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The biggest names in entertainment, sports, and style are gathering in Manhattan on Monday for the Met Gala, an opulent charity event that this year explores the blurred lines between fashion and art.
Attendees have been directed to dress according to the theme “Fashion is Art,” a concept designed to complement the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s upcoming “Costume Art” exhibition.
The gala remains a premier global red carpet event, highlighted by the highly anticipated return of music icon Beyoncé, who is making her first appearance in 10 years.
Beyoncé serves as a co-chair for the evening alongside tennis champion Venus Williams and actress Nicole Kidman.
The event continues to be curated by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, who has overseen the gala for three decades.
This year’s host committee includes a diverse group of influencers, such as designer Anthony Vaccarello, actress Zoë Kravitz, and stars like Sabrina Carpenter and A’ja Wilson.
While the night serves as a vital fundraiser for the Costume Institute, it has evolved into a massive social media spectacle where celebrities compete to showcase the most extravagant designs.
The 2026 gala has not been without its share of friction, as the appointment of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs sparked public backlash.
An organised campaign has emerged in New York City calling for a boycott, with critics characterising the event as an insensitive display of extreme wealth.
This movement is led by a group known as “Everyone Hates Elon,” which targets various global billionaires.
Despite the controversy, the gala remains a cornerstone of New York culture, having transformed from a high-society dinner into a global media phenomenon under Wintour’s leadership.
