Key Points
- Bella Hadid has signalled disapproval of the 2026 Met Gala by liking an Instagram video criticising Jeff Bezos and his role in the event.
- The backlash centres on Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serving as lead sponsors and honorary chairs for the fundraiser.
- The criticism is linked to reported concerns over Amazon’s ties to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement through cloud services and data partnerships.
- The online reaction has been interpreted by fans as a sign that Bella may skip this year’s gala.
- Bella has attended the Met Gala five times and is known for her work with Versace and Dior.
- Other high-profile names, including Zendaya and Meryl Streep, are also being linked to possible absences.
- Taraji P. Henson publicly criticised attendees, saying she was “so confused” by some of the people going.
- The controversy reflects wider tensions between celebrity activism, corporate sponsorship and political messaging in Hollywood.
What is happening with Bella Hadid and the Met Gala?
New York (Britain Today News) May 4, 2026 – Bella Hadid has joined the growing backlash against the 2026 Met Gala after reacting on Instagram to criticism of Jeff Bezos, the event’s co-chair and one of its most prominent sponsors. The model’s move has drawn attention because it comes just hours before Monday night’s event in New York, where the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute is set to take place. Hadid’s reaction has been interpreted as a quiet but pointed rejection of the event’s current direction and its political associations.
As reported in the original coverage, Bella’s interaction with the post has been widely read as a sign that she may not attend this year’s gala. The reaction has also intensified discussion about how celebrities balance public activism with attendance at high-profile luxury events backed by major corporate figures. Her stance has become one of the clearest examples yet of the unease surrounding this year’s guest list.
Why is Jeff Bezos facing criticism?
The backlash centres on the decision to place Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos in lead sponsor and honorary chair roles for the Met Gala. Critics argue that the event’s association with Bezos has created an uncomfortable contrast with the political and social causes many celebrities publicly support. The issue has gained traction because the gala is not just a fashion showcase but one of the most visible fundraisers in the cultural calendar.
The controversy has also been shaped by claims about Amazon’s reported links to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement through cloud services and data partnerships. Those allegations have placed the event in a broader political debate, particularly as Donald Trump’s return to the political spotlight has renewed discussion over deportation policies. That context has made this year’s gala feel more charged than usual.
What exactly did Bella Hadid do?
Bella Hadid liked a video posted by Meredith Lynch, who said:
“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.”
That sentence quickly circulated online and became a focal point for critics of the event. Hadid did not issue a formal statement, but the simple act of engagement was enough to ignite speculation.
Fans quickly interpreted the like as confirmation that she may skip the event, with one online reaction reading:
“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, who is reportedly highly involved this year.”
The response underlines how social media interactions now carry as much weight as public statements in celebrity reporting. In this case, a single like has been treated as a meaningful political signal.
How does Bella Hadid fit into this debate?
As reported by the original story, Bella Hadid has increasingly used her platform to speak on political and humanitarian issues, including Palestine and global displacement. That background helps explain why her reaction to the Gala backlash has attracted so much attention. Her supporters view her as someone willing to align her public image with causes that go beyond fashion.
Hadid has attended the Met Gala five times and is widely recognised for her runway work with brands such as Versace and Dior. Her past presence at the event makes any sign of withdrawal more significant, because it suggests a real shift rather than a routine scheduling decision. If she does stay away, it will likely be read as a deliberate statement rather than a personal absence.
Are other stars also distancing themselves?
Bella Hadid is not the only high-profile name linked to possible absence from the event. Zendaya, best known for Euphoria and the Spider-Man franchise, is reportedly not attending, according to the original coverage. Meryl Streep is also said to have withdrawn from a rumoured co-chair role, adding to the sense that some major figures are stepping back.
The reported absences suggest the backlash is not isolated to one celebrity or one post. Instead, it appears to reflect a wider hesitation among entertainment figures who do not want to be seen endorsing the event’s corporate and political associations. The result is a more divided public conversation around a gala that usually tries to present glamour and consensus.
What did Taraji P. Henson say?
Taraji P. Henson openly voiced her frustration with the situation, saying:
“I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”
Her comment captured the exasperation felt by some critics who see the event as incompatible with the political positions many celebrities claim to support. The remark also pushed the debate further into the mainstream.
Her words matter because they reflect a broader unease within Hollywood, where activism, branding and event attendance often overlap. The criticism is not limited to social media users; it is now being voiced by established stars with their own public platforms. That makes the conversation harder for organisers to contain.
Why does this matter for Hollywood?
The Met Gala has always been more than a fashion event, but this year’s controversy highlights how strongly corporate sponsorship can affect celebrity behaviour. Many stars use major public appearances to project values, and any perceived contradiction can trigger backlash. In that sense, Hadid’s reaction is part of a larger struggle over authenticity in public life.
The situation also shows how quickly event culture has become politicised. A gala that once centred on style and status is now being discussed in terms of immigration policy, corporate responsibility and activist credibility. For celebrities, the cost of attendance can now include reputational risk.
What happens next?
With the gala taking place in New York on Monday night, the immediate focus is whether Bella Hadid and other named figures appear on the red carpet. The scrutiny is likely to intensify as arrivals are confirmed and social media users compare guest lists with public statements and online activity. Even silence from the celebrities involved may be interpreted as part of the story.
For now, the key issue is not whether the event will go ahead, but how the backlash will shape its public image. If several prominent stars stay away, the Met Gala could be remembered less for fashion than for the political arguments surrounding it. That outcome would underline just how much influence celebrity activism now has over the meaning of major cultural events.
