For the first time since 2019, the Angel Ball finally returned to an in-person event at Cipriani Wall Street, raising a whopping $2.9 million for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation. The gala has more of a wedding/family affair than your typical fundraiser and last night kept that vibe going. Over the years, they’ve welcomed performers such as Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Gloria Gaynor, and Kool and the Gang, and last night it was Chaka Khan’s turn to bring the crowd to their feet. The Grammy award-winner sang her classics, “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nobody,” and “Tell Me Something Good.”
Guests included Tommy and Dee Hilfiger, Mayor Eric Adams, Lee Daniels, Candace Bushnell, Star Jones, Joy Corrigan, B. Micheal, Clive Davis, and more, and was hosted by co-founders, songwriter Denise Rich and her daughters Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter.
Lee Daniels, Denise Rich, Eric Adams, Chaka Khan, and Fat Joe (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research funds early career scientists whose research focuses on finding less toxic treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and related blood cancers. The organization is honor of Rich’s daughter Gabrielle, and has funded more than $39 million dollars in grants over the last two decades.
Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger (Getty Images)
Jill Martin was on hosting duties for the night, honoring John Paulson, president of Paulso and Co. Inc. and Michael Vranos, chief executive officer of Ellington Management Group, LLC.
Lydia Fenet auctioned off items such as dinner for eight at Rao’s with Chazz Palminteri, art pieces by Mr. Brainwash and Peter Tunney, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Schwartz served as one of the sponsors of the evening alongside Alpha Romeo and Maserati of Manhattan, Tequila Tepozan, Sha Wellness Clinic, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
DJ Cassidy (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Fat Joe and Broadway star Shoshana Bean were also part of the evening’s entertainment. The dinner winded down with a set by DJ Cassidy, who brought everyone to their feet for an ‘Only In New York’ kind of night. Always a ball!
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