At the recent Met Gala 2024, held on May 6 at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, a number of celebrities bent one of the event’s main rules: the no-phone policy.
Celebrities Breaking the Protocol
Stars arrived in breathtaking ensembles that resonated with this year’s theme, “The Garden of Time.” After strutting down the glamorous red carpet, many opted to share moments from the inside gala on social media, defying the established no social media protocol.
Ayo Edebiri’s Fun Moment
Ayo Edebiri captured a charming selfie that featured musician Troye Sivan and her co-stars from the film Bottoms, Nicholas Galitzine, Kaia Gerber, and Rachel Sennot. She shared the snapshot on her Instagram Stories, jokingly captioning it, “Bottoms 2 ft @troyesivan?” The photo also gave a glimpse of the gala’s enchanting stage.
(Screenshot of Ayo Edebiri’s Instagram)
Cardi B’s Birthday Celebration
Similarly, Cardi B took to Instagram Stories to share her experience at the gala. She smiled and waved at her camera while seated at her table. She even filmed basketball star Angel Reese, revealing that the gala coincided with Reese’s 22nd birthday, writing, “Say happy birthday to my one and only.”
Lizzo’s TikTok Dance
Lizzo also joined the social media festivities, posting a video on TikTok from the museum’s restroom. In a lighthearted moment, she showed off her dance moves alongside stars Uma Thurman and Stella McCartney, captioning the short clip with the words, “Met bathroom.”
The Ongoing Debate Over Phone Use
Historically, the Met Gala has enforced a strict no-phone policy to encourage genuine interaction among attendees. This guideline, initially reported in 2015, aims to deter celebrities from spending too much time on their devices. However, high-profile personalities often find ways around this rule, with Kylie Jenner notably snapping a bathroom selfie in 2017.
In a recent article, Vogue reiterated the importance of maintaining this no-phone stance, describing the event as a “secret” experience. Anna Wintour, the gala’s organizer, highlighted the value of conversations during dinners, emphasizing, “It’s often wonderful to hear after dinner, people say: ‘We had the most wonderful conversations.’”
The Dress Code and Exhibit
This year’s dress code, inspired by JG Ballard’s short story from 1962, urged guests to depict fleeting beauty, akin to a wilting garden. Elements from the Elizabethan era were expected, including floral designs and themes of preservation.
The Met Gala also marked the opening of the Costume Institute exhibit named “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” This showcase featured 250 items from the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting pieces that date back to the Elizabethan period.
As the mix of fashion and celebrity unfolds year after year, do you think the no-phone rule should remain in place, or is it time for a change?
