What actually happens at the Met Gala? Here’s a look inside

It may be one of the biggest nights of the year, but the Met Gala is also one of fashion’s biggest mysteries.

The annual fundraising event for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most anticipated events on the fashion calendar. It has long been rumored that every visitor must be signed by Anna Wintour herself and so as a celebrity, ascending the famous stairs dressed in a (hopefully themed) designer look is a sign of being on the A-list . .

But what happens after the stars walk the red carpet, complete the obligatory interview with Emma Chamberlain and enter the gala? Scroll on for a peek behind the Gala’s gilded doors as we break down what really happens inside.

What are celebrities doing at the Met Gala?

Celebrities have been known to arrive at the Met Gala via the stairs, arriving at the bottom and standing in front of the camera pit as they make their way to the top.

The event will reportedly begin with a formal meet-and-greet with the hosts at the door, before guests are guided through the Costume Institute’s new exhibit, from which the Gala takes its theme. They will also have time to enjoy themselves and enjoy cocktail hour before moving elsewhere for a formal dinner. As highlighted in the documentary The first Monday in May, the seating arrangement was planned and approved by Wintour himself. The dinner is accompanied by live performances. In the past this has included shows from Kacey Musgraves, Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Lizzo and more.

It goes without saying that among all this, the stars are all standing shoulder to shoulder. Over the years, we’ve been privy to many an A-list bathroom selfie (despite the famous phone ban) shared by celebrities on social media.

Then they all head to the various after-parties organized by brands and other stars throughout the city.

What are people eating at the Met Gala?

In 2021, Keke Palmer alerted the public to the alleged quality of the Met Gala meals when she uploaded a photo of what appeared to be some corn, tomatoes, and risotto, captioning it, “This is why they don’t let y’all have all the food to see.” While Palmer added that she was just joking, it certainly got the Internet talking about the type of meals they might serve at the event, and the Met menu has remained an annual topic of conversation on X in the years since.

Since 2021, the Gala has involved celebrity chefs in meal planning and although the menu changes every year, it is usually fresh and consists of several courses. To give you an idea, Fashion said the 2023 offering included chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon crème fraîche and truffle snow, and Ōra King salmon with vegetable sage, asparagus, pickled strawberries and radish.

According to the New York PostThe use of onion, garlic and parsley is banned for bad breath, as is bruschetta for fear of it getting on a guest’s outfit.

In 2022, Chef Melissa King shared The cut that planning the menu took a few months. She added that there were “definitely a lot of emails”, given the glitterati’s different dietary requirements, and that an alternative vegan option was always available. She also added that the rumor of no one eating at the event is not true, telling the publication, “I definitely saw everyone eating.”

Can anyone go to the Met Gala?

If you’re hoping to contribute to the biggest event of the year, we’ve got some bad news. Unfortunately, the Met Gala is by invitation only.

How much do Met Gala tickets cost?

Although the Met Gala is by invitation only, attendees must still pay for a ticket; it is a fundraiser after all!

The New York Times reports that guests can spend $75,000 for a single ticket or $350,000 for a table. However, celebrities typically do not purchase their own entries. Instead, they are often invited by fashion or technology brands that pay for them.