Jewish CEO urges Met chiefs to drop Galliano Gala theme
The Anti-Defamation League's CEO met with Met Museum leadership to urge cancellation of the controversial John Galliano-themed 2027 Met Gala before the designer withdrew.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, sat down for breakfast with Max Hollein, head of the Met, at the Loews Regency New York hotel several weeks ago. At least one Met board member also attended the crisis talks.
Sources familiar with the meeting say Greenblatt pressed museum officials to abandon their plans to honor the British designer, who was convicted of making antisemitic and racist statements in France over a decade ago. While the eventual cancellation resulted from multiple factors, Greenblatt emerged as a prominent voice representing Jewish community concerns about the tribute.
A second source confirmed that Greenblatt was urging Met leadership to make what he considered the appropriate choice regarding the controversial exhibition.
Neither the Met, Vogue, nor the ADL responded to requests for comment on the meeting.
Antisemitic Hate Crimes Remain Persistent Problem
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of continuing antisemitic incidents in New York City, which have consistently represented a disproportionate share of reported hate crimes in recent years.
Separate reporting indicates that in May, Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton met with Galliano and several prominent rabbis and Jewish leaders to gauge potential concerns about the planned theme and possibly secure approval for the contentious honor.
Designer Announces Withdrawal
On Monday, the 65-year-old Galliano himself announced he would no longer accept the honor at the annual gala overseen by Wintour. The decision followed widespread backlash after the theme was revealed earlier this month.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Galliano said he decided after careful consideration and consultation that proceeding with the exhibition would not be appropriate at this time. He expressed concern that controversy surrounding him would create difficulties for the museum and overshadow the Costume Institute’s work, while acknowledging that an exhibition celebrating his career would cause pain to some.
The designer referenced his 2010 and 2011 antisemitic and racist remarks made at a Paris bar, for which he was found guilty and fined. He stated he remains fully accountable for the harm his words caused, particularly to Jewish and Asian communities, and continues to feel deep remorse.
Galliano emphasized that genuine atonement cannot be achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition, or single public gesture, but requires ongoing commitment demonstrated through listening, learning, and conduct over time.
Troubling Timing on Holocaust Remembrance Day
The proposed “John Galliano: Horizons” exhibition would have fallen on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, had it proceeded as planned for the first Monday in May 2027.
Reports indicate Met trustees and board members had been working urgently to contain the fallout, considering whether to change the date as donors threatened to withdraw their financial support from the institution.
Wintour praised what she called Galliano’s courageous decision, suggesting it reveals his character. The Vogue editor-in-chief called it the right choice and expressed her full support for both the designer and the museum.
The Met indicated it will announce details about a replacement exhibition at a future date.
With information from New York Post
