The chasm between celebrities and the average person has always been glaringly apparent, but last week it seemed to widen into an insurmountable gulf. What started as a fascination with the extravagance and fresh new looks of the Met Gala swiftly transformed into collective disdain, giving way to what is being called “the 2024 Celebrity Blockout.”
@stephaniematto on TikTok
A Slap in the Face: Met Gala Extravagance Mocks Struggling Americans
Allow us to explain why: the United States Census Bureau reports that the average household income in 2022 staggered at $74,580—a 2.3% dip from the previous year. Even more telling is the average annual salary for a single American, hovering at $59,384 in the final quarter of 2023. Shockingly, the lowest salary required for a single adult to live comfortably in the United States is $75,088.
So, when news broke that a solitary ticket to the Met Gala cost $75,000 (more than the yearly earnings of the average American family), and the cost of a table starting at $350,000 (more than four times the average income of an American family)–it ignited absolute fury. With an attendance of at least 400, the Met Gala brought in more than $30,000,000 this year. What a sobering reality check.
While families are grappling with the threat of eviction and agonizing decisions between fueling their cars or feeding their families, the lavishness of events like the Met Gala feels not just extravagant but shockingly out of touch.
A Flaunting of Excess & Wealth to a Struggling Society
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about begrudging success or demonizing wealth. Rather, it’s about recognizing the stark disparities in a society where a privileged few frolic in excess while a large part of the population struggle to make ends meet. It’s a blatant display of tone-deafness—and considering the current economic state of the United States, it’s a slap in the face to those battling the resulting hardships.
The Met Gala debacle drew a stark line in the sand, delineating the “elite” from the rest of the world. It wasn’t just a party; it was a symbol of a deeply entrenched divide.
In the aftermath, social media erupted with calls for change. Ordinary people, weary of being spectators to a spectacle of excess, took to the digital streets to voice their discontent. The message was clear: enough is enough.
“Welcome to the Capitol”
The outcry following the Met Gala was not just about exorbitant ticket prices; it was a visceral reaction to a spectacle that seemed eerily reminiscent of dystopian fiction. Social media users were quick to draw parallels between the event and “The Capitol” from “The Hunger Games” series—a society characterized by its extravagant excesses and stark social disparities.
@sacredrosestudio on TikTok
For those unfamiliar, “The Capitol” in Suzanne Collins’ acclaimed series represents the pinnacle of wealth and luxury in a world rife with inequality. Its citizens indulge in opulent lifestyles, while the majority of the population struggles to survive in impoverished districts. The stark contrast between the elite few in “The Capitol” and the rest of society mirrors the jarring wealth disparity highlighted by events like the Met Gala.
In this light, the Met Gala wasn’t just a glamorous event—it was a manifestation of societal inequities writ large. It laid bare the uncomfortable truth that, much like in “The Capitol,” there exists a class of individuals who live in a world apart from the struggles of everyday life.
A Call for Change – The Celebrity Blockout
In the wake of the Met Gala spectacle, the power of the digital age and platforms like TikTok has never been more evident. The Met Gala, once a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, became a catalyst for global unity and a rallying cry for change. Social media users, motivated by a shared sense of outrage at the stark wealth disparities on display, took to their screens to voice their discontent and have united under a common cause: to block all celebrities.
@rawcritix on TikTok
This call wasn’t simply born because people don’t want to see celebrities’ faces anymore. Today, social media has completely redefined influence and how individuals make their livings. Depending on how much influence someone carries, how many followers they have, and how much engagement they get, they can get paid thousands, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars for a single post.
One of the top earners is Kim Kardashian, who pockets more than $2-million per post on Instagram alone.
And because Instagram has, for some reason, switched its model to pushing content to non-followers over existing followers, one doesn’t even have to be following celebrities like Kim Kardashian to see their posts and contribute to their wealth. Hence, the call for the celebrity blockout.
The people have awoken. And they’re rising up. But we must give credit where credit is due: this protest and call for change wouldn’t have been ignited if it hadn’t been for the tone-deaf event. You’ve reminded us of what’s important in life and what so desperately needs to change. So, to the 2024 Annual Met Gala, we’d like to say on behalf of the public: thank you for your service.
