Actress Rachel Zegler has sparked debate after wearing a T-shirt reading 'Get ICE Out of New York City', showing her support for growing opposition to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency has faced increasing criticism over its immigration enforcement and detention practices.
While many supported Zegler's message, others doubted her actions and pointed to her attendance at the 2026 Met Gala. The event was sponsored by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, with Bezos facing criticism over Amazon's business ties to ICE, including the agency's use of Amazon Web Services.
Rachel Zegler Makes Her Anti-ICE Message Clear
Zegler's T-shirt featured a direct political message calling for ICE to leave New York City. A photograph of the actress wearing the shirt was shared on Reddit on 24 August, quickly attracting thousands of reactions and sparking a discussion about her position on immigration enforcement.
Many commenters welcomed the statement, praising Zegler for using her visibility to speak about an issue that has become increasingly contentious in the United States.
Others, however, focused on her previous appearance at the Met Gala. One widely upvoted comment pointed out that Zegler had attended the event despite the controversy surrounding Bezos, with another user describing the shirt as 'performative'. The contrasting reactions highlight the difficult position celebrities can find themselves in when they use their platforms to comment on political or social issues.
Why the Bezos Met Gala Became Controversial
The criticism directed at Zegler is closely connected to the backlash surrounding the 2026 Met Gala.
Bezos and Sánchez Bezos were named as lead sponsors of this year's event, with the couple contributing $10 million, according to a report. Their involvement prompted protests from activists and Amazon workers, who objected to the billionaire's role in an institution traditionally associated with fashion, culture and philanthropy.
The event also attracted criticism because of Amazon's relationship with US government agencies. Activist campaigns around the Met Gala specifically highlighted Amazon Web Services and its contracts with ICE, turning the event into a flashpoint for broader arguments about corporate power, immigration enforcement and billionaire influence.
Ahead of the gala, protesters placed posters around New York urging people to boycott what they dubbed the 'Bezos Met Gala'. Other demonstrations criticised Amazon's treatment of workers and its alleged connections to ICE.
Zegler Was Among the Celebrities Who Attended
Despite the controversy, Zegler attended the Met Gala on 4 May 2026.
Her appearance attracted considerable attention for reasons beyond the event's political controversy. She wore a dramatic white Atelier Prabal Gurung look inspired by Paul Delaroche's 1833 painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. The ensemble included a blindfold-inspired accessory created by Jennifer Behr and was designed around the gala's 'Fashion Is Art' dress code.
Her red-carpet appearance subsequently became a major topic of discussion online, with social media users debating her exaggerated poses and facial movements. While some viewers mocked the performance, others defended the actress and argued that her presentation was connected to the artistic inspiration behind her outfit.
However, the wider controversy surrounding the Met Gala meant that simply attending the event became a political talking point for some fans.
Critics Question the Timing of Her Statement
For Zegler's critics, the issue is less about the message on the T-shirt itself and more about what they see as a contradiction between the actress' public stance and her participation in the Bezos-backed gala.
Online discussions following her anti-ICE appearance have therefore centred on whether celebrities can separate their personal political statements from the institutions and events they participate in.
Some social media users argued that attending the Met Gala does not necessarily mean endorsing every sponsor or business relationship connected to the event. Others believe that celebrities who wanted to make a strong statement against ICE or Bezos should have declined to attend altogether.
A Bigger Debate About Celebrity Activism
This is not the first time that Zegler has been questioned about her views. The actress faced several controversies during the lead-up to her movie, Disney's Snow White. Her casting drew racist backlash, while she later faced criticism for calling the original 1937 film's romance "weird" and saying the prince 'literally stalks her.' She also said her Snow White would focus on becoming a leader rather than 'dreaming about true love', prompting accusations that she was disrespecting the Disney classic.
The controversy later became more political. Zegler faced criticism over her pro-Palestinian comments, particularly as co-star Gal Gadot publicly supported Israel, and later apologised after making heated remarks about Donald Trump and his supporters following the 2024 election. By its March 2025 release, Snow White had become surrounded by debates over its casting, creative changes and the political views of its stars.
Zegler's latest appearance has consequently become another example of the complicated relationship between entertainment, politics and celebrity culture. While many supporters applauded the actress for making an unmistakable anti-ICE statement, others remain focused on her participation in a Met Gala that was heavily criticised because of its billionaire sponsorship.
