The Time 100 Gala was described as a star-studded event in Manhattan celebrating 100 luminaries across various fields such as tech, activism, entertainment, and sports. Journalist Don Lemon, who arrived with his husband, was among the attendees along with honorees like Maya Rudolph, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Dev Patel, Patrick Mahomes, and Dua Lipa. The evening began with celebrities interacting with journalists at the red carpet before moving inside for cocktails and dinner on the 16th floor of One Columbus Circle, offering a view of Central Park.
Among the guests were Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, comedian Alex Edelman, and Kelley Robinson, the first Black woman to head the Human Rights Campaign. The gala featured tables with honorees like Lauren Blauvelt of Planned Parenthood and Thelma Golden, director of the Studio Museum in Harlem. The event was also being filmed for an ABC television special for the second year in a row, leading to pauses in the proceedings during the evening’s festivities.
Actress Taraji P. Henson was one of the first to speak on stage, welcoming attendees to the gala and emphasizing the influence and importance of the honorees. A tradition at the Time 100 Gala had honorees raising their glasses to those who inspired them, with Maya Rudolph toasting Beyoncé and Michael J. Fox paying tribute to his father for his perseverance in the face of adversity. Rapper 21 Savage introduced honoree Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, who raised a toast to women in competitive sports and his wife’s professional soccer team.
After speeches from various speakers, including Kelly Robinson declaring that the honorees were proof of progress, equality, and change in America, singer Dua Lipa took to the stage to perform for the crowd. The evening concluded with her performance, thanking Time 100 for the honor and expressing her gratitude for being part of the prestigious event. The gala showcased the achievements and influence of the honorees, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries to celebrate their contributions to society and culture.
