Highlights From the Toasts at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala
Honorees share personal stories of resilience, hope, and influence at the Manhattan event.
1Gala Celebrates Emerging Leaders
The 2026 TIME100 Next Gala took place on October 29 at Pier 59 in New York City. The event gathered a diverse group of artists, innovators, and athletes to celebrate the latest honorees. Grammy-nominated singer Raye performed during the evening, which featured personal toasts focused on future hope and individual success.
2Maxey's Daily Growth Mindset
NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey opened the toasts by emphasizing his personal motto of getting one percent better every single day. He credited his father for instilling the belief that the sky is the limit. Maxey highlighted how his professional platform allows him to support community initiatives through his own nonprofit foundation.
3Patel on Ancestral Resilience
Actor Himesh Patel reflected on his journey from a small village in Cambridgeshire to the global stage. He honored his immigrant parents and ancestors who resisted colonialism in Gujarat, India. Patel framed hope as an act of defiance, urging fellow honorees to use their influence to do good in precarious times.
4Warren's Lesson on Support
Singer-songwriter Alex Warren shared a poignant childhood memory about his father, who encouraged him to fly despite his fears. After losing his father at age nine, Warren found solace in music. He toasted to the importance of having someone to catch you when you fall, rather than just focusing on flying.
5Njiru's Human-Centric Innovation
Wawira Njiru, CEO of Food4Education, argued that the future is built by people rather than machines. Her organization currently delivers over 600,000 meals daily across 1,500 schools in Africa. She aims to feed one million children by 2027, emphasizing that investing in human potential remains the most critical global resource.
6Padilla's Journey Through Doubt
SNL star Ashley Padilla brought humor to the event before sharing a vulnerable reflection on her career path. She admitted to attempting to quit comedy multiple times due to self-doubt. Padilla ultimately thanked the internal voice that pushed her to keep going, even during moments of failure in her early life.
7Corporate Sponsorship and Context
The 2026 TIME100 Next Gala was presented by a coalition of major corporate partners including Rolex, Toyota, and American Airlines. Other sponsors included Danantara, the Project Management Institute, and Target. These organizations supported the evening, which highlighted the intersection of professional achievement, personal storytelling, and the collective influence of honorees.
8The Power of Shared Narratives
The event demonstrated how personal narratives serve as a bridge between individual success and broader societal impact. By sharing stories of struggle, ancestry, and community investment, the honorees underscored that influence is a responsibility. These toasts provided a rare glimpse into the motivations driving the next generation of global leaders today.
Original article: TIME — Highlights From the Toasts at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala