There’s certainly a right time and place for political statements, and people seem to think that the Met Gala red carpet is not one of them.
For context, the dress code for last night’s Met Gala was “Fashion Is Art,” which gave the celebs plenty of room for interpretation.
…While others interpreted the theme a little more loosely (i.e., Nicole Kidman wearing red sequins “to embrace the way in which red has been used in art.”)
And then we have Sarah Paulson, who went in a more political direction on the big night. The American Horror Story alum wore a gray tulle gown from Matières Fécales’s F/W 2026 collection, called “The One Percent.” She accessorized with a dollar bill mask covering her eyes.
Explaining the message behind the look, Fécales wrote on Instagram: “Fashion is Art and at its most daring, Political. [Sarah] is wearing the ‘Blinded by Money’ leather mask and the Destroyed Tulle Debutante Ballgown. The collection was a reflection of the greed and corruption that comes with extreme power.”
Similarly, when asked to share the “name of [her] look” on the red carpet, Sarah replied bluntly, “the one percent” — a term commonly used to describe the richest 1% of ultra-wealthy people, who own a disproportionate share of the world’s money, property, and power.
As you’d expect, Sarah’s look is sparking a lot of conversation online, but the chatter isn’t necessarily positive…
It’s no secret that the Met Gala is one of the most prestigious and exclusive events in the Western world, with tickets costing a reported $100,000 each. And this year’s Gala has been more controversial than usual due to significant criticism over billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, serving as lead sponsors.
So, with all this in mind, some feel that Sarah’s “one percent” statement is “painfully out of touch.” “This isn’t giving what she thought it did,” one Reddit user wrote. “You can’t really make a point about the distribution of wealth while actively attending the Bezos Met Gala.”
For what it’s worth, not everyone hates the look. On Instagram, one user wrote that it “definitely made one of the best statements of the evening considering the company there.”
However, the general consensus seems to be that Sarah’s statement would have packed more of a punch if she’d skipped the event altogether, which plenty of other celebs did.
Amid calls to boycott the “Bezos Met Gala,” former Met Ball attendees like Bella Hadid and Olivia Rodrigo have liked social media posts subtly shading this year’s event. Three-time Met Gala attendee Taraji P. Henson also wrote on Instagram: “I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!”
Now that’s a statement! Here’s where you can read about more of the celebs who seemingly took a stand against the 2026 Met Gala. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
