Anna Wintour is currently under scrutiny for her multi-million dollar partnership with TikTok to sponsor the Met Gala. This deal, which will see TikTok CEO Shou Chew join Wintour on the red carpet, comes at a time when President Biden has signed a bill that could potentially lead to the ban of the Chinese social media platform. Despite this, the event on May 6 will proceed as planned and will be hosted by Wintour along with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth.
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, had already committed significant funds to sponsor the Met Gala before the ban became law. Although some insiders consider this deal a PR disaster due to the ban, there are conflicting opinions about whether Wintour should have canceled the sponsorship. Additionally, the issue is further complicated by the fact that many of the gala attendees have ties to music giant Universal, which had recently banned its artists’ music from TikTok.
While some believe having TikTok as the sponsor of the Met Gala is insulting, TikTok sources remain optimistic that negotiations with Universal will lead to a deal soon. Despite the looming threat of the app being banned in the United States, TikTok executives believe they can win a legal challenge to block the legislation. The company has consistently argued that it is not a security threat and that it has taken measures to ensure data protection.
The potential politicization of the event, given the current ban on TikTok, is a concern for some longtime Met Gala attendees. The annual event raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which was renamed in honor of Wintour in 2014. Wintour, a known Democratic supporter, has previously hosted political fundraisers at her home. Tickets for the Met Gala are highly exclusive, with prices starting at least $50,000 for a single ticket and $300,000 for a table of 10. This year’s theme is inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story “The Garden of Time.”
Despite the controversy surrounding TikTok as a sponsor, attendees believe that the affiliation was necessary due to the platform’s financial contribution and its significance in the fashion world. Sources at Condé Nast and the Met have expressed support for TikTok as a sponsor, praising the company for its generosity and partnership. This positive sentiment contrasts with the concerns raised by some attendees about the potential reputational impact of the TikTok sponsorship. However, these concerns are seen as temporary, as Wintour is recognized as a resilient figure in the industry.
Representatives for Vogue, The Met, and Wintour have not provided comments on the situation. Despite the initial backlash and embarrassment over the TikTok partnership, many believe that Wintour’s reputation will withstand the scrutiny. As preparations continue for the Met Gala, the focus remains on the charitable contributions that TikTok has made to the event and the excitement surrounding one of the most prestigious gatherings in the fashion world.
