With the 2026 Met Gala theme being announced, many people were blindsided that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s names were attached to the ball held on the first Monday of May. However, new reports have alleged that the deal was thoroughly planned out, and the billionaires have taken most of the reins.
According to Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop, the couple has “seized control” of the Met Gala. “They aren’t just donors,” a longtime Met insider shared. “Jeff is writing the checks. Lauren is making the calls. They’re basically running the Gala.” While Vogue’s Anna Wintour is still the chair of the world-famous gala, sources claim that Sánchez’s influence is strong. “Anna’s shadow is still long,” the insider says, “but make no mistake — everyone is suddenly orbiting Jeff and Lauren.”
The former journalist is reportedly calling the shots by “calling designers, pushing for a glossier, sexier Gala, and positioning herself as the new celebrity whisperer.”
In an interview with the New York Times, Wintour defended the couple as sponsors, saying that Sánchez “loves costumes” and “loves fashion,” referring to the Gala’s theme “Costume Art.” This also isn’t the first time that Bezos held a big position for the Met Gala. Amazon sponsored the 2012 gala, and he served as honorary chair.
The report comes months after rumors spread that Jeff Bezos was gifting Vogue and Condé Nast to Sánchez as a wedding gift. A source told the Daily Mail back in July: “The rumour that Jeff is going to buy Condé Nast is all anyone’s talking about in the fashion industry and inside Vogue,” adding, “Lauren Sanchez is such an unlikely cover star, and the word is that she landed the July issue partly because the Newhouse family want to butter up Bezos. In New York they’re slimming down the business which is exactly what companies do before a sale.”
The source continued, “Anna is said to be the one brokering the deal so that’s why Lauren was put on the cover. Anna has equity in the business so has a lot to gain from a sale.”
Wintour stepped as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, with Chloe Malle was promoted to Head of Editorial Content. Wintour will remain in her global roles as Condé Nast’s Global Chief Content Officer and Vogue’s Global Editorial Director.