Zendaya and Meryl Streep are reportedly among the celebrities skipping this year's Met Gala, scheduled for Monday, 4 May, amid controversy over Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez serving as lead donors and honorary co-chairs.
According to Elle, Zendaya will miss the 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 turned down a co-chair role due to Bezos and Sánchez's involvement. However, 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.'
Despite Streep's absence, her daughters Grace and Mamie Gummer will attend, along with her The Devil Wears Prada 2 co-stars Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Zendaya, a Met Gala regular who co-chaired in 2024, has not commented.
The Bezos sponsorship has sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of buying influence. Posters organised by the British activist group Everyone Hates Elon have appeared near the Metropolitan Museum, reading: 'Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by the firm that powers ICE' and 'Boycott the Bezos Met Gala.'
Vogue editor Anna Wintour defended the couple's involvement, telling CNN in November: 'I think Lauren is going to be a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event.' This year's dress code is 'Costume Art,' and co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams.
