The Angel Ball’s Night Of Surprises (And The Reynolds)

by Eddie Roche

Gabrielle's Angel Foundation Hosts Angel Ball 2014

Freak out! That was exactly what happened last night at Downtown Cipriani when impending parents Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds made a rare public appearance at the always, well, lively, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation annual Angel’s Ball. With a room that included Sofia Vergara, Paris Hilton, Elsa Hosk, Kris Jenner, Jamie Foxx, Gigi Hadid, Tommy Hilfiger, Lorraine Schwartz, and Josh Lucas, all eyes (and cell phone cameras) were glued to the Reynolds. The real star of the evening is the late Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who was the daughter of Denise Rich, Grammy winner and philanthropist. Rich set up the foundation to help spare others the suffering she endured from leukemia; today, she works to find effective therapies for those suffering with cancer.

After remarks from music legend Clive Davis, who promised a “night with a lot of surprises in store” and a plug for Aretha Franklin‘s new album, Rich came to the stage to ask the room to light a candle. “You’re all angels,” she said. “I’m so overwhelmed by all the love and support of so many friends and family. Many of whom have been supporting us from the very beginning. Tonight we celebrate the mission of my beloved daughter Gabrielle, but as I look around the room, I realize how this mission has grown to be so much larger than me and my family.”

Later, Davis welcomed Alica Keys to the stage for a surprise performance of “No One” and “We Are Here” before the night’s headliner, Nile Rodgers and Chic, got the sometimes-fickle charity set to their feet to dance to  “Everybody Dance”, “We Are Family”, “Good Times” and “Le Freak”. Did we mention this was all before the second course of dinner was served? While some guests snuck out a little earlier, they missed another surprise performance by Foxx, who sang three songs before Ludcris joined him for a duet. No surprise that a whopping $3.7 million the evening raised. Must be those angels…

You may also like

Leave a Comment