The Met Gala, an event synonymous with high fashion and celebrity culture, is set to welcome a new face among its prestigious ranks this year. Shou Chew, the 41-year-old chief executive of TikTok, has been chosen as an honorary chair for the star-studded affair, according to a report by the New York Times.
The annual fundraising event, benefitting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, is scheduled for the first Monday of May. With co-chairs like Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Chris Hemsworth, and Bad Bunny, the red carpet is sure to be a star-studded spectacle.
While the Met Gala has historically been a bastion of legacy media and fashion elites, recent years have seen tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Instagram taking center stage as sponsors, the report promptly pointed out. Now, TikTok, the social media powerhouse facing political scrutiny and uncertainty, joins their ranks as a sponsor for the 2024 event. However, the ByteDance-owned company’s financial contribution remains under wraps.
Meanwhile, the report promptly highlighted that Chew’s selection as an honorary chair comes at a crucial time for TikTok. The company, owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, has faced mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers concerned about national security risks and Chinese government influence. President Biden’s recent bill has added further uncertainty to TikTok’s future in the United States, giving ByteDance a nine-month ultimatum to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.
Apart from TikTok’s Chew, Jonathan Anderson of fashion house Loewe will be another honorary chair at the event.
While the extravagant outfits and celebrity appearances grab headlines, the Met Gala serves a significant purpose. This fundraising event is the Costume Institute’s primary source of financial support, allowing them to curate groundbreaking exhibitions, acquire new pieces, and maintain their vast fashion collection. With tickets priced at a staggering $75,000 each, and tables starting at $350,000, the gala raises significant sums to support the Institute’s exhibitions, publications, and operations.
However, gaining entry to this exclusive event is no easy feat. With Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour wielding final authority over the guest list, invitations are reserved for those who epitomize achievement, influence, and beauty in the world of arts and entertainment.
