Taraji P. Henson is not being subtle about her Met Gala confusion.
The ‘Empire’ actress appeared to call out celebrities attending the 2026 Met Gala, which has Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez-Bezos attached as honorary co-chairs. Henson has been a familiar face at the annual fashion event in recent years, but this time, she decided to sit it out. Her issue appears to be less about fashion and more about who is tied to the room.
Taraji P. Henson Questions Met Gala Attendees
Henson reacted to an Instagram video from influencer Meredith Lynch titled “A warning for celebs.” In the video, Lynch criticized stars who may attend the event while wearing “ICE Out” pins or making anti-ICE statements.
Lynch argued that Bezos, because of his support for President Trump, is “part of the reason we’re in this mess.”
Henson jumped into the comments with three clapping emojis. Then she made her point even clearer. “I am so confused by some ppl that are going. I am just like WHAT ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!” she wrote.
That comment quickly rose to the top after Lynch’s followers pushed it up with likes. The reaction was blunt, loud, and very Taraji.
Bella Hadid Also Backed The Message
Henson was not the only major name showing support. Bella Hadid also liked Lynch’s video.
Hadid, whose parents are immigrants, has spoken out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before. Earlier this year, she posted about a Jan. 25 video showing ICE officers clashing with protesters.
“This is outrageous, dangerous, horror movie-like behavior,” Hadid wrote at the time. “What is happening in America right now is unbelievable. It’s the only word I can think of to describe this monstrosity.” That context makes her like on Lynch’s post feel pointed. She has already made her position clear.
Zendaya Skipped This Year Too
Another major absence this year appears to be Zendaya.
Her longtime stylist Law Roach attended the Met Gala without his famous client. For a star whose Met Gala appearances often become the night’s biggest fashion talking points, that is a major no-show. “It’s one of the first times in my career that going to the Met is about me,” Roach said.
The Met Gala is usually where celebrities play the long game. Fashion, status, alliances, and optics all meet on one staircase. This year, Henson seems to be asking a harsher question: what does it mean to show up when the politics around the event are already this loud?
