Colombian Senator Stuns at TIME Gala

Luis Carlos Rúa arrived at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala in Manhattan on Thursday, Oct. 29, wearing a full white elephant costume. He later removed the outfit to reveal an all-black suit underneath. Rúa, who won a Senate seat in Colombia this year, held a stuffed white elephant during the event. The plush toy served as a symbol for incomplete public infrastructure projects in his home country.

The gala gathered rising leaders from sectors including health, climate, business, and entertainment. Attendees used the evening to exchange ideas and network. Himesh Patel, an actor from the series Odyssey, met with Wawira Njiru, the founder of Food4Education. Musician Sombr spoke with actress Joey King. NBA player Tyrese Maxey shared dinner with comedian and content creator Druski.

Curry Barker, the director of the horror film Obsession, visited actor Paapa Essiedu between courses. The event served as a platform for these emerging figures to connect outside their primary industries. The gathering took place in New York City, drawing a diverse group of public figures from around the globe.

Singer-songwriter Raye performed during the evening. She covered Julie London’s “Cry Me a River” and played “Happier Times Ahead” from her album This Music May Contain Hope. Raye described hope as a necessary emotion, a sentiment that aligned with the theme of the night's toasts. Her performance provided a musical interlude for the dinner guests.

The event was presented by several corporate sponsors. These included Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target. The gala marked a key annual gathering for the TIME100 Next list. Rúa’s presence highlighted the growing global recognition of political figures from outside the United States.