The Met Gala, which is hosted by Vogue, the iconic fashion magazine, has a history of accepting sponsorships from tech giants, despite the fact that these companies have posed threats to traditional media outlets. Over the years, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Instagram have been involved as sponsors of the event. In 2024, TikTok, a social media powerhouse facing political challenges in the United States, is one of the sponsors of the event. The CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, is expected to attend the gala as an honorary chair, alongside other notable figures like Anna Wintour, the editor in chief of Vogue.
Despite facing scrutiny from lawmakers over national security concerns, TikTok continues to hold a significant cultural influence, especially among the younger generation. The app has become a major force in the world of fashion, providing a platform for creators to showcase their work. Mr. Chew, although less recognizable than other co-chairs of the event, wields power as the CEO of TikTok alongside luxury fashion brand Loewe. The financial contribution of TikTok to the Met Gala is undisclosed, but similar sponsors have contributed around $5 million in the past.
Shou Chew’s background and rise to the top of TikTok shed light on his trajectory from an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces to a finance executive at companies like Goldman Sachs and Xiaomi, before ultimately joining ByteDance as their CFO in 2021. After taking over as CEO of TikTok, he faced challenges from U.S. lawmakers and was even questioned by Congress over his ties to China. Nevertheless, he has managed to gain popularity on TikTok and was thrust into the limelight following a high-profile appearance at a Congressional hearing.
Despite his relatively low profile outside of the tech industry, Mr. Chew has made efforts to engage with the public through social and traditional media. His appearance at the Met Gala is seen as part of TikTok’s charm offensive to change public perceptions of the company. As a major sponsor of the event, TikTok’s presence at the gala reflects its importance in the cultural and fashion spheres. Mr. Chew’s partnership with Vogue and Anna Wintour suggests a strategic move to further establish TikTok as a global player in the world of social media.
The transition from a finance executive to one of the tech industry’s key figures has been a remarkable journey for Shou Chew. His marriage to Vivian Kao, a prominent figure in her own right, and their family’s private lifestyle add an intriguing element to his public persona. Despite facing challenges in his role as the CEO of TikTok, Mr. Chew’s appearance at the Met Gala signals the company’s desire to align itself with global fashion and cultural events. As he steps into the limelight at the gala, Mr. Chew’s choice of outfit from Ralph Lauren underscores his evolving role as a prominent figure in the tech and fashion industries.
Overall, the sponsorship of the Met Gala by TikTok and Shou Chew’s attendance at the event symbolize the company’s efforts to navigate challenges and carve out a space in the cultural landscape. With a background rooted in finance and a trajectory that led him to the top of one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, Mr. Chew represents a new wave of leaders shaping the intersection of technology and culture. His role as an honorary chair at the Met Gala highlights TikTok’s influence in the fashion world and its ongoing efforts to overcome political hurdles while staying relevant in the eyes of consumers.
