Iconic MET Gala Selfies Of All Time, Despite The No Phones Rule

The MET Gala is a charity ball that hosts some of the biggest global celebrities. These stars arrive dressed to the nines in quirky and unique costumes, surrounded by the paparazzi clicking thousands of photos. Though these dazzling red carpet photos are posted and published everywhere, there are no personal photos of the celebrities on the red carpet to be found. This is because the MET has a rule that says no phones and no selfies. 

But despite this prohibition, celebrities, throughout the years, have found a way to capture their fun behind the scenes together in group bathroom selfies. This has become a tradition now and as anticipated as the event itself. Most of these selfies are grainy and blurry, but the world's most famous celebrities sneaking in a phone to fashion's most popular event to capture a group photo has made this tradition iconic. So, here are the most iconic MET gala bathroom selfies: 

Kylie Jenner's 2017 selfie that started the trend 

Kylie Jenner captured a moment in MET history when she snapped a bathroom selfie at the MET Gala 2017. The photo showed the billionaire herself, with Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean and many more celebrities. All these stars huddled and squeezed together in the restroom for a selfie created one of the best behind-the-scenes moments of the MET. The photo went so viral that it started a tradition of bathroom selfies. 

The MET Gala selfies of Priyanka Chopra and Kim Kardashian 

India's very own superstar, Priyanka Chopra, stunned everyone with her velvet gown and golden headpiece at the MET Gala 2018. The theme for the year was 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination'. The actress looked gorgeous in her ensemble, which went perfectly with the theme. Chopra looked equally stunning in a blurry bathroom selfie with actress Karlie Kloss and Tiffany Haddish. 

In the same MET Gala 2018, Kim Kardashian also went on a selfie spree with some of the most popular American celebrities. But, the reality TV star's grainy and dark selfie with Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner stole the show. The pixelated photo from Kardarshian's snap story went viral, giving the viewers a peek into the after-party fun. 

Iconic elevator selfie of Justin Theroux at the MET 2019 

American actor and director, Justin Theroux shared an elevator with a bunch of stars and clicked a quick selfie. The photo showed the photographer with Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas, Jennifer Connelly and more. The black-and-white selfie with the stars all dressed up in Louis Vuitton outfits looked wonderfully royal. 

MET Gala 2022 selfie in a party bus on the way to the red carpet 

Over the years, many celebrities have started taking group selfies at the yearly charity ball, but there is one photo that outshines them all. For the MET Gala organised in 2022, a selfie taken by actress, Renate Reinsve was undoubtedly the best. It showed popular celebrities like Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Cynthia Erivo, Emma Stone, and more cosied up inside a party bus en route to the red carpet. All these iconic celebrities on a bus, ready to pose away on the red carpet, made the photo truly iconic. 

Billie Eilish stunned in MET Gala 2023 selfie 

Dressed on the theme 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' for the MET Gala 2023 event, Billie Eilish looked stunning on both the red carpet photos and a candid selfie taken in the restroom. The singer was accompanied by actress Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, and Halle Bailey. The three Hollywood divas also looked equally gorgeous in the selfie. Moreover, the no-smoking sticker on the mirror became an iconic part of the selfie itself.

Another bus ride selfie from MET Gala 2024 

In 2024, Omar Apollo captured another party bus selfie while en route to the red carpet. The photo featured the American singer himself, actor Dan Levy and Mike Faist, creative director Jonathan Anderson and many more. Though not a restroom selfie, this photo is also remembered among some of the best behind-the-scenes MET Gala selfies. 

Deepika Padukone looked gorgeous in a MET Gala 2017 selfie

Deepika Padukone was invited to the MET Gala many times, where she channelled her inner fashionista on the red carpets. And like everyone who has attended the MET, she also followed traditions and clicked bathroom selfies at the event. The actress was clicked alongside model Emily Ratajkowski and popular fashion designer, Prabal Gurung. The three celebrities looked gorgeous in their outfits and pouts. 

Met Gala 2025 selfies are yet to be posted 

As the MET Gala 2025 has started with many celebrities bringing their A-game to the night of fashion, red carpet photos have already gone viral. But fans are most excited to see the behind-the-scenes fun that these celebrities get up to in the event and at the after-party. Bathroom selfies have not been posted yet, but the night is still young. There is much anticipation to see what unique selfies the stars come up with and which one of them becomes the most iconic one of the year. 

Why is there a no-selfie rule at the MET Gala? 

Anna Wintour, the lead chairperson who organises the MET Gala event each year, has enacted a strict no-phone and no-selfie policy since 2015. The reason behind this policy is to keep the event intimate and the exhibition private, which is a significant part of the MET Gala. Celebrities are also encouraged to be distraction-free and enjoy the charity ball. In the documentary The First Monday in May, which showed all the preparations leading up to the gala, Wintour was seen getting annoyed at a guest who could not keep himself away from his phone. 

However, as photos are important since the attendees are dressed in their best, paparazzi are stationed on both sides of the red carpet to capture the stars in their glamorous outfits. Yet, the selfies taken by the top A-list celebrities of the world, dressed to the nines while squeezed together in a restroom for a selfie, make these personal photos more unique and fun. 

What are your thoughts on the Met Gala bathroom selfie tradition? Let us know. 

Also Read: Sabyasachi Vs. Manish Malhotra At Met Gala 2025: Know Which Indian Designer Aced The Red Carpet

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