Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe Episode: How One TikTok Controversy Changed the Met Gala Forever
Release Date: May 14, 2025

Introduction: The Evolving Met Gala Landscape

In this episode, Coco Mocoe delves into the transformative relationship between the prestigious Met Gala and the rise of social media influencers. Once the exclusive playground of Hollywood elites and fashion aristocracy, the Met Gala has increasingly intertwined with digital creators, leading to both acclaim and controversy.

The Rise and Integration of Influencers

Coco begins by outlining the Met Gala's gradual inclusion of influencers over the past decade. Beginning around 2015, personalities from platforms like YouTube and later TikTok started gracing the iconic red carpet. This shift was driven by influencers' massive followings and their ability to generate buzz, aligning with the Met Gala's goals of expanding its audience and relevance.

Quote:
“Anna Wintour's tight-lipped guest list at one point included YouTube sensations alongside Oscar winners, TikTok stars beside fashion legends.” [05:30]

Peak Inclusion and Subsequent Schism

The peak of influencer presence at the Met Gala occurred around 2019 when platforms like YouTube were official sponsors. Influencers like Liza Koshy and Emma Chamberlain became fixtures, bringing fresh energy while maintaining a degree of safety for traditional media sponsors. However, by 2024, TikTok took center stage as the official sponsor, introducing a new wave of creators whose rapid fame and often unpredictable behavior began to challenge the Gala's established prestige.

Quote:
“In 2024, TikTok was the official sponsor, which meant that there were even more TikTokers… the Met Gala is not the be-all and end-all of a creator's career, but it’s a significant indicator of where things stand.” [18:45]

The Haley Bailey Controversy: A Turning Point

The episode's focal point is the 2025 controversy involving TikTok creator Haley Bailey. Invited to an adjacent event, Bailey recorded a viral video saying, “Let them eat cake,” referencing Marie Antoinette in a manner that many found tone-deaf amidst global crises like the Gaza conflict. This incident sparked outrage, overshadowing the Gala's actual purpose and leading Vogue and Anna Wintour to reassess the value and risks of influencer partnerships.

Quote:
“Haley Bailey's TikTok 100% overshadowed the entire fundraising that actually went down. I believe in that moment that Vogue felt that the risk versus the reward of working with creators was no longer worth it.” [42:10]

Impact on the Met Gala and Traditional Media

Following the controversy, the Met Gala saw a significant reduction in influencer invitations. The event's online coverage dwindled, suggesting that the absence of influencers may have led to decreased digital engagement. Coco questions whether this strategic withdrawal was intended to preserve the Gala's exclusivity and mitigate future risks associated with influencer unpredictability.

Quote:
“The pearly gates of the gala were locked, were locked shut once more. Besides Kaby Lame and Emma Chamberlain, I do not see any other big creators present on the Met Gala carpet in 2025.” [55:20]

Behind the Scenes: Coco's Personal Journey

Coco shares a candid update about her personal challenges during the week of the episode's recording. From encountering a bedbug infestation while traveling in Mexico to coping with the loss of her longtime family dog, Angel, Coco illustrates the unpredictable nature of life behind the influencer façade. She also announces upcoming speaking engagements at the Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes Lions, while informing her audience of a temporary pause in her Substack content to prevent burnout.

Quote:
“This is the easiest job in the world. Being an influencer, by the way, it's literally the easiest job ever. I will never complain about it, but it's also the type of job where you can't call out sick because no one can do what you're doing.” [12:35]

The Dichotomy Between Creators and Influencers

Coco explores the nuanced differences between creators and traditional influencers, emphasizing the sustainability and authenticity that separate long-term creators from the often transient fame of influencers. She highlights how gatekeepers like Vogue initially embraced creators for their ability to engage audiences without the baggage of major controversies, unlike some influencers who have faced severe public backlash.

Quote:
“Creators are more nimble. They're able to slide from controversy to controversy because they have much less to lose.” [33:50]

The Broader Implications: Gatekeepers vs. Digital Creators

Delving deeper, Coco discusses how traditional media institutions balance the allure of influencers’ massive reach against the potential risks they bring. She cites examples of influencer scandals, such as James Charles' various controversies, which have made traditional gatekeepers more cautious and selective in their collaborations.

Quote:
“It’s just too much. Also, you are equal to who you surround yourself with. And I'm sure that it was a very strategic but also probably emotional decision for like Emma Chamberlain when she stopped aligning herself with the Sister Squad and Hype House.” [49:15]

Conclusion: The Future of Influencers in High Fashion

Coco wraps up the episode by reflecting on the delicate balance between embracing new digital talents and maintaining the integrity of established events like the Met Gala. She poses critical questions about the future trajectory of such collaborations and invites her audience to share their perspectives on whether the Gala's diminished influencer presence will impact its global standing.

Quote:
“Is the viewership always worth the cost? Not always. That is what today's episode is about.” [60:00]

Paid Content Preview: Beyond the Met Gala

For listeners interested in a deeper exploration, Coco teases additional insights available through her Substack subscription. Topics include other avenues through which influencers are bypassing traditional gatekeepers and the psychological effects of the halo effect on celebrity culture.

Quote:
“In the paid portion for the paying coconuts over at Substack, it is going to be about the other ways in which influencers are kind of pushing past gatekeepers.” [65:10]

Stay Connected:
For more insights and exclusive content, subscribe to Coco Mocoe’s Substack at cocomocoe.substack.com and follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Coco Mocoe’s episode, providing an in-depth look at the intersection of influencers and traditional media within the context of the Met Gala.