The Met Gala is the most coveted invitation in fashion, drawing celebrities from Rihanna to Taylor Swift. Yet one Hollywood icon has consistently declined: Meryl Streep. The 76-year-old Oscar winner, famous for portraying Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, has never attended the star-studded fundraiser, and her representative has now revealed why.
A Fashion Icon’s Surprising Confession
Streep’s character Miranda Priestly is the fearsome editor of Runway magazine, a fictional version of Vogue’s Anna Wintour, who chairs the Met Gala. One might assume the real-life actress would relish the chance to walk the famous steps. However, a spokesperson for Streep told Metro: “Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna, and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.”
The statement comes amid reports that Streep was actually invited to be a co-chair for the 2026 gala but turned down the prestigious opportunity over the event’s ties to Jeff Bezos. The Amazon billionaire and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, serve as honorary co-chairs and lead sponsors of this year’s event, sparking backlash online and calls for a boycott.
The Bezos Controversy
The 2026 Met Gala, set for May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams. The theme is “Costume Art,” with a dress code of “Fashion is Art.” But the involvement of Bezos and Sanchez has stirred controversy. Traditionally, the gala relied on luxury brand sponsors; having individuals as primary backers is an unconventional shift that has raised questions about the event’s identity.
An industry insider told the Daily Mail that it is “quite frankly, very hurtful and very disturbing for [the Bezoses] to be the face of this year’s Met Gala,” given the institution’s prestige. The source added: “It feels like a real slap in the face to a lot of people.”
Streep, known for her politically charged stances, has supported Hillary Clinton, described herself as a “man-eating feminist,” and spoken at Democratic Conventions. She also recently backed Jimmy Kimmel after Donald Trump called for his firing. Avoiding association with the Bezoses, who have aligned with the Trump administration, aligns with her values.
Political Tensions at the Met
The Bezos controversy is not isolated. The fashion industry is largely liberal, and Anna Wintour has publicly supported Democratic candidates. Past Met Galas have seen political statements, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “TAX THE RICH” gown in 2021. Having Bezos, worth $259 billion, as a host leaves many “with a sour taste,” per the insider, especially amid global conflicts and economic struggles.
Streep’s absence is a notable snub, especially with The Devil Wears Prada 2 releasing just days before the gala. Yet she chose principle over promotion. As the insider noted, “When we’re in the midst of a war, and there are so many people struggling, it’s not the image everyone wants to see.”
