Zendaya and Meryl Streep are reportedly among the celebrities skipping this year’s Met Gala, scheduled for 4 May, as controversy surrounds Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez’s role as lead donors and honorary co-chairs.
According to Elle, Zendaya will not attend the New York event to take a break from the spotlight after two near-simultaneous press tours for 'The Drama' and 'Euphoria' season three. The Daily Mail reported that Streep is rumoured to have turned down a co-chair role due to Bezos and Sánchez’s involvement.
Streep’s representative told The Independent: “Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna, and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.” However, her daughters Grace and Mamie Gummer are attending, as are her 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' co-stars Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, according to Page Six sources.
The sponsorship by Bezos, who recently funded a film by First Lady Melania Trump via Amazon MGM, has sparked backlash. Posters near the Metropolitan Museum read: “Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by the firm that powers ICE” and “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala,” organised by the British activist group Everyone Hates Elon.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour defended the couple’s involvement, telling CNN: “I think Lauren is going to be a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event.” The dress code for the gala is “Costume Art,” with co-chairs including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams.
