John Galliano Drops Out of Met Gala, Says He 'Remains Fully Accountable for the Pain Caused by My Words' Amid Backlash Over Past Remarks

John Galliano has dropped out of the upcoming 2027 Met Gala exhibition celebrating his work as backlash over his controversial past continues to mount.

The fashion icon acknowledged in a lengthy statement that his past remarks had caused lasting pain.

"After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time," he said in a statement shared on Instagram on Monday, August 31.

The exhibition had been scheduled to open May 3 alongside the annual Met Gala and was expected to spotlight Galliano's decades-long influence on fashion.

Anna Wintour, who serves as a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was going to oversee the project.

"I do not want the debate surrounding me to place the Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute," Galliano continued.

The decision came as critics continued to question the museum's plans to honor Galliano despite his history of anti-Semitic and racist remarks.

Galliano's career was rocked in 2011 after video emerged showing the designer, who had been drinking, making offensive comments inside a Paris bar.

Christian Dior subsequently fired him from his position as the brand's chief designer.

During the incident, Galliano made anti-Semitic statements that included references to Adolf Hitler and comments about Jewish people being killed in Nazi concentration camps.

He also made a racist remark targeting an Asian person.

Galliano stepped away from the public spotlight for roughly two years following the scandal.

In his latest statement, he directly addressed the communities affected by his behavior, saying, "I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry."

"I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture," Galliano said, describing accountability as an ongoing responsibility involving "listening, learning and one's conduct over time."

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced in July that the Costume Institute would feature Galliano's designs.

Galliano's withdrawal followed a New York Times report published August 30, detailing opposition to the exhibition.

Critics included museum donors, politicians and Jewish leaders who questioned the decision to celebrate the designer after his 2011 hate-crime conviction.

Galliano was found guilty by a Paris court of making public insults based on religion, race, and ethnicity in connection with multiple incidents. He received a suspended fine of $8,400 and was ordered to cover damages and court costs.

Following the scandal, Galliano met with Jewish leaders and rabbis and received support from organizations including the Anti-Defamation League.