The annual gala honors emerging leaders and young stars in various fields.
Every year, the TIME100 Next Gala celebrates rising leaders in business, entertainment, politics, and health.
This year’s event took place at Manhattan’s Pier59 and welcomed honorees such as Sabrina Carpenter, Reneé Rapp, Victoria Monét, Laufey, Nicola Coughlan, and Anna Sawai among others.
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From stunning red carpet looks and performances to inspiring speeches and toasts, here are some of the highlights from the soiree last Wednesday.
Fashion Forward Gala
Sabrina Carpenter, who has steadily been rising as a pop icon, looked stunning in a custom silver Versace gown with a thigh-high leg slit.
“You are breathtaking. What talent, what beauty! I am so proud to see you in Versace at the Time 100 Gala,” Donatella Versace wrote on Instagram, praising the singer.
Singer-songwriter Victoria Monét opted for a bold red Roberto Cavalli spring 2005 dress. The gown features dramatic draping, an open back, and a long train.
Monét completed the look with a Bulgari Serpenti bracelet, rings, and earrings as well as shoes from Jimmy Choo.
Mean Girls star Reneé Rapp looked effortlessly cool in a Willy Chavarria bomber jacket. She then paired the casual top with a more formal black ball skirt.
Recent Emmy winner Anna Sawai wore a look from Tory Burch, baring her midriff with a black cropped top and a flowing white skirt. She also accessorized with jewelry from Cartier.
Ashley Park brought her mom along to the gala as her plus one, honoring her that night as the one who made her the woman she is today. The Emily in Paris and Joy Ride actor wore an Elie Saab Pre-fall 2024 black and gold look while her mom was in a white suit from Boss.
Songs of the Summer
After the red carpet, Sabrina Carpenter changed into a black minidress for her performance. The artist sang two of her hits, “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please,” for the guests and other honorees.
Carpenter admitted that this sort of setting was scarier to her, as opposed to performing for a sea of people while on tour.
“Intimate crowds, I’ve always said, have been way more nerve-wracking for me. But I will say, everyone’s made me feel very comfortable so I don’t feel nervous,” she said in a behind the scenes interview.
“I just want to say thank you to TIME for having me and all of us tonight. Thank you for honoring so many talented people that are doing so many incredible things. I feel very lucky to be amongst them,” the singer shared while onstage.
Meaningful Toasts
A Call for Peace
Giving the first toast of the night, Nicola Coughlan dedicated part of her speech to Ireland’s first female president Mary Robinson, an advocate for human rights and peace and reconciliation in Ireland.
She also highlighted Robinson’s open letter to US President Joe Biden, calling for permanent ceasefire and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
“I hope that if you are fortunate enough to elect the first female President, she too will be unafraid to speak truth to power, and will try to make not just this country, but the world a more peaceful place,” Coughlan addressed the primarily American audience.
Celebrating Diversity
Anna Sawai, who just became the first Japanese actress to ever win an Emmy, took a moment to honor the Asian performers who came before her during her speech.
“I know a lot of people will say my Emmy was well-deserved, but I don’t believe the Asian actresses who came before me didn’t deserve it,” the Shōgun star said. She noted how complex roles were few and far between for Asian actors in the past.
“We are more than just women in kimonos. I don’t want that to be the reason why our stories stand out. I hope that we can be celebrated for who we are without being put in a box.”
For the Next Generation
Basketball player Jaylen Brown gave the last toast of the night, highlighting the power of intergenerational connection. Aside from his talent on the court, Brown also works with young people from marginalized communities.
He also honored his grandmother during his speech, bringing up how she instilled that sense of community in him. “Our next generation is pivotal. I ask everyone in this room to continue to push things forward. I encourage everyone to think about, in their respective communities, what they’re doing.
“And I challenge you to do more. Decisions we make in this room now have an impact on the next generation,” he concluded.
Banner image via Instagram @ashleyparklady.
