Stars arrive for 2026 Met Gala as protesters target Jeff Bezos

NEW YORK, USA – Celebrities including singers Sam Smith and Doja Cat and actress Nicole Kidman made their entrances Tuesday, May 5 (Manila time) at the Met Gala, the fashion world’s most coveted invitation, as protesters bashed billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ sponsorship of the event.

His wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, was among the first celebrities to arrive at Tuesday’s event, an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute that has become known for its extravagant fashion and high-profile guests.

The couple are among the event’s main sponsors with a donation reported by media outlets at $10 million and were named honorary chairs, which led to calls for a boycott over wealth inequality and workers’ rights.

Activists project protest messages, highlighting issues of wealth inequality, climate accountability, and labor rights, onto the facade of a building which can be seen from Jeff Bezos’ penthouse, on the eve of the Met Gala, the star-studded fundraiser known for its extravagant fashion and high-profile guests, in New York City, U.S., May 3, 2026. REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado

Outside the museum, protesters in colorful outfits held letters spelling out “tax the rich” and banners reading “resistance red carpet” and “eat the rich.”

Stars expected to attend include Rihanna, Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Kim Kardashian. Tickets cost $100,000 each but most celebrities attend as guests.

Rihanna and ASAP Rocky pose during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Costume Art’ in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole Beyoncé poses during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Costume Art’ in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Among the early arrivals to pose for photographers were internet personalities Emma Chamberlain, in a skin-tight dress with sleeves that hung to the floor, and La La Anthony, whose dress dripped with jewels.

Emma Chamberlain poses during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Costume Art’ in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

This year’s dress code, “Fashion is Art” invited guests to treat the body as a canvas.

French social media personality Lena Mahfouf wore a sculptured bodice shaped like two silver hands and a flowing skirt.

Lena Mahfouf arrives to attend the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Costume Art’ in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Another eye-catching moment was the arrival of actress Gwendoline Christie who donned a long red gown, feathered headpiece and lifelike mask.

Gwendoline Christie poses during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with this year’s theme ‘Costume Art’ in New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

– Rappler.com