Bella Hadid has publicly criticised celebrities planning to attend Monday's Met Gala, taking aim at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for his role as co-chair of the event. The 29-year-old supermodel, who has graced the gala five times, liked an Instagram video by Meredith Lynch that stated: 'You cannot wear the ICE out pin to the Jeff Bezos backed MET Gala. Jeff Bezos is part of the reason we're in this mess.'
The comment references the controversy surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has expanded mass deportations under the Trump administration. Bella is not alone in her sentiments; stars including Zendaya are snubbing the fashion world's biggest event, and Meryl Streep has reportedly pulled out as co-chair.
The backlash stems from Bezos' vast organisation holding contracts with ICE. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is said to host data for Palantir, a company that provides software to ICE for tracking and identifying immigrants. This has sparked outrage among celebrities and activists alike.
Bella's Instagram activity prompted a flurry of fan reactions. One wrote: 'Bella Hadid seemingly confirmed she won't be attending this year's Met Gala after liking an Instagram reel calling out celebs who protest ICE but still attend events tied to Jeff Bezos.' Another added: 'Apparently, Bella Hadid will not attend the Met Gala this year, as she liked a post criticising the event and the celebrities who will be attending, since it is supported by Jeff Bezos.'
Actress Taraji P. Henson also weighed in, commenting on the video: 'I am so confused by some people that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!'
This year's gala has faced intense scrutiny following the announcement that Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, would serve as lead sponsors and honorary chairs. Beyond his ICE ties, Amazon's treatment of its workforce has also drawn criticism. Activist group Everyone Hates Elon displayed posters around New York reading: 'The Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by worker exploitation.'
An industry insider told Daily Mail: 'It's, quite frankly, very hurtful and very disturbing for [the Bezoses] to be the face of this year's Met Gala. Something that is really meaningful to a lot of people and to such a highly regarded institution. It feels like a real slap in the face to a lot of people.'
Meryl Streep was rumoured to have been a co-chair this year but allegedly declined due to the Bezoses' involvement. Internal dissent is also brewing among those planning the event, a fundraiser for the museum's fashion collection. The insider explained: 'The fashion industry and the people who work in it are by and large very liberal. Anna has always publicly supported Democratic candidates. To have a couple that aligns themselves with a president who has sought to eviscerate DEI, dismantle Roe v Wade, disenfranchise Black voters and crack down on immigration rubs a lot of people the wrong way.'
The Bezoses are no strangers to controversy. Their lavish June 2025 Venice wedding was met with protests, while Bezos' privatised space endeavour, Blue Origin, which saw Sánchez Bezos go to space with an all-female crew in April 2025, was derided as 'gluttonous.'
