PHOTOS: Inside the 2026 New York City Ballet Spring Gala

Fran Drescher and Hari Nef. WWD via Getty Images

Last week, the New York City Ballet celebrated its annual gala with full star power. There’s nothing like seeing the 83-year-old Rolling Stones singer… Mick JaggerHe walks the red carpet with his ballerina fiancée Melanie Hamrick (Who happened to be the master of ceremonies). Jagger, the event’s honorary chair, took off his sunglasses and smiled at photographers who couldn’t hide their excitement.

Jagger side by side Jimmy Fallon He presented “Diamonds,” a ballet that marks the beginning of the New York Mercantile Bank’s 60th anniversary celebration, which comes in 2027. But it wasn’t just Jagger and Fallon who brought the star power; Hamrick enlisted major stars and A-listers to her party’s hosting committee, including a star governess90s sitcom, Fran DrescherWho said there is not enough support for the arts at all.

“I’m a supporter of the arts, and I believe that ballet, first and foremost, embodies the best of humanity,” Drescher said on the pre-ceremony carpet. “I don’t think there’s enough support for the arts. When we live in a society where we really revere creativity and the arts, and look for wisdom to guide us toward them, there will be enough. But even then, and it’s more about money or whatever, it’s not enough. It will never be enough.”

Another member of the gala committee was the model and actor Hari NeefWho wore a puffy dress designed by Miss Claire Sullivan. “She’s a friend of mine,” Nev said. “She makes everything custom and bespoke in her studio in Bushwick. She’s a sweet, kind and hardworking person, and she’s also fun and feminine, and doesn’t take herself too seriously in what she makes. So glad she loaned this to me.”

Neff’s view of the New York mall is that “this represents human privilege. It’s an art scene,” she says. “It’s a testament to what the human body can do. And it’s beautiful. It’s pure beauty. And I feel like performing live now, people in rooms together, makes so much sense and feels so grand and heroic, especially in this moment.”

New York City Ballet 2026 Spring Gala — Ashley Graham. WWD via Getty Images

Ashley Graham He was also a member of this year’s host committee, as well as a German representative Diane Kruger. Other panelists include Fallon, Michael Bloomberg, Emmy Rossum and Olivia Palermo Along with her husband, Johannes Heupel.

ballerina Chun Wai Chan She walked the red carpet wearing a stunning black and white suit by Bad Binch TONGTONG. Chan made history as NYCB’s first Chinese principal ballerina in its 74-year history in 2022, and she was very excited to take the stage to perform “Diamonds.” “Whenever I dance, I feel like this is the meaning of life,” he said. “To move, to share a particular community with friends, and then to enjoy the process of rehearsing, preparing, preparing for a performance, and then repeating. What makes New York City Ballet stand out is the speed, the music, the people, the city itself. It’s New York City.”

Meanwhile, for NYCB dancer Roman MegiaBallet is as important as ever. But for starters, he says, “Ballet is an amazing art form that can make you feel things; you don’t necessarily have to.”

Letitia Hollardactress known for her role as nurse Emma Nolan on the HBO Max medical drama the housecame out to support her Juilliard classmates. “It’s crazy to be able to come here and celebrate artists that I went to school with and celebrate the arts,” Hollard said. “It’s really important that people don’t just go to movie theaters, they go to orchestras and opera and ballet, to try to give back to the communities around New York City, to build a greater culture.”

Although ballet may be considered niche, especially after Timothée Chalamet sparked controversy by calling ballet and opera “dying” art forms that “no one cares about anymore” during a CNN hall interview with Matthew McConaughey, she sees it differently. “I love Timothy; we’re from the same city in France. It’s very funny, there’s no hate. But I think it was a beautiful thing that happened because it got a lot of people talking about how much they love classical art. And I think a lot of people came back. I think some people can thank Timothy for his comments because it shows how powerful these art forms really are.”

Ballet is performed not only by dancers, but also by musicians. to Lucia HuongA classical musician, she is interested in sounds, just like dancers. “This is where you should be inspired by beauty,” she said. “People who take their bodies, minds, spirits and creativity to the extreme. That’s when you see on stage perfection and heart. You don’t see the determination, but you know that’s what they put in, along with their soul. It’s very moving, and that’s why I come every year.”

Jan Shafiroffa prominent philanthropist and supporter of the arts, shined on the red carpet wearing a blue and purple dress designed by Eze Azenbour. “The New York City Ballet represents New York City; the dancers are pretty much from all over the world. They’re amazing. It’s exciting. They’re the best of the best. So I’m here to support them. I’ve been coming for many years. I love it. It’s a fashion event. Beautiful people come here. But the dancers are beyond amazing. I’m excited for the diamond anniversary, too.”