According to The Hollywood Reporter, all the guests were given a notice before entering the event. “The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala,” the notice said. “It has solely to do with guests’ security and enjoyment of the event.”
Although it is not clear why selfies were banned, THR reports that a source close to Vogue said it might have had to do with a documentary being made about the gala theme, “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Although the Chinese government has been in the news for blocking social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google Plus, there’s no indication that this selfie ban has anything to do with that.
Those potentially on Wintour’s bad side include Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry, who all have uploaded their Met Gala selfies to Instagram. According to VH1’s The Gossip Table, a Vogue insider said, “Anna is very aware of all the celebrities who ignored her request. She does not know what she’s going to do yet, but she’s deciding.”
While Wintour isn’t active on social media, she isn’t against this digital medium, as she has made select appearances through Vogue’s Instagram and Twitter accounts. Unlike the rule-breaking celebrities, Wintour chooses to interact with fans in other ways. We wish Bieber, Kardashian, and Perry the best of luck, but Wintour does have a sense of humor, as seen in this Late Night with Seth Meyers skit, so she may end up doing nothing.
