Story perspectives

Met Gala Debuts Exhibit, Bezos Pledges $10 M Amid Boycott

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Met Gala 2026 opened the Costume Art exhibition at the Met on May 10 after Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos pledged $10 million.
Curator Andrew Bolton displayed mannequins of naked, ageing and disabled bodies wearing masks, providing a body-positive counterpoint to the gala’s celebrity lineup.
Critics and about 500 commenters called the event elitist, urged a boycott, and noted tickets cost hundreds of thousands of dollars amid rising gas and price inflation.

1 of 1

Story summary

The U.S. Met Gala 2026 opened the Costume Art exhibition at the Met on May 10 after Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos pledged $10 million.
Curator Andrew Bolton displayed mannequins of naked, ageing and disabled bodies wearing masks, providing a body-positive counterpoint to the gala’s celebrity lineup.
Critics and about 500 commenters called the event elitist, urged a boycott, and noted tickets cost hundreds of thousands of dollars amid rising gas and price inflation.