See the Best Photos From the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala

Luis Carlos Rúa arrived at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala dressed in his full white elephant costume, which he later shed in favor of an all-black suit. In his hand, he held a stuffed white elephant instead, a symbolic mascot representing the incomplete public infrastructure projects in Colombia, the country in which he ran an unconventional anti-corruption focused Senate campaign this year, and won. Rúa was one of many influential rising stars in attendance on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala in Manhattan, which offered an opportunity for leaders across industries including health, climate, business, sports, entertainment, and more to meet and exchange ideas. The Odyssey actor Himesh Patel caught up with Food4Education founder Wawira Njiru; musician Sombr greeted actress Joey King; NBA player Tyrese Maxey laughed with comedian and content creator Druski over dinner; Curry Barker, director of the breakout horror film Obsession, stopped by to chat with actor Paapa Essiedu between courses. The evening featured a performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Raye, who performed a soulful cover of Julie London’s “Cry Me a River” and the song “Happier Times Ahead” from her sophomore album, This Music May Contain Hope—a fitting prelude to the overarching theme of the night’s toasts. “Hope is a cheesy, but necessary emotion,” she said. Guests also stopped by a portrait studio—sponsored by Toyota—to be photographed in front of a celestial set designed by hand by art director Jana Frost. See a selection of the best photos below. The TIME100 Next Gala was presented by Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target.RayeArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoSombrArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoMarisa Abela and Jamie BogyoArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoHimesh PatelArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoAshley PadillaArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoJoey KingArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoDominic SessaArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoSarah PidgeonArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoLauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt, Co-Founders of Summer FridaysArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoAlex WarrenArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoTroye SivanArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoIsa BrionesArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoJalyn HallArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoDonna FarizanArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoRavyn LenaeArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoConan GrayArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoJulian AguonArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoMolly GordonArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoLuis Carlos Rua SanchezArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoGretchen GoldmanArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoSophie ElgortArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoBeca MichieArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano GiulianoEiza GonzálezArt Direction by Jana Frost, Photograph by Stefano Giuliano