New Yorkers Stage Anti-Bezos Ball as Met Gala Raises $42 Million
Updated
Updated · The Ticker · May 17
New Yorkers Stage Anti-Bezos Ball as Met Gala Raises $42 Million
2 articles · Updated · The Ticker · May 17
Summary
New Yorkers held a “Ball against Billionaires” to protest Jeff Bezos’ presence at the Met Gala and spotlight the city’s housing affordability crisis.
The backlash centered on the gala’s $42 million haul, including a combined $10 million from Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, while seats cost $100,000 and tables $350,000.
Protesters argued institutions like the Met should direct more support to the city hosting them, especially as arts education is being cut and many residents struggle to cover rent and food.
Only 33% of New York eighth graders met state arts-education requirements as of February 2024, and 47% of schools said their arts funding was insufficient.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the gala to focus on affordability, while the event’s proceeds still go entirely to the Costume Institute’s 33,000-piece fashion collection.