If You Were Confused By The ‘Camp’ Met Gala Theme I’m Here To Clarify

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When the theme for this year’s Met Gala was revealed to be “camp” a few people were pretty confused. Including Celine Dion, who genuinely thought that meant camping, like with tents and s’mores, and was 100% down to go along with that theme anyway because she’s Celine Dion.

Celine Dion is talking to E! right now about how she didn't understand what the word camp meant, which is perfect, because she is it in every moment of her life. Celine Dion eating toast is camp. Celine Dion holding a shoe to her face, Celine Dion biting the face off mannequins — — alanna bennett (@AlannaBennett) May 6, 2019

So let’s clarify what camp actually means.

The term has been around for quite a while, at least since the early 1900’s, and it’s used to describe style, taste, and mannerisms that are exaggerated, whimsical, unapologetically bold, and often theatrical.

And, most importantly, camp was created by the gay community.

In fact, the first time the word camp appeared in a dictionary was in 1909, where the definition was literally, “characteristic of homosexuals,” which is gross stereotyping and obviously very dated language, but it’s still vitally important that we all recognize and acknowledge that camp is an LGBT invention.

I’d take you on a nice stroll through the history and evolution of camp over the last 100 or so years but I know we have memes to get to. Fast forward to the 1970’s — by this point camp had evolved into a niche culture driven by drag queens.

Notably, actor and singer Divine — the star of the cult classic Pink Flamingos. The movie where, yes, she did eat literal dog shit for one scene.

And New York City’s Club Kids of the 80’s and 90’s, one of whom was the iconic RuPaul.

So unless you’re part of or at least familiar with drag culture, “camp” up until this point probably only made you think of sleeping outside, mosquitos, and that one guy who always brings an acoustic guitar to play by the fire even though he can only play half of Wonderwall by Oasis. Now that you know that to be campy is to be playful and extravagant, hopefully you’ll see the Met Gala looks in a new light, have a new appreciation for the stars who truly turned the hell out, and for drag culture as a whole.

And just like that, Pride month came early this year @LenaWaithe pic.twitter.com/DECeBOLQ7B — Sarah Karlan (@SkarSkarSkar) May 7, 2019

“Camp” acknowledges—and delights in—flamboyance. It rejects our collective understanding of high art and revels in garishness. Camp embraces our most tawdry impulses. For this reason, Guy Fieri would have absolutely fucking crushed tonight’s Met Gala. In this essay I will — rae paoletta (@PAYOLETTER) May 6, 2019

if you aren't wearing full drag and eating actual dog shit on the met gala red carpet then you aren't following the theme — Mira Gonzalez (@miragonz) May 7, 2019

I have arrived pic.twitter.com/zPHlRCTttZ — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 6, 2019

when you have to go to the #METgala at 5 but hang in the middle of a Tiffany’s at 5:30 pic.twitter.com/YsPWGOwO97 — jaime vega (@jaimeehaw) May 6, 2019

trixie and katya were at the #MetGala in spirit tonight pic.twitter.com/MeFc5jaueo — ✼ kenza ✼ (@whimsicalslutt) May 6, 2019

BREAKING NEWS: Rihanna won’t be attending this year’s #MetGala after a back injury sustained from carrying the entire weight of the event for years. — (@aeroyonghusband) May 7, 2019

“Camp? What does that even mean??”



“No one knows what it means but It’s provacative, gets the people going!”#MetGala #whoworeitbetter pic.twitter.com/e3cgFAUUEn — Wine and tea (@Krazykarenn) May 7, 2019

150 points to Billy Porter #MetGala pic.twitter.com/jwJQ4ls8Gj — M A D D Y ✨ (@madeleine_lily_) May 6, 2019