The stars came out in full swing to honor this year’s Angel Ball, an annual gala that raises money for blood cancer research. Hosted at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC, this year’s benefit was bigger and better than ever with its guestlist and performances.
Some of the night’s notable attendees included GMA anchor Michael Strahan, supermodel Nina Agdal, Orange is the New Black star Selenis Leyva, and Star Jones. Real Housewives of New York stars Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin were also all in attendance.
Performances from Ashlee Simpson-Ross and Evan Simpson, Julia Michael, DMC, and Morris Day provided a soundtrack for the evening as Queer Eye host Karamo Brown served as an emcee.
Dottie Herman, Douglas Elliman CEO; Monte Lipman, Founder and Chairman of Republic Records, Avery Lipman, Founder and President of Republic Records; and Harvey Spevak, Executive Chairman & Managing Partner, Equinox were all honored.
Brown told the Knockturnal that his preparation routine for being the night’s master of ceremonies was fairly simple. “I ate a whole bunch of pizza which is probably going to come back and bite me in the butt a little bit later tonight,” he joked, “So that’s how I prepared, I don’t really get nervous at events anymore.”
What made the night special for Brown was his family ties to the cause, “I watched my sister recently battle Stage 4 cancer, I lost my grandmother to it. So anything I can do to bring awareness, to help raise money I’m gonna do.”
The event is hosted every year by Grammy nominated songwriter Denise Rich. Proceeds from the night go towards the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded in honor of Rich’s late daughter.
“20 years, we’re really making a difference as a cancer foundation. 80% of the researchers that we fund their early research, they went on to get further funding,” Rich told The Knockturnal Monday night. “They wouldn’t have been able to do that without the funding that we gave them in the beginning,”
“Now we have over 270 researchers, given away over $33 million, and 90 cents of every dollar goes to research, so as a foundation we’re really proud of what we’re doing and we’re growing all the time.”
The evening was presented by Lorraine Schwartz, Porsche Cars North America, ALECIA, Casa Noble Tequila and Pomp & Whimsy. Event décor was provided by Birch Event Designs.
