Just over a week before the event, Gayle King faced harsh online criticism for challenging detractors of her brief spaceflight with the question, "Have you been?" Yet on the evening of the Time 100 Gala, she appeared confident and radiant, adorned in a shimmering green dress as she walked the red carpet.
Standing on the 16th floor of the venue formerly known as the Time Warner Center—now the Deutsche Bank Center—King remarked, "I can’t complain. My life is wonderful."
To her left stood David Muir, an ABC News anchor and one of the night's honorees, who recently was connected to a $15 million defamation settlement involving former President Trump.
On her right was designer Georgina Chapman, attending alongside her partner, actor Adrien Brody, himself an honoree. Chapman's ex-husband, Harvey Weinstein, was facing trial that week on sexual assault charges.
King greeted fellow honoree Scarlett Johansson warmly, exemplifying the mingling of celebrities on the Time 100 list.
Once a weekly publication under Time Inc., Time magazine is now owned by tech billionaire Marc Benioff and is published biweekly. Its signature event, the Time 100 Gala, has evolved into a gathering where artists, athletes, and cultural icons are celebrated side by side, often sharing moments and selfies.
Artist Mickalene Thomas, meeting gymnast Simone Biles for the first time, was eager to capture the moment with a selfie, calling Biles "legendary."
Just as guests moved toward dinner, actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds arrived amid ongoing legal disputes with director Justin Baldoni, who has been accused by Lively of misconduct. Baldoni denies the allegations and has filed defamation lawsuits against Lively, her publicist, and a major newspaper that covered the story.
The atmosphere carried an undercurrent of tension, as several attendees were linked by various recent controversies.
Ali Zelenko, former NBC News spokeswoman, attending with Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, remarked, "Who knows, but it certainly makes for compelling storytelling."
Time’s editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs acknowledged the complex nature of the moment, saying, "The Time 100 reflects that complexity."
The tiered dining room featured a large stage and expansive views of Central Park through glass windows. Guests were served kale and dandelion Caesar salads as cameramen captured footage for an upcoming Time 100 special set to air in May.
Among those seated on the ground level was Demi Moore, joined by her manager Jason Weinberg and Scarlett Johansson. Nearby, Simone Biles sat with tennis star Serena Williams and actor Adam Scott, while Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman were positioned at an upper table.
The evening commenced with a speech by Time’s chief executive, Jessica Sibley, who highlighted the crucial role of independent journalism in supporting democracy before thanking the event’s many corporate sponsors.
Following a performance of the hit song "Stargazing" by British singer Myles Smith, David Muir introduced activist Angeline Murimirwa from Zimbabwe, honored for her decades-long work advancing educational opportunities for girls across Africa.
Additional speakers included Israeli activist Noa Argamani, who survived 245 days in captivity under Hamas.
The gala’s comic relief came courtesy of rapper Snoop Dogg, who served as host with intermittent appearances throughout the night.
At one point, Snoop Dogg expressed pride in Simone Biles, joking about their shared expertise—hers in gymnastics apparatuses, and his in high jumping, high rapping, and high hosting. He candidly suggested that his inclusion in the Time 100 was partly to provide a well-known emcee.
The main course, grilled branzino, was served around 9:30 p.m., during which Biles ordered margaritas for herself and Serena Williams.
Blake Lively then took the stage to deliver a poignant speech, alluding to her recent personal struggles without elaborating on the details.
She spoke about the pain women endure and the painful reality they eventually convey to their daughters—that safety is often elusive in all facets of life, be it at work, home, or public spaces, physically, emotionally, and professionally.
Lively questioned why this burden must be borne privately, urging universal agreement on the fundamental human right to safety.
She also expressed gratitude to her mother, Elaine Lively, for helping her find her voice, and to her husband Ryan Reynolds, whom she described as a kind and good man even when unobserved.
The event concluded near 11 p.m. with a performance by Ed Sheeran.
Sheeran also playfully addressed Ryan Reynolds during his set. He owns a minority stake in Ipswich Town F.C., an English soccer club, while Reynolds is co-owner of the Welsh team Wrexham A.F.C.
Sheeran humorously claimed his club would decisively outperform Wrexham before launching into his hit "Shape of You."
