On Wednesday evening in New York City, American Pie star Jennifer Coolidge graced the red carpet at Jazz at Lincoln Center for the 2023 Time 100 Gala.
Not only was the multi-talented actress the emcee for the night’s event, but she also had the honor of gracing the cover of Time Magazine’s prestigious annual issue, highlighting the 100 most influential people of the year, including Kim Kardashian, Austin Butler, and Ali Wong.
Jennifer Coolidge opted for a stunning Balmain velvet gown, which featured intricate sequins and glass beading around the shoulders, neckline, and sleeves, at the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Coolidge dazzled in a stunning long-sleeved Balmain black velvet gown that featured intricate sequins and glass beading delicately placed on the shoulders, neckline, and sleeves.
The exquisite hemline was adorned with even more shimmering jewels, creating a luminous train that followed her every step.
And to top it off, the Seinfeld actress wore Wempe diamond chandelier earrings, a black satin rectangular clutch with a crystalized strap, and sheer black tulle gloves.
Although her pointed-toe pumps were barely visible under the voluminous skirt of her gown, it was clear that they were black with matte uppers and razor-sharp stiletto heels.
Jennifer Coolidge styled her sparkling dress with diamond chandelier earrings by Wempe and wore her hair in a loose updo with curtain bangs, accentuating her facial features (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
For her hair and makeup, Coolidge’s elegant updo featured trendy curtain bangs, a sultry smokey eye, pink lipstick, and coordinating blush that highlighted her natural beauty.
The star-studded gala celebrated the year’s most influential people, featuring inspiring messages from Hollywood A-listers such as Creed III actor Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress Angela Bassett, and Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne.
The event featured jaw-dropping performances from Lea Michele and Doja Cat, and, of course, Jennifer Coolidge impeccably hosted it all.
Coolidge, a pro at making everyone laugh at prestigious events, playfully joked about her tragic fate on The White Lotus during her opening speech, quipping, “I drowned on TV. It was prestige TV, you know, but still.”
The Old Navy commercial actress acknowledged the accomplishments of some of the honorees and remarked that “some of our work here is more urgent than others.”
She then encouraged the scientists in the audience to pair up with the celebrities, saying, “I think you should all pair up. All the famous people in here, I want you to get a buddy, a nerdy buddy.”
To illustrate her point, Coolidge hilariously paired project manager Ed Reynolds with Austin Butler and nuclear engineer Andrea Kritcher with director Steven Spielberg, proclaiming that the filmmaker “could explain [controlled fusion] in a very compelling way. Probably with an alien.”
But she didn’t stop there. The stylish actress even paired glacier scientist Peter Davis alongside Britney Schmidt with Doja Cat, saying, “She can sing on the glacier while you guys, like, twerk behind her. Just think of how many followers you could get! It’s very unfair.”
Jennifer Coolidge wore mesh gloves and carried a black satin clutch with a bedazzled handle that perfectly complemented the rest of her outfit (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Coolidge said she “made a fake fart video with JLo” during a playful moment, and that she “got two million followers. I thought the fart was going to be too much, and you know what? It wasn’t.”
By the end of her speech, the host had everyone in stitches and was inspired by what could be accomplished when people from different life backgrounds came together.
She exclaimed, “You see why this event is so exciting. It’s bringing people together. Because there are many different kinds of influence [and] intellect, and with our powers combined, I think we can reach more people than ever. Even more than a fake fart.”