Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez kicked off Met Gala 2026 weekend in style, hosting an ultra-exclusive pre-party that quickly became one of the most talked-about gatherings ahead of fashion’s biggest night. The couple opened the doors to their New York City residence on Saturday, May 2, welcoming a curated guest list of A-listers just days before the main event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. As honorary co-chairs and primary donors behind this year’s Met Gala, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are already at the center of the action, and their pre-party set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a headline-making weekend.
The intimate gathering drew some major names across fashion, entertainment, and media. Among those spotted were Kris Jenner and Kendall Jenner, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Kris is known to have a friendly relationship with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. In fact, she has previously spent time with the couple at high-profile events, including celebrating her milestone birthday at their home, further cementing their connection within elite social circles.
Others who were spotted at the pre-Met party include Sam Smith, Nicole Kidman, Gayle King, and Nicky Hilton. Also in attendance were fashion heavyweights like Donatella Versace and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.
Date Night Moments Take Over The Party
The pre-Gala event also doubled as a stylish date night for several celebrity couples. Serena Williams attended alongside Alexis Ohanian, while Venus Williams, who is also serving as a Met Gala co-chair, arrived with Andrea Preti.
Anna Wintour was also among the guests, continuing her long-standing presence at the center of Met Gala festivities. While she has stepped back from her role as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after 37 years, she remains deeply involved with Condé Nast and the Met Gala itself. Meanwhile, Chloe Malle has stepped into a leadership position within Vogue.
Inside The Ultra-Secretive Pre-Met Gala Invite
The buzz around Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s pre-party started long before guests even arrived, thanks to a mysterious, eye-catching invitation. According to Variety, the subject line of the emailed invite read, “INVITE: Jeff and Lauren Bezos Invite You.” Inside, the design leaned into a bold, disco-inspired aesthetic, featuring a close-up profile of a face with glittering red lipstick and a slightly open mouth.
The message kept things intentionally vague, teasing just enough to build anticipation. “Pre-Met celebration on May 2 at 8 p.m.,” it read, with the location notably withheld. “Address: to come upon confirmation.”
The secrecy only added to the appeal, signaling that this wasn’t just any party but one of the most exclusive invites of Met Gala weekend.
Jeff Bezos’ Met Gala Role Sparks Protests Across NYC
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s expanded involvement in the Met Gala 2026 has quickly become one of the most controversial storylines leading into fashion’s biggest night. Fresh off their headline-making wedding in Venice, the couple was announced in November 2025 as the primary sponsors of the 2026 Met Gala.
By March 2026, organizers confirmed they would also serve as honorary co-chairs for the fundraiser at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a role previously held by high-profile names like LeBron James, Beyoncé, Tom Ford, Salma Hayek, and Caroline Kennedy.
However, the announcement didn’t exactly come with a splash. Instead, their involvement was quietly referenced in Vogue’s dress code rollout, where they were briefly mentioned as honorary chairs, a move that only seemed to fuel speculation and criticism.
Since then, backlash has grown in New York City, with critics calling out the couple’s influence over such a high-profile cultural event. Protesters have taken to the streets, launching a guerrilla-style campaign that includes posters reading “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” plastered across the city.
Bezos And Sánchez’s Met Gala Roles Spark Debate Over Influence, Power And Amazon Ties
Much of the criticism has centered on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s role at the Met Gala 2026, focusing on questions of influence and perception. With the couple serving as both primary sponsors and honorary co-chairs, some critics are raising concerns about the power they may wield over one of fashion’s most prestigious fundraisers.
Complicating matters further are ongoing conversations surrounding Amazon, including its reported ties to Donald Trump’s administration, an issue that continues to spark debate across both the fashion world and the broader public.