Al Sharpton & Taraji P. Henson React Sharply As Jeff Bezos-Sponsorship Rocks Met Gala 2026

Protests have been entrance and heart of the 2026 Met Gala in New York as civil rights chief Al Sharpton defended a high-profile boycotts tied to Jeff Bezos’ sponsorship whereas Taraji P. Henson blasted people who attended the ritzy affair.

Protests and political stress overshadowed the 2026 Met Gala in New York as civil rights chief Rev. Al Sharpton defended a high-profile boycott tied to Jeff Bezos’ sponsorship whereas critics blasted the rising affect of billionaires on tradition’s most unique stage.

Sharpton, clad in a gold pinstriped go well with that matched the night’s “Costume Artwork” theme, made clear he wouldn’t comply with New York Metropolis Mayor Mamdani’s lead in skipping style’s greatest night time. As a substitute, he framed his attendance as a part of an extended battle for illustration.

“That’s his resolution,” Sharpton stated of Mamdani opting out..

“I feel – I needed to be right here, we fought for years, and also you’ve lined it higher than anyone — for variety. So how may I not be right here to help Beyoncé and Venus Williams? So, I don’t care how a lot the billionaires have; they will’t purchase my seat,” he advised native New York’s Spectrum Information.

The remarks underscored a broader cultural conflict surrounding the gala, which this yr is co-chaired by Beyoncé and Venus Williams alongside Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour. Whereas the occasion celebrates style as artwork, criticism over Bezos’ involvement has sparked seen divisions amongst public figures. Donald Trump, for instance, is completely banned from the occasion.

Actress Taraji P. Henson added gasoline to the controversy in a remark reacting to attendees, writing, “I’m so confused by some ppl which can be going. I’m identical to WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”

She additionally reposted a picture highlighting the wealth hole between Bezos and Amazon warehouse staff, amplifying considerations past the pink carpet.

Regardless of the backlash, Sharpton positioned his presence as symbolic. The activist, who made his Met Gala debut in 2025 throughout the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Type” theme, has leaned into the occasion as a platform for visibility amid ongoing debates about variety in elite areas.

“It’s nice to be celebrated on the Met Gala, the premiere gala in style,” Sharpton stated in 2025. “It reveals that we could be dandy and have fun ourselves even once we’re below assault. We is not going to be defeated. We is not going to return. Take a look at the celebs and all of us which have come out tonight. I feel André Talley would have been proud. André Leon Talley would have been proud to see us stroll this carpet within the midst of variety being below assault. We’re nonetheless right here standing robust.”

In the meantime, different high-profile figures are sitting out the occasion with out publicly becoming a member of the criticism. Zendaya is reportedly skipping this yr’s gala, whereas Meryl Streep can even not attend regardless of hypothesis tied to her upcoming movie.

Associated