Chaos erupted Monday at the Met Gala as police apprehended a protestor near the red carpet, according to footage and reports.
The evening began with the usual buzz of fans and media gathering outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City before a witness said they noticed an issue opposite the entrance, according to Page Six. The eyewitness claimed an individual thought to be an anti-Bezos protester “pushed his way through the crowd of fans and press.” The individual reportedly approached from behind a steel barrier on Fifth Avenue’s east side and came within approximately 20 feet of A-list stars, including Julianne Moore, before police took him down.
Footage appeared to show the moment an individual was tackled by the entrance as police rushed in.
The male protester reportedly jumped over the first steel barrier positioned to keep the public separated from the Hollywood stars and rushed between vehicles before jumping over the second steel barrier, according to Page Six. The source claimed almost a dozen police officers tackled the protester before placing him under arrest and escorting him away from the scene.
The New York Police Department said they apprehended a “disorderly male,” 37, who leapt a barricade near East Street and 5th Avenue right outside the museum, The Independent reported. Observers alleged the suspect was 37-year-old Chris Smalls, a labor activist.
Designer Tom Ford is believed to have stepped in to protect Moore as the man allegedly rushed the red carpet, according to Page Six.
“Tom instinctively put his arms around Julianne to protect her,” the witness told the outlet. “He was only about 20 feet away from them.”
“Heated Rivalry” star Connor Storrie was reportedly also on the red carpet when the incident occurred.
Video footage shared widely on social media showed heavy police presence as the suspect was quickly ushered away from the gala. No injuries were reported. (RELATED: Self-Absorbed Stars Attend Met Gala In A Parade Of Fails)
Someone attempts to enter the #MetGala red carpet and is tackled by security. pic.twitter.com/PWLlbNRAzS
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) May 4, 2026
The Met Gala is an annual event that celebrates fashion and haute couture while raising funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. The event is by invite-only, and those extended an invitation spent $100,000 each, or $350,000 for a table of ten, according to CBS News.
Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, were honorary chairs of the 2026 Met Gala and were the lead sponsors of the glitzy affair.