May 05, (THEWILL) — A protester breached security and rushed the red carpet at the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, before being tackled and arrested by police.
The incident happened outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the event is held.
According to eyewitnesses, the protester pushed through a crowd of fans and media, jumped over two steel barriers, and ran across traffic along Fifth Avenue before reaching the red carpet.
Nearly a dozen police officers intervened and subdued the individual near the photographers.
Fashion designer, Tom Ford, and actress Julianne Moore, were about 20 feet away when the incident unfolded. “Tom instinctively put his arms around Julianne to protect her”, an eyewitness said.
The protester is believed to be part of a group criticising Jeff Bezos and Amazon’s labour practices.
Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, are among the event’s sponsors and honorary chairs. Sánchez Bezos had already walked the carpet earlier, while Bezos was not seen at the time of the incident.
Other protests, including those linked to activist group “Everyone Hates Elon”, took place near the venue, with demonstrators holding signs criticising billionaire wealth and corporate practices.
Despite the disruption, the event continued as planned. The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.
This year’s theme, “Costume Art”, explores the relationship between fashion and the body through the museum’s collection.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
