Backlash is intensifying in the lead-up to the Jeff Bezos-funded Met Gala, scheduled for May 4, with protest posters appearing just steps from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York's Upper East Side. The posters have been pasted on the boarded-up entrance of the now-closed Daona Deli at 81st Street and Third Avenue, signaling growing discontent over the event's sponsorship.
Bezos and Sanchez Foot the Bill
Jeff Bezos, the 62-year-old Amazon tycoon with an estimated net worth of $224.2 billion, and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, 56, are covering most of the costs for this year's Met Gala. The couple were named as Honorary Co-Chairs, drawing attention from A-list celebrities like the Kardashians, Rihanna, and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. However, their involvement has sparked criticism, highlighted by the bold messages on the protest posters.
Scathing Messages on Display
The giant posters feature two striking messages. One depicts what appears to be a plastic water bottle filled with urine on a red carpet under flashing camera lights, with the caption: 'The Bezos Met Gala. Brought to you by worker exploitation.' Adjacent to it, a bright red poster displays an even more direct call to action in bold white letters: 'Boycott the Bezos Met Gala.'
In smaller font below, the poster elaborates: 'There's no dressing it up. Met Gala chair Jeff Bezos avoids tax, enables ICE, and backs Trump. Don't let him get away with it.' The identity of those responsible for placing the posters remains unclear, adding an element of mystery to the protest.
Allegations of Worker Exploitation
The posters seem to reference previous allegations against Amazon, Bezos's company. In 2023, a lawsuit filed by three Amazon delivery drivers, including an Iraq War veteran, claimed they were forced to urinate in bottles and defecate in dog waste bags to meet the company's demanding schedules. The lawsuit accused Amazon of subjecting employees to inhumane working conditions that required them to use bathrooms inside delivery vans.
In response, Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson told The Denver Post that the company encourages its Delivery Service Partners to support drivers by providing break times, a list of nearby restroom facilities in the Amazon Delivery app, and built-in route time for breaks. The case has since been stayed, but the controversy continues to fuel public outrage.
Vogue's Defense and Event Details
Anna Wintour, Vogue's global creative director and chief content officer for Conde Nast, defended the couple's sponsorship in a November interview with CNN. She praised Sanchez as a 'great lover of costume and obviously of fashion,' adding that she believes Sanchez would be a 'wonderful asset to the museum and the event.' Wintour expressed gratitude for Sanchez's generosity, stating, 'We're very grateful for her incredible generosity. So we're thrilled she's part of the night.'
This year's Met Gala marks Wintour's first in her new role, with Chloe Malle taking over as head of editorial content for US Vogue. Malle, daughter of actress Candice Bergen and French filmmaker Louis Malle, has been with the magazine since 2011, co-hosting its weekly fashion podcast and expanding coverage in areas like weddings.
Event Theme and Exhibition
The gala's dress code is 'fashion is art,' serving as a specific guideline against the overall theme of 'costume art.' The star-studded guest list includes host committee members such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, Angela Bassett, Sam Smith, and Chase Sui Wonders.
The New York City museum will pair historical and contemporary garments from the Costume Institute for an exhibition loosely divided into three categories: the classical body and the nude body, aging bodies and pregnant bodies, and the anatomical body. This artistic focus, however, is now overshadowed by the political and social criticisms surrounding Bezos's involvement.
Background on Sanchez's Vogue Feature
The decision to involve Bezos and Sanchez came months after Sanchez appeared on the cover of Vogue's June 2025 digital issue, which highlighted her lavish Venetian wedding to the Amazon tycoon. The magazine spread featured behind-the-scenes photos of her wedding and dress fitting, designed by Dolce & Gabbana, further intertwining her public image with high fashion.
As the Met Gala approaches, the protest posters serve as a stark reminder of the tensions between corporate wealth, celebrity culture, and social justice, setting the stage for a potentially contentious event on May 4.
