Katherine Schwarzenegger has strong feelings about the Met Gala, the highly exclusive fashion event held on the first Monday of May. As the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Katherine has seen a side of the Met Gala most never imagine—and she liked what she used to say far more than she does now.
Since kicking off in 1948, the Met Gala became famous for its exclusive, invitation-only status—and the only ones getting an invite are ones deemed culturally relevant. However, they can come from all professions. Katherine’s own mother attended over two decades ago and offered Katherine—and the world—a look at just how different things have become. As far as Katherine is concerned, it’s a change for the worse.
Katherine Schwarzenegger slams the Met Gala of today compared to the past
Shriver ushered in the 2024 Met Gala with a throwback of her own. The journalist took to Instagram earlier this week to reminisce about her trip to the exclusive venue. “It’s the first Monday in May and the Met Gala is underway!” she cheered. “Things were a little more low key when I attended back in 2001, but I thought I would share some photos from that wonderful night.”
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Katherine shared the post from her mother to her Instagram Stories. Because Stories last only 24 hours, her share has since expired. But while it was on her page, Katherine’s story included the additional caption, “When the Met Gala was chic and classy.”
Multiple high bars to jump over before and during the event itself
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Not only is the fundraising gala invite-only, but accepting that elusive invitation comes with a significant price tag. Back in 2023, a single ticket cost $50,000. That number has since changed; this year, one ticket came with a price tag of $75,000.
Then there’s the theme to consider. Each year, guests are expected to abide by a special dress code, which results in some of the famously elaborate ensembles that have become synonymous with the event. This year’s theme was A Garden in Time.
The theme for 2001, when Maria Shriver attended the Met Gala, was Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.
The event, held on April 23 that year, brought Shriver into an outfit she’s still fond of to this day. “Not only did I get to wear this beautiful dress,” she celebrated in the caption of her Instagram post, “but I got to attend with both my parents, as well as my cousin, Caroline.”
Do you think the Met Gala has maintained the same quality or changed over the years?
