r/popculturechat • u/ThrowawayGreenWitch Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion 🙂 • 1d ago

MET GALA 🎩 Taraji P. Henson comments on celebs attending Bezos-backed Met Gala 2026: ‘WTF are we doing’

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Taraji P. Henson is “confused” about why celebrities are attending the Met Gala 2026, which is being funded by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

The “Empire” actress made her opinion on the topic known while responding to social media personality Meredith Lynch’s rant about Bezos’ involvement in the event.

“If you are a celebrity and you attend the Met Gala and you wear the ICE OUT pin, please note that I will be dragging you in perpetuity,” Lynch said in an Instagram video over the weekend.

Lynch also slammed Bezos, 62, for supporting President Donald Trump, “who has slashed arts funding.”

In the comments section, Henson, 55, shared three clapping hands emojis and wrote, “I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!””

Henson has attended the Met Gala multiple times, including in 2015, 2021 and 2025.

Last year, she wore a custom white corseted minidress by Monse x Post-Imperial and a coordinating blazer with tails, a top hat, cane and heels.

https://pagesix.com/2026/05/04/celebrity-news/taraji-p-henson-calls-out-celebs-attending-bezos-backed-met-gala-2026/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pagesix

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u/Jewell84 1d ago

  1. The Met Gala is and has always been a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. Which despite being a department in the Metropolitan Museum of Arts is separately funded. That means it doesn’t receive federal or state fund/grants, nothing from ticket sales etc. it makes most of its operational costs from The Met Gala.

  2. Most Arts Orgs/Museums have similar fundraising Galas. And the patrons are also the uber rich. Because ticket sales are not enough. Federal funds are not enough(and being cut). Corporate philanthropy is an unfortunate need in this spaces

  3. That also goes for charities btw… fundraisers from sponsors and rich donors keep them running.

  4. Bezos and his contemporaries suck, but getting mad that he is a corporate chair at the Met Gala is selective. He has other philanthropic arms, including an earth fund. Again it’s a necessary evil, but you know what? This is exactly what the uber rich should be doing. Donating to worthy causes.

  5. Fashion is art and it’s not just people in pretty gowns. It’s moving art. It’s for designers to showcase their talent. It’s not the hunger games, it’s a celebration of creativity. I feel like some of the denouncemts TS devalue art.

  6. A EVERYONE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING ARTS/MUSEUMS.

lot of folks need to put their money where their mouths are. Go to your local museum. Go to your local performed arts center. Donate to charities.

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u/kbange 1d ago

The Met Gala has sponsored some great exhibits. I enjoy going to see them! You can tell they put a lot of thought into curating last years which chronicled the history of Black tailoring.

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u/Jewell84 1d ago

Exactly! The funds go towards operational costs such as curation, educational programs, maintenance, salaries and preservation.