EVEN the biggest names in Hollywood aren’t exempt from following the strict rules for Met Gala attendees, and there are quite a few.
The annual event’s A-list guests must follow a string of non-negotiable rules implemented by long-running chair Anna Wintour.
Those who don’t comply with the mandatory guidelines could face a lifetime ban from fashion‘s biggest night.
Below are five rules that attendees of the exclusive gala must abide by – no ifs, ands, or buts – for Monday’s Met Gala.
No phones
While many fans look forward to seeing celebrities’ candid Instagram posts from awards shows and major events, there’s no place for that at the Met Gala.
In 2015, attendees reportedly received a notice before the event stating that phones wouldn’t be allowed inside the venue.
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“The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala,” the notice said.
However, some guests have skirted around this rule and snuck selfies in the bathroom.
Kylie Jenner famously posted an “annual bathroom selfie” in 2017, featuring her sisters Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian, as well as other A-list pals.
A$AP Rocky, Paris Jackson, and Sean “Diddy” Combs were among those in the secret picture.
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No smoking
Attendees will also have to refrain from smoking at the gala, though that rule isn’t solely Anna’s idea.
Smoking at the prestigious event is prohibited under New York City‘s Smoke-Free Air Act.
Given that the gala is held every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, that rule has been firmly in place for some time.
However, it was enforced in 2018 after many guests shared photos of themselves smoking in the bathrooms the year before.
These violators included Bella Hadid, Rami Malik, and Dakota Johnson.
After they were called out in an open letter from the Met’s SVP, Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, the museum promised to “take steps to ensure this does not happen again.”
No touching artwork
Touching the artwork is another major offense that could result in violators being banned from the invite-only event for life.
While this is the general rule for museum and gallery visitors, it’s especially important to follow it at the Met Gala.
During a 2023 broadcast of CBS Mornings, Gayle King asked what would surely get someone exiled from the gala.
“Smoking. Smoking in the galleries. Touching the artwork,” replied curator Andrew Bolton.
“Those would be no- nos.”
No guests under 18
Viewers won’t find many teenagers strutting across the Met Gala’s red carpet, as anyone under 18 is not permitted.
This became a hard-and-fast rule in 2018, keeping many well-known young stars off the guest list for several years.
At the time, organizers told The Hollywood Reporter that “it’s not an appropriate event for people under 18” and that it was an executive decision made by Vogue.
Kim Kardashian seemingly tried to sneak her then-9-year-old daughter, North, into the gala in 2023, sparking criticism from fans.
Some fans theorized that Kim was lobbying for an exception to the rule for her daughter.
Regardless of the reality star’s intentions, North didn’t attend the event; rather, she was at the hotel while her mom got ready and in the car beforehand.
No speaking to Anna Wintour for longer than 20 seconds
If anyone thought scoring an invite to the Met Gala meant they’d get some quality time with the Vogue editor-in-chief herself, they’ll be disappointed.
According to Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell, each guest is allotted only 20 seconds to speak with Anna at the top of the famed stairs, and no longer.
This is in order to maintain the event’s strict schedule and flow while ensuring maximum efficiency.
With a 450-person guest list, a firm time limit for the host to greet her guests seems to be the key to the event’s successful operation each year.
Red carpet coverage for the Met Gala begins at 6:00 p.m. EST on Monday on E! and multiple streaming platforms.
