Met Gala 2026 promises to be as dramatic on the mat as it is on the mat, with big names confirmed, surprising absences and growing controversy surrounding this year’s event. With Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole KidmanAnd Venus Williams as co-chair, the Met Gala is once again poised to deliver headline-grabbing fashion moments. But this year, the conversation isn’t just about sewing.
2026 Met Gala faces boycott buzz amid backlash from Bezos
Amazon’s reported involvement sparked backlash, with activist group “Everyone Hates Elon” broadcasting “Boycott the Bezos Met Ball” messages in New York, and speculation on social media suggesting that some celebrities could face criticism simply for participating.
As the buzz grows, several high-profile names are notably absent, including Zendayawhich has been a Met Gala staple for years. After seven consecutive appearances, Zendaya would be absent this year. While some question whether the decision is politically motivated, others point to his busy schedule, with several film projects releasing in 2026.
Lady Gaga has yet to appear on any confirmed guest list, adding to speculation about who will or won’t show up. Meanwhile, some stars have long ignored the event, including Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Ryan GoslingAnd Dwayne Johnson.
Meryl Streep’s absence raises eyebrows
One of the most talked about no-shows is Meryl Streepwho has never attended the Met Gala and may have passed on another invitation this year. The Oscar winner, who shares a well-known friendship with Wintour, was reportedly asked to co-chair in the past and may have received another offer for 2026. However, speculation suggests Streep declined, with some pointing to her political views and possible opposition to Bezos’ involvement as a factor, although nothing has been confirmed.
Despite the controversy, fashion will always remain in the spotlight. Brand partnerships are expected to heavily influence red carpet looks, with Kidman aligned with Chanel, Zoe Kravitz linked to Saint Laurent, and Anne Hathaway representing Prada. With Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello among the event’s hosts, insiders expect the brand to dominate the carpet more than ever this year.
Dress code revealed: ‘Fashion is art’ takes center stage
This year’s 2026 Met Gala isn’t just about showing up, it’s also about making a statement. The official dress code, “Fashion Is Art,” is directly tied to the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Costume Art,” encouraging attendees to blur the lines between fashion and fine art. Expect bold, conceptual looks that feel more like museum pieces than traditional red carpet gowns.
Curated by Andrew Bolton, senior curator in charge of the department, the theme is likely to inspire some of the most theatrical and talked-about fashion moments of recent years. “I wanted to focus on the centrality of the clothed body within the Museum, connecting artistic representations of the body to fashion as an embodied art form,” Bolton said.
“Rather than prioritizing the visualization of fashion, which often comes at the expense of the body, the art of costume favors its materiality and the indivisible link between our body and the clothes we wear,” he added. “The opening of the new galleries will mark a pivotal moment for the department, one that recognizes the essential role that fashion plays not only in art history but also in contemporary culture.”
“Costume Art” exhibition will combine fashion with centuries of art
The theme of the 2026 Met Gala extends well beyond the red carpet, with the accompanying “Costume Art” exhibition offering a deeper, more conceptual look at fashion’s place in history. The exhibition will feature nearly 400 objects from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collections, combining clothing with paintings, sculptures and other works spanning centuries.
Rather than organizing the exhibition chronologically, the exhibition will be divided into categories centered on different interpretations of the body, including the naked body, the classical body, the pregnant body, the aging body, the anatomical body, and the mortal body.
What time does it start and when the stars hit the carpet
Mark your calendars, the Met Gala takes place on Monday, May 4, with arrivals beginning early in the evening. Guests are expected to begin walking the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art around 5:30 p.m. ET, with full red carpet coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
That’s when the biggest names in fashion, film, music and sports will make their grand entrance, and the internet will inevitably crown the night’s best (and worst) dressed.