Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Are 'Trying to Rebrand Wealth as Culture,' PR Expert Says — But Young Audiences Aren't Buying It
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez faced backlash as critics questioned their attempt to shape culture.
May 5 2026, Published 10:51 a.m. ET
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are under fire as their growing influence in elite spaces, including the Met Gala, sparks backlash, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
A PR expert said the couple's attempt to position themselves at the center of culture is falling flat with younger audiences.
'Wealth Is Being Rebranded as Culture'
A PR expert warned the couple risks coming across as 'unchecked wealth trying to buy cool.'
Media strategist Mike Fahey didn't hold back in his assessment of the couple's growing presence.
"Two weeks ago, reports surfaced that Bezos was approached to help buy back Kylie Jenner's cosmetic line. Their wedding was one of the biggest star-studded events of the last few years," Fahey told RadarOnline.com.
"To me, this signals that power and wealth are trying to rebrand themselves as culture. But younger audiences are more skeptical than ever. To them, this can read less like 'iconic power couple' and more like 'unchecked wealth trying to buy cool,'" he added.
Fahey also touched on the inevitability of backlash with the Bezos couple being part of such a beloved event: "When you put someone like Jeff Bezos on a red carpet at the Met Gala in this economic and political climate, backlash isn't a risk; it’s the baseline. Just like their Italian wedding made headlines across the globe. They're a lightning rod for controversy, despite never really doing much in the controversial realm of things. In many ways, their only flaw is being wealthy."
He also added that the backlash was "baked in."
"You're not putting Bezos on that carpet in 2026 without triggering a reaction. The only real question wasn’t if there'd be backlash, but how loud it would be," the expert shared.
Glam Look Mocked Online
Sanchez walked the Met Gala carpet alone despite their role as major donors and honorary chairs.
At this year's Met Gala, Sanchez chose a custom Schiaparelli strapless gown with pearl accents, a design linked by Vogue to the once-controversial Madame X portrait by John Singer Sargent.
"When you stand in front of it now, you see a beautiful woman," Sanchez said. "For me, the image represents how fashion and cultural standards can shift over time. Today, a strap is a strap, but back when Madame X was painted by Sargent, a strap was a scandal."
She completed the look with a pair of 60-carat pear-shaped diamond and pearl drop earrings, as well as a 35-carat Marquise Golconda diamond ring.
Interestingly, Sanchez appeared on the carpet alone despite the couple serving as primary donors and honorary chairs.
Critics Slam 'Plastic' Look
Her Schiaparelli gown referenced Madame X but still drew intense online criticism.
Despite the high-fashion reference and multimillion-dollar styling, Sanchez's appearance quickly became a lightning rod for criticism, with much of the online chatter focusing on her face rather than the gown.
"She likely paid a ton to get this look. The surgery was unsuccessful," one person raged, as another responded, "Not sure which part is more fake. Going with the lips."
A third user went off, "She was so pretty before all the surgeries," while another added, "What's wrong with her face? She used to be hot."
One commentator claimed Sanchez was trying to go for the "plastic" look.
'Panic' Behind the Scenes
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Reports of a fake urine protest stunt raised alarm ahead of the high-profile event.
Before the event began, reports claimed hundreds of bottles filled with yellow liquid — believed to be fake urine — had been hidden throughout the museum, including near valuable artifacts, raising alarm among staff.
"Anna is genuinely shocked by how hostile this has become," a source said. "She never imagined the Met Gala would start being seen as a symbol of excess instead of a cultural institution."
"There was a real panic meeting about messaging," one source said. "Anna wanted new talking points immediately. The tone inside was urgent."
Insiders said Anna Wintour quickly gathered top advisers to respond as backlash surrounding the event intensified.
