The announcement of Bezos and Sanchez's roles has drawn criticism, with protest posters calling for a boycott of the 'Bezos Met Gala' appearing on lampposts and billboards in Manhattan, according to reports. The posters are pasted on the boarded-up entrance of the now-closed Daona Deli near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as reported by multiple sources. They accuse Jeff Bezos of worker exploitation, tax avoidance, enabling ICE, and backing Trump, based on claims from the posters. In 2023, three Amazon delivery drivers claimed in a lawsuit they were forced to urinate in bottles and defecate in dog waste bags due to Amazon's demands, according to the lawsuit. There is also talk of a protest on the night of the Met Gala aimed at humiliating and ridiculing Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, according to sources.
Lauren Sanchez's fashion profile has been elevated through her connections with Vogue. Anna Wintour said she values the 'energy' Sanchez would bring to the role of honorary chair, as reported. Sanchez attended the Met Gala in 2024, where Wintour advised her on an outfit, and she landed the cover of Vogue with her wedding last year, according to sources. She was at Paris fashion weeks last autumn and this spring with Jeff Bezos, further cementing her presence in the fashion world, as reported.
Sanchez has actively shaped her public image, sitting down with the New York Times for a profile to publicize her fashion coming-of-age, according to the Times. The New York Times article about her is headlined 'Someone has to be happy. Why not Lauren Sanchez Bezos?', as per the publication. This campaign aligns with her growing role in high-profile events like the Met Gala.
In response to allegations about working conditions, Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson said Amazon encourages delivery service partners to support drivers with breaks and restroom facilities, according to his statement. The current status of the 2023 lawsuit against Amazon regarding driver working conditions is not publicly known.
The 2025 Met Gala is set to take place on May 4. This year's event marks the first in Anna Wintour's new role as Vogue's global creative director and chief content officer for Conde Nast. The official response from Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, Amazon, or the Met to the protest posters and backlash remains unclear.
Amid this brewing controversy, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are currently hiking in the Galapagos Islands, according to multiple reports.