition, titled Costume Art, will explore how “the dressed body” is represented in the museum’s collection.

However, parts of the fashion community reacted negatively. Under the museum’s Instagram announcement, hundreds of comments expressed outrage:

•  “Selling culture to whoever has the most money.”

•  “Such an amazing theme—and so sad to see it ruined by the sponsors.”

•  “Metropolitan Museum, SOLD to the highest bidder.”

Critics argue that the billionaire couple is attempting to “buy cultural legitimacy” and lacks sufficient fashion credentials to justify such a prominent sponsorship role.

Despite the social media storm, Wintour remains steadfast. “We’re thrilled to have Lauren be a part of this evening,” she reiterated.

Sponsorship from tech giants and billionaires is not new for the Met Gala. Previous supporters have included Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, Apple, Yahoo, and financier Stephen Schwarzman with his spouse.

Over the past year, Bezos and Sanchez have been increasingly visible in fashion circles: front-row seats at Paris Fashion Week, private brand dinners, and appearances with the Kardashian-Jenner clan at high-profile events.

The couple made their Met Gala debut together in 2024, with Sanchez wearing a show-stopping Oscar de la Renta. They skipped the 2025 gala due to wedding preparations, but in June Sanchez graced Vogue’s digital cover in her Dolce & Gabbana lace wedding gown.

Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images