Sarah Paulson’s 2026 Met Gala look is getting attention, but not exactly the kind she may have hoped for.
The “Bird Box” actress arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing a bold “blinded by the money” dress, amid growing calls for the star-studded event to be boycotted over its reported Jeff Bezos-linked sponsorship.
Some social media users labeled the moment the most “hypocritical celebrity stunt of the year,” while others slammed the actress as “delusional,” arguing that her presence at the elite gathering undercut the message of the dress.
Paulson arrived at Monday night’s Met Gala in a frothy gray tulle gown from Matières Fécales’ A/W 2026 collection, fittingly titled “The One Percent.” She completed the daring ensemble with a dollar bill mask worn over her eyes.
Explaining the message behind Paulson’s outfit, Matières Fécales described the look as political fashion at its boldest.
“Fashion is Art and at its most daring, Political,” the fashion house said.
The brand’s Instagram account also leaned into the anti-wealth message, sharing a post by a cultural commentator who praised Paulson’s look as a pointed dig at the ultra-rich and the staggering amount of wealth and resources they control.
Paulson Accused Of Missing The Point
Paulson’s apparent critique of the one-percent elite did not land with everyone.
Instead, many critics argued that the actress appeared to be blinded by the irony of her own fashion statement. Pointing to her reported $12 million net worth, some social media users claimed the actress is hardly outside the demographic her outfit seemed to be mocking.
Others questioned how effective the message could be when delivered from inside one of the year’s most exclusive celebrity events. The backlash also comes as other celebrities seemingly chose to distance themselves from the event altogether, per Cosmopolitan.
Sarah Paulson’s Statement Also Gets Roasted Online
The online reaction was even harsher, with many social media users calling Paulson’s outfit “delusional” and “hypocritical.”
One X user argued that the actress’s message fell flat because she delivered it from inside the very world she appeared to be criticizing.
“There’s something almost poetic about critiquing elite blindness while seated comfortably inside it,” the user wrote. “At a certain point, it stops being commentary and starts becoming set design.”
Another critic dismissed the look as “self-aggrandizing faux symbolism,” adding, “It’s not the flex she thinks it is.”
Others were even more direct. “Hypocrisy on display,” one person wrote. Another took a swipe at her reported wealth, writing, “Rich millionaire, Sarah Paulson, what a stereotypical hypocrite from the left. Give away half of your wealth, and I might consider you, not a hypocrite.”
The Met Gala Has Faced Similar Backlash Before
Paulson’s outfit also drew comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s headline-making 2021 Met Gala appearance, when the congresswoman wore a white gown emblazoned with the message “Tax the Rich.”
That moment sparked its own wave of criticism, with many calling it “out of touch” given the event’s famously steep ticket price. Critics also pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez attended as a Vogue guest and reportedly did not pay for her own seat.
The Met Gala faced similar scrutiny again last year, when critics questioned the optics of celebrities celebrating high fashion and extreme wealth while global crises, including the war in Gaza, dominated headlines.
Some Fans Came To Sarah Paulson’s Defense
Not everyone agreed that Paulson’s Met Gala look was hypocritical, however.
Some social media users argued that the actress was in a strong position to make the statement, especially given her reported $12 million net worth, which is still nowhere near the staggering wealth held by billionaires.
“Not sticking up for the performative BS, but you need to realize that if she made 12 million every year, it would take 66,000 years to equal Elon’s net worth. It’s not even comparable,” one user wrote.
Another person argued that Paulson’s wealth should not be placed in the same category as the ultra-rich individuals her outfit appeared to criticize.
A third defender also pushed back against comparisons between the actress and the extremely wealthy, saying, “If you think being worth 12 million dollars is anywhere near the .01%.. ” You, my friend… are retarded.”
