Beyoncé Returns as Co-Chair for Met Gala 2026 Amid Amazon Sponsorship Controversy

Key facts

• The 2026 Met Gala takes place on May 4, the first Monday in May, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
• The theme is 'Costume Art,' derived from the spring 2026 exhibition of the same name, which explores fashion through art history.
• Beyoncé Knowles-Carter returns as a co-chair after a decade-long absence; she last attended in 2016.
• Other co-chairs include Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos serve as honorary chairs and primary funders, a departure from traditional luxury brand sponsors.
• The event raised a record $31 million in 2025 and will inaugurate the new 1,115-square-metre Condé M. Nast Galleries.
• The dress code is 'Fashion is Art,' encouraging guests to celebrate depictions of the dressed body throughout art history.
• The exhibition includes sections on the 'Naked Body,' 'Classical Body,' 'Pregnant Body,' and 'Aging Body,' featuring mannequins of large and disabled bodies.

A Star-Studded Return Amid Controversy

The 2026 Met Gala is here, with around 450 A-list guests expected to ascend the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 4. This year's event, however, arrives under a cloud of criticism and calls for a boycott, not because of declining glamour or budget, but due to the involvement of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as an honorary chair. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter makes her long-awaited return to the gala after a decade, serving as a co-chair alongside actress Nicole Kidman, tennis star Venus Williams, and Vogue's Anna Wintour. The Beyhive has been buzzing since the announcement, marking the first time the Cowboy Carter singer has graced the event since 2016, when she wore a futuristic outfit for the technology-themed year. Joining them is a host committee chaired by designer Anthony Vaccarello and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz, featuring names such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Teyana Taylor, Lisa from Blackpink, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, and Misty Copeland. Additions include actor Angela Bassett and athlete Aimee Mullins.

The 'Costume Art' Theme and Exhibition

This year's theme, 'Costume Art,' is named after the museum's new exhibition, which will display 400 outfits and objects spanning 5,000 years. The exhibition aims to 'celebrate fashion as an art form,' according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Costume Institute. Max Hollein, CEO and director of the Met, previously stated that the goal is to take visitors on a journey through art history, showing connections across paintings, sculpture, and drawings. Curator Andrew Bolton explained that the show is organized thematically by different body types, including the 'Naked Body,' 'Classical Body,' 'Pregnant Body,' and 'Aging Body.' Bolton told the Associated Press that the theme would hopefully put an end to the 'rather obsolete' debate over whether fashion belongs in the art world. 'It's reversing what we've done before,' he said. 'Now we're looking at art through the lens of fashion.'

Dress Code and Red Carpet Expectations

The dress code for the gala is 'Fashion is Art,' with guests asked to 'celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history,' the museum said. The code seems chosen for maximum red carpet flexibility, allowing interpretations referencing Baroque, Impressionist, or Renaissance movements, or even direct nods to specific paintings. Vogue's sixth annual livestream of the red carpet will kick off at 6 p.m. ET on May 4, hosted exclusively by Vogue across its digital platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. Emma Chamberlain returns as red carpet correspondent, while the livestream will be hosted by Ashley Graham, Cara Delevingne, and La La Anthony.

Amazon's Role Sparks Boycott Calls

The presence of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos as honorary chairs has drawn sharp criticism. According to a Met news release, the couple are operating as the main source of funding for this year's event, a departure from the traditional reliance on luxury brand sponsors. This partnership has prompted calls for a boycott, with critics citing Amazon's labor practices and Bezos's wealth. Despite the controversy, the event is not lacking in star power or general appeal. Last year's gala brought in a record $31 million, and this year's event will inaugurate the Condé M. Nast Galleries, created from what was formerly the museum's retail store. The new 1,115-square-metre space marks a significant expansion for the Costume Institute.

Beyoncé's Return and Historical Context

Beyoncé's return is a major highlight. She has attended the Met Gala seven times, wearing Givenchy to five of those carpets. Her debut was in 2008, but most will remember her appearance in 2014, when footage of an elevator fight between her husband Jay-Z and sister Solange was leaked to TMZ. This year, she serves as a co-chair, a role that underscores her enduring influence in fashion and music. The event formally opens the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, which serves as the department's primary source of funding and runs until January 2027. The exhibition includes mannequins of large and disabled bodies, figures often ignored throughout art history, reflecting a broader effort to diversify representation.

What Comes Next: The Night's Stakes

As the gala unfolds, all eyes will be on the red carpet for daring looks, potential baby bump debuts, and meme-worthy moments. The theme's breadth allows for countless interpretations, ensuring a wide variety of ensembles. The controversy over Amazon's involvement may cast a shadow, but the event's fundraising power and cultural significance remain undiminished. The Met Gala continues to be the highest-profile fashion event of the year, and this year's edition will test whether star power can outweigh public scrutiny.

The bottom line

• Beyoncé returns as co-chair after a decade, marking a major moment for the gala.
• The 'Costume Art' theme explores fashion through art history, with sections on diverse body types.
• Amazon's Jeff Bezos as honorary chair has sparked boycott calls, a first for the event.
• The gala raised a record $31 million in 2025 and inaugurates the new Condé M. Nast Galleries.
• The dress code 'Fashion is Art' allows for broad creative interpretations on the red carpet.
• The exhibition runs until January 2027, featuring 400 outfits and objects spanning 5,000 years.