Bloody Met Gala Photo Has Been Altered
The Claim
A photo shows an artist who attended the 2021 Met Gala covered in blood.
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Emerging story
After this year’s Met Gala on September 13, social media users discussed everything from Dan Levy’s puff-sleeved suit to a picture circulating of the bloodied back of someone walking away from the camera, and towards an ascending set of red-carpeted stairs. Comments have ranged from, “AmeriKKKa has indigenous blood on their hands,” to a user offering a story: the image is of an artist named “brown,” who is “not necessarily Native,” and is making a commentary on this year's Met Gala's theme, “American Independence.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s analysis discovered that the image was manipulated. The background, including photographers, was a viral Beyonce meme in 2018.
The foreground image was taken from a collection by photographer Sebastian Hernandez. Hernandez was photographing performances that took place on Fire Island, New York, in 2019. Hernandez also owns the Instagram account that originally posted the manipulated image.
The Met Gala is known for its controversial, couture fashion. Past attendees include Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Cher, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Princess Diana. Past controversies included a night celebrating China, where only Rihanna wore a Chinese designer, and in 2014, a man wearing a hot pink, thong mankini crashed the party.
