Photo credit: Daily Mail
Met Gala bathroom selfie culture surged back into the spotlight after Bhavitha Mandava, 26, posted a toilet-mirror group shot that she shared with her 570k Instagram followers featuring Margot Robbie, Ayo Edebiri, Awar Odhiang and the four members of BLACKPINK.
The photograph, taken inside the museum’s gender-neutral toilets on Monday, shows Margot Robbie at the centre, leaning her head on Bhavitha’s shoulder, beaming broadly and flashing a peace sign, while Bhavitha leads the front row in a playful lineup of faces.
Why the Met Gala bathroom selfie endures
The Met Gala bathroom selfie has been a recurring ritual since Kylie Jenner assembled a now-iconic mirror picture at the 2017 event, which included Luka Sabbat, rapper A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, Paris Jackson, Kim Kardashian, Lily Aldridge and the now-disgraced rapper P Diddy, alongside Moonlight actor Ashton Sanders. That 2017 moment set a template for guests to sneak social snaps away from the formalities.
Because Anna Wintour long enforced a social media blackout inside the ceremony, many attendees slipped into the toilets to capture informal photos and videos without worrying about the consequences. The result: a steady stream of bathroom imagery across years, from raucous parties to intimate group selfies.
Bhavitha’s image specifically lists the cast from left to right as: BLACKPINK’s Lisa (far left), Jisoo (second left), Rosé (third left), Bhavitha Mandava (fourth left), Margot Robbie (centre), Ayo Edebiri (fourth right), Jennie (second right) and Awar Odhiang (top right).
On the red carpet Bhavitha attracted attention for a contrasting look after Chanel dressed her in jeans and a blouse, a casual choice set against the evening gowns worn by many other guests.
The precedent and Anna Wintour’s private loo
Over the years, many celebrities have been photographed enjoying the informal bathroom scene — names that have surfaced in such material include Ashley Graham, Hailey Bieber, Dakota Johnson and Cara Delevingne. Earlier snaps have also shown Bella Hadid, Lara Stone, Paris Jackson and Ruby Rose smoking in the facilities, and in 2021 members of the Euphoria cast posed for their own take on the mirror shot.
To avoid being swept up in those toilet parties, host and Vogue editor Anna Wintour reportedly uses her own private bathroom at the event. It was revealed in 2023 that Anna has a separate loo reserved just for her, with a security guard posted outside to prevent other attendees from entering. ‘Anna has had her own designated toilet for years – she’s not one for small talk and would no doubt be ambushed by tipsy celeb fans gushing about how great she is,’ a Met Gala insider revealed.
The new snapshot from Bhavitha extends that backstage tradition while reminding observers how the toilet mirror has become a safe spot for spontaneity amid strict photography rules inside the gala. The image reunited established stars with rising names and K-pop icons, underlining how the Met Gala bathroom selfie remains a beloved, if unofficial, part of the night.
Published: 06:43 EDT, 5 May 2026 | Updated: 11:41 EDT, 5 May 2026
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