A Gilded Night
When you’re part of The Gilded Age, an ordinary after-party just won’t do. Multiple Tony Award winner Audra McDonald joined her fellow cast and crew at the show’s New York premiere before heading to The Plaza for a celebration worthy of New York high society.
With on-screen daughter Denée Benton also on the scene, McDonald dished about what’s coming for them both. “Peggy is now starting to blossom and thrive, fully thrive and come into her own, soDorothy’s main test is being able to let go of Peggy and let her fight her own battles,” McDonald shared.
“What’s kind of fun about Dorothy is she stayed and reserved until pushed to a certain point, and then the gathering comes out. It comes out quickly. It comes out accurately, slices and dices and then comes back. That’s a strength she relies on. And when she needs to pull out that weapon, she does.”
As the night bustled on, guests enjoyed tea leaf readings and hand-drawn portraits by fashion illustrator Deanna First. Meanwhile, a DJ accompanied by an electric violinist mixed classical and contemporary music inside the historic Grand Ballroom, making this old-money vibe right now fun.
The Gilded Age, season 4, premieres November 1 on HBO Max.
Monét X Change Brings the Halloween Heat
Who needs a haunted house when Monét X Change is behind the DJ booth? The RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner kept the dance floor moving at Smirnoff Ice’s Halloween bash in Los Angeles, where costumes, cocktails and a little celebrity mischief were all part of the festivities. Love Island USA star Jeremiah Brown, along with fellow alums Kenzie Annis and Jaiden Bacciocco, traded villa life for a night of tricks, treats and Halloween revelry. Guests sipped Smirnoff Ice and Dirty Shirleys as Monét supplied the soundtrack. This was no nightmare, but instead, a night to remember.
Salt-N-Pepa Get Their Flowers
Some legends don’t just make music. They change the culture. Salt-N-Pepa received their well-deserved flowers at the Museum of Pop Culture’s 2026 Icons of Pop Culture Gala in Seattle, chaired this year by creative and archivist Syreeta Gates, where the hip-hop pioneers were honored as this year’s Music Icons. Original DJ Spinderella joined the duo for a one-night-only performance, bringing a little old-school flavor to the celebration.
For Michele Y. Smith, MOPOP’s CEO, the moment was especially meaningful. “As a Black woman leading this cultural institution, honoring them was a career highlight. The future is now, and they truly helped build it.” Decades after helping women claim their space in hip-hop, Salt-N-Pepa are still pushing it.
Chloé Arnold Gives the Rockettes a New Rhythm
The Rockettes are getting a little extra pep in their soles this holiday season. Tap powerhouse Chloé Arnold, who co-founded Syncopated Ladies with her sister Maud, is making history as the first Black female choreographer to create a number for the iconic dance company. Arnold serves as co-director and co-choreographer of “Ring,” the first new tap number added to the Christmas Spectacular in more than 20 years. Set to “Carol of the Bells,” the performance gives the Rockettes’ famous precision a contemporary tap makeover.
“I wanted to unite their iconic precision with the amazing rhythmic language and cultural impact of tap dance, creating something that feels both timeless and boldly new,” Arnold told EBONY. “As someone who has dedicated their life to sharing the love of tap dance with the world, my hope is that the joy, power, and beauty of this art form will be felt in the hearts of everyone who experiences this historic moment.”
The Christmas Spectacular opens November 4 at Radio City Music Hall and runs through January 4, 2027.