Ready for some chai-spilled-on-the-pink-carpet drama? London tried to give us a Met Gala moment with the British Museum Pink Ball, but the universe had other plans. Mid-glam, an activist crashed the stage holding a ‘Drop BP Now’ sign, giving the internet a solid meme drop and hijacking the narrative. Who knew a red carpet could double as a battleground for A-listers and activism?
1. London’s ‘Met Gala’ Moment Gets a Plot Twist
Saturday night was all about couture, chandeliers, and pink vibes, until the party hit pause for some real talk. During a speech by the museum’s chair of trustees, a staff-clad protester boldly held up a ‘DROP BP NOW’ sign, right in front of stunned celebs and artsy royalty. Apparently, this gala was co-chaired by the museum director and a mega arts philanthropist, so, yes, the guest list was serving major FOMO energy. Suddenly, ‘who wore what’ took a backseat to ‘what’s going on?’
Image courtesy Harper’s Bazaar
2. BP Sponsorship: Why It’s Serving Main Character Energy (and Not in a Cute Way)
The museum’s partnership with BP (yep, the oil giant) is a ₹500 crore, 10-year saga that activists just can’t let go. Enter: Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP), who took the protest digital and IRL, demanding the museum ditch BP, rename galleries, and actually set up an ethics squad. For years, UK museums have been told to quit these sponsor ‘situationships’ with fossil fuel brands. Turns out, patrons come with serious baggage. Plus, ‘Drop BP’ graphics projected outside, and crowds were vibing more ‘Billionaire ball, shut it down!’ than ‘kya khoobsoorat raat hai.’
Image courtesy The Guardian
3. Red Carpet Slay—and a Subtle Side-Eye
Don’t let the couture fool you, fashion and protest both had their moment. Between the hot-pink theme (hello, ‘Ancient India: Living Traditions’) and Insta-worthy ensembles, celebs ensured everyone was watching. But then, a singer ad-libbed a not-so-subtle BP dig during their performance, and the whole mood became, ‘Who wore woke best?’ Culture needs cash, but from whom? Kya scene hai, really?
Image courtesy Moneycontrol
4. Parthenon Marbles: The Plot Thickens
Just when you thought the guest list drama was enough, Greece phoned in, literally. The gala set up shop near the iconic Parthenon Marbles, triggering global side-eyes and a stern word from Greece’s culture ministry, which called the whole scene ‘offensive.’ Turns out, using disputed world heritage as a party backdrop is… complicated. The British Museum is juggling not just climate politics, but straight-up international relations.
5. What Was Said (and Side-Eyed) at the Gala
When the protestor made their move, the chair coolly said, ‘Great to live in a democracy,’ and security ushered the moment out, but Twitter was not chilled. The museum’s official word? Fundraisers help everyone connect with history, and global partnerships are a flex, Ghana and Armenia in tow. Meanwhile, pink carpet speeches (and wholesome mom-daughter moments) doubled down on community and art, even as timelines trended ‘awkward silence.’
So here’s the big mood: When culture, cash, and climate collide, even a pink-themed party turns into a national debate. Art 100% deserves support, but there’s always a hidden price tag, so what’s the cost for keeping museums world-class, without climate guilt weighing down the guest list? What are your thoughts?