Sarah Paulson sparks fury with 'tone-deaf' Met Gala outfit as millionaire actress takes political stand: 'Champagne socialism!'

Sarah Paulson has been branded "tone-deaf" and "oblivious" after the actress donned a rather pointed outfit at Monday's Met Gala.

The American Horror Story star turned heads when she arrived sporting a one-dollar bill as a blindfold, dubbing her ensemble "the one percent."

The 51-year-old Emmy-winning actress paired the provocative accessory with a grey tulle gown from indie label Matières Fécales's autumn 2026 collection, completing the look with white opera gloves and Boucheron jewellery.

Close-up photographs revealed small holes punctured through the currency, allowing Ms Paulson to see where she was going as she walked up and down the red carpet.

While Ms Paulson was hoping her attempts at criticising America's wealthy would strike a chord with those watching at home, it's safe to say she missed the mark with many.

Several took to social media to blast Ms Paulson's attempts at criticising the one percent, with some noting the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual fundraiser carries a £100,000 entry fee.

"This is the worst one at the Met Gala," one X user criticised. "Sarah Paulson’s dollar bill mask is some sort of protest against the 1% of which she is a part.

"If you want to protest the rich don’t go to an event that costs $100k per ticket. And give your $12m net worth away."

A second also pointed out: "Sarah Paulson wears look 27 from indie brand Matieres Fecales' fall 2026 collection, a collection designed with the ethos of caricaturing and mocking the ultra-wealthy. Bold choice to wear this to a gala chaired by one of the richest men on earth."

"@MsSarahPaulson is not very creative; she just follows the crowd like every other liberal Hollyweird lemming," a third fumed, while a fourth hit out: "Tell us you're oblivious without telling us you're oblivious."

"Champagne Socialism at its finest," another weighed in, while a sixth questioned: "Isn't she part of the 1%? These people are such tools."

And another slammed: "A multimillionaire in an outfit that cost more than an average person’s car making a statement that people slightly wealthier than her are 'the problem.' Brave!" (sic)

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Ms Paulson's decision to take a stand was likely sparked by the fact that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez served as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs of this year's event.

Meanwhile, the actress herself reportedly possesses a net worth of approximately £12 million.

However, Ms Paulson's supporters mounted a firm defence of the actress, with many insisting her outfit embodied the spirit of fashion's most theatrical evening.

"This is performance art, not a dress," argued one X user, praising the "conceptually unhinged" ensemble. "The dollar bills are doing actual commentary, blindfolded by money, the gown is haute couture excess, and she's standing on the Met carpet staring back at us through cash."

The same defender contended her look was "the only fit on the carpet that's actually saying something about the carpet."

Ms Paulson was far from the only star to cause controversy with an eye-catching look on the gala's red carpet.

Singer Sam Smith had to be helped across the red carpet in a rather striking ensemble, while Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson took a stand against masculine stereotypes with his skirt look.

Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry, Margot Robbie, and Zoe Kravitz were among the other big names who put on showstopping displays on Monday evening.

The gala was co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams alongside Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour.

The accompanying exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton, will run from May 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, at the museum's new Condé Nast Galleries.