5 bizarre rules that all celebrities at the Met Gala must follow
Some of the world's most famous faces have to follow some pretty bizarre rules if they have a chance of getting inside the Met Gala.
The star-studded event is the biggest event in the fashion calendar, inviting Hollywood's VIPs from across the world to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in their best attire.
This year's theme is 'Black dandyism,' aligning with the Costume Institute's 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' exhibition from May 10 to October 26.
And while the dress code has a little leniency, encouraging attendees to make it 'Tailored for You' with some generous wiggle room for interpretation on the menswear front, there are some pretty intense rules to follow while in attendance.
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Let’s take a look at the five strangest rules they have to follow…
Age limit
If you are under-18, then too bad, you've got no chance of getting in.
This rule was first brought in back in 2018, with that year's theme being 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination'.
A Met Gala spokesperson later confirmed the age restriction was introduced as 'it's not an appropriate event for people under 18'.
No selfies allowed
While thousands of photographs are taken at the Met Gala as attendees show off their glitz and glam outfits, some celebs will be pained by the fact that they can't take their own snaps, because selfies are strictly banned.
Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour issued that ban back in 2015 in the hopes of keeping the inner workings of the Met Gala top secret.
"The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala," read a notice from Wintour, per The Independent.
However, some rebellious few have broken the rule over the years, as there's always one who sneaks a cell phone to the toilet for some very discreet selfies that later find their way onto social media.
Smoking is not prohibited
Thirdly, no smoking is allowed at the event, which perhaps isn't as surprising to a modern 2025 audience.
But the rule came after the likes of Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson, and Marc Jacobs were pictured smoking in the bathrooms at the 2017 event, with guests the following year reminded that it's 'illegal to smoke in the museum'.
It should be noted that smoking indoors in New York City has been banned since 2003, and prior invitations to the event have reiterated this.
No onion dishes
There are certain foods that are banned from the event, and not for any real rhyme or reason other than the way it could pose a red carpet disaster.
According to the New York Post, things like parsley could be dangerous - if it gets stuck in anyone's teeth before photos.
Onion and garlic are also banned in order to prevent bad breath, and other dishes which could easily spill onto dresses.
There's a strict seating plan
If you're stuck next to your arch-nemesis at the Met Gala, tough. Because you aren't allowed to move seats.
Seating arrangements are strictly maintained, with a lot of 'power-brokering' in the planning beforehand.
"A lot of thought goes into who sits next to who, if they sat together last year, if they've sat next to each other at other events, so much goes into it, it's shocking," Sylvana Ward Durrett, director of special projects at Vogue, said in the 2016 documentary The First Monday in May.
...That's a lot of rules to follow considering attendees are coughing up a fortune to get in!
Liv Bridge