Met Gala tickets have gone way up—here’s who’s paying the price.

The first Monday in May is almost here, and with it comes the highly anticipated 2023 Met Gala, known as fashion’s grandest event of the year. Celebrities from all corners gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art adorned in exquisite outfits, enjoying dinner and, of course, strictly refraining from breaking the rules by taking selfies in the bathroom. Securing a spot on the Met Gala guest list is immensely coveted, not only for the opportunity to wear stunning designer gowns but also for the chance to make a bold fashion statement, perhaps even donning a chandelier costume, a la Katy Perry.

But the Met Gala doesn’t come cheap! Tickets are extreeeeemely expensive, and prices go up every year. Here’s who’s footing the bill (hint: not the celebs).

First Up, Can the General Public Buy Tickets to the Met Gala?

😂😂😂😂😂, no. The Met Gala is invitation only, and Anna Wintour is in charge of the guest list…to the point where even if a designer/brand spends the money to buy an entire table, Anna still dictates who they get to invite.

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How Much Do Met Gala Tickets Cost?

Tickets for this year’s Met Gala are purportedly priced at $50,000 each, while purchasing an entire table comes with a hefty price tag of $300,000. Despite the steep cost, attendees enjoy numerous perks, including an advance preview of the museum exhibit, cocktails, dinner, and access to what is undoubtedly the most exclusive party of the year.

The reported increase in ticket prices for the 2023 Met Gala has led some regular museum donors to reconsider attending. According to a source cited by Page Six, these donors already contribute significantly, making the increased ticket cost burdensome. However, another source highlighted the high demand for tickets, suggesting that for every person who opts out, numerous others are eager to take their place. Ultimately, the decision may come down to whether Anna Wintour, the event’s organizer, deems these prospective attendees suitable for the gala.

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So…Do Celebrities Pay for Met Gala Tickets?

I mean, it’s happened before. Back in 2012, Page Six reported (although the story has since been removed…) that Kate Upton dropped $25,000 to attend the Met Gala and allegedly wrote Anna a check while meeting with her at the Vogue offices.

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It seems that some designers or brands are opting out of purchasing tables for this year’s Met Gala due to reservations about adhering to the theme honoring Karl Lagerfeld. According to Page Six, these entities may feel that Chanel’s themes are already iconic and distinct, making it challenging for other brands to align with the tribute. The source questioned how other brands would interpret and incorporate the theme into their own identities.

As one source put it, “Chanel themes are so iconic. Other brands have their own identity. What are they going to do?”

Kay, but Who Pays for the Clothes?

Celebrities work directly with designers to create their looks (or pull from archives), so nope: No one is forking over a buncha money for couture. They’re fully just out here wearing it for free!

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Does Everyone Get to Walk the Carpet?

Whether you’re a celebrity or a rich donor, anyone with a ticket to the Met Gala gets to walk the red carpet. Which can apparently be somewhat awkward next to all the A-listers doing their thing.

Cameron Silver expressed to Page Six in 2017 that while everyone walks the red carpet at the Met Gala, lesser-known guests often experience a lack of attention. He described the experience of walking the stairs as a non-celebrity as demeaning, noting that despite looking amazing, individuals who are not recognizable enough to the paparazzi receive little attention. This lack of recognition, according to Silver, can be bruising to one’s ego.

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On that note, excuse me while I change into sweats and continue to judge everyone’s looks from my couch while surrounded by pizza.