On May 9, 2026, Los Angeles became the epicenter of Asian and Pacific excellence as the prestigious Gold Gala convened for its annual celebration. This highly anticipated event brought together a constellation of stars from the realms of acting, music, athletics, and creative industries, all converging on the iconic gold carpet to honor and showcase the diverse talents and rich cultural heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. The evening was a testament to the growing influence and visibility of AANHPI individuals in global culture, marked by an extraordinary display of fashion that ranged from avant-garde creations to elegant reinterpretations of traditional attire. Attendees embraced a spectrum of styles, from the understated sophistication of haute couture to the bold statements of sculptural tailoring, all while weaving in elements of heritage and personal expression. The gold carpet served as a vibrant runway, with each guest presenting a unique narrative through their sartorial choices, underscoring the theme of making a definitive statement on this significant cultural platform.
This year’s Gold Gala continued its tradition of highlighting exceptional talent and providing a vital platform for AANHPI creatives. Established in [Year of Establishment, if known, otherwise omit or generalize], the Gold Gala, organized by Gold House, aims to foster a more inclusive and representative landscape in media and entertainment. The event not only celebrates individual achievements but also underscores the collective power of the AANHPI community, fostering connections and collaborations that drive cultural progress. The selection of Los Angeles as the host city is significant, reflecting the city’s diverse population and its long-standing role as a global hub for the entertainment industry.
Fashion Forward: The Gold Carpet’s Most Striking Moments
The 2026 Gold Gala’s gold carpet was a spectacle of sartorial innovation and cultural pride, with attendees meticulously curating looks that celebrated both contemporary fashion trends and their ancestral roots. The night’s fashion narrative was a rich tapestry, woven with threads of tradition, modernity, and individual artistry.
Supriya Ganesh: A Vision in Naeem Khan
Actress Supriya Ganesh, celebrated for her compelling performance as Dr. Mohan in the critically acclaimed HBO Max series The Pitt, made a breathtaking entrance. Shifting from her medical-ward persona, Ganesh graced the gold carpet in a resplendent strapless gown by Naeem Khan. The design featured ethereal layers of tulle and raffia, a deliberate and elegant homage to traditional Indian raffia craftsmanship. The gown’s skirt was adorned with whimsical poppy flower motifs, a clear artistic echo of Andy Warhol’s iconic Pop Art style, adding a contemporary twist to the heritage-inspired piece. Complementing the gown’s airy, voluminous silhouette, Ganesh chose delicate jewelry from Shaneli and a pair of sophisticated Alevi heels, completing a look that was both timeless and artistically profound.
Anthony Keyvan: Modern Minimalism with a Touch of Glamour
Actor Anthony Keyvan, known for his role in the popular series XO Kitty, reunited with fellow cast members on the gold carpet, exuding a polished and understated charm. Styled by the talented duo Annie Easton and Nora Foley, Keyvan opted for a textured wrap blazer paired with impeccably tailored pants. His grooming was equally refined, with his hair slicked back and his makeup kept clean and luminous, perfectly complementing the minimalist yet classic aesthetic of his attire. Colleen Dominique, his groomer, credited the exceptional results to key products from Caldera Lab, Armani Beauty, and Leonor Greyl Paris, highlighting the importance of premium skincare and haircare in achieving a red-carpet-ready look.
Eileen Gu: A Confectionary Dream by Andrew Kwon
Olympic Gold Medalist Eileen Gu captivated the audience with her appearance in a delightful confectionery pink gown by Andrew Kwon. The gown’s soft, pastel hue and abundant layers of tulle created a light and feminine silhouette, reminiscent of a classic princess ballgown. A particularly striking detail was the shorter layering at the front of the skirt, which not only added a unique design element but also artfully elongated her figure, showcasing a masterful understanding of proportion and form. Gu’s choice underscored a sophisticated blend of athletic prowess and high-fashion sensibility.
Anna Cathcart: Edgy Elegance with a Pop of Color
Anna Cathcart, another prominent star from the XO Kitty franchise, made a memorable appearance in a striking figure-hugging strapless black gown by Bach Mai. The dress was distinguished by its dramatic ruffled blush pink fabric, which flared elegantly at her hips, creating a peplum-like effect. Her hair, styled in soft curls by Terra Rose Puncerelli, and her makeup, expertly applied by Kendal Fedail, emphasized a youthful and radiant look. Rosy cheeks, a glossy pink lip, and a subtle cat-eye liner served to accentuate Cathcart’s features and harmoniously complement the gown’s bold design.
Manny Jacinto: Dapper Sophistication and Reflective Engagement
Actor Manny Jacinto exuded classic dapper charm on the gold carpet, dressed in a sophisticated cream-colored NB44 suit jacket from Nicolas Bijan, paired with sharp black dress pants. Styled by a dedicated team including Ilaria Urbinati, Megan Lackey, Jina Dusara, and Mia Faigus, his ensemble was elevated by a classic black bow tie and a distinguished Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, which accentuated his defined features and dark hair. Jacinto shared a thoughtful perspective on the Gold Gala, noting in an interview with Vogue that beyond celebrating AANHPI excellence, the event serves as a valuable opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues. "It’s very uplifting and inspiring and always really fun," he remarked, underscoring the event’s dual role in professional networking and community building.
Liza Soberano: A Structural Masterpiece Inspired by Heritage
Filipino actress Liza Soberano presented a truly unique and artistic vision in a structural fan dress from Phan Huy’s Fall Winter 2025/2026 Collection. The gown, crafted with a base of beige organza, featured intricately embroidered bamboo fans as its central motif, strategically placed on the bust, waist, hips, and cascading down the dress’s train. The ribbed structures that adorned the skirt were inspired by the delicate ribs of bamboo fans, ingeniously executed using traditional boning techniques. This design masterfully fused contemporary fashion with profound cultural heritage, creating a piece that was both a sartorial statement and a celebration of identity.
no na: Modern Heritage Through Traditional Indonesian Textiles
The four-member Indonesian girl group no na made a powerful collective statement with their coordinated ensembles, each uniquely incorporating wastra nusantara, traditional Indonesian textiles. This approach powerfully conveyed a theme of modern heritage. Vocalist and rapper Esther Geraldine wore a chic gold tube top paired with a creatively tied sogan batik fabric at the waist, accessorized with an antique golden arm cuff. Shazfa Adesya embraced a more contemporary fashion direction with a shimmering sheer corseted gown, enhanced by a woven tapis Lampung draped elegantly over her right shoulder. Christy Gardena showcased an architectural top, reminiscent of a futuristic breastplate, complemented by a songket shawl and her hair styled in a modern bun. Baila Fauri opted for a dazzling nude gown, luxuriously paired with a vibrant red Palembang songket. Their collective presentation was a testament to the enduring beauty and adaptability of Indonesian cultural artistry in the modern fashion landscape.
EJAE: A Couture Celebration of Korean Heritage
GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter EJAE made her highly anticipated Gold Gala debut in a custom design by LEJE. The exquisite pale blue dress featured a sophisticated basque waist that flowed into a voluminous, floor-length structural skirt. A closer inspection revealed intricate mosaic peony designs, meticulously crafted from over 1,000 pieces of delicately cut mother-of-pearl. This design was directly inspired by traditional Korean najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware), celebrating EJAE’s Korean heritage through the medium of haute couture. To complement the gown’s iridescent centerpiece, EJAE accessorized with pearl earrings and wore her hair in a sleek high ponytail, elegantly braided into two long strands.
Maia Kealoha: Weaving Heritage into Hollywood Success
Actress Maia Kealoha, who garnered widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Lilo in the live-action Lilo & Stitch film in 2025, attended her inaugural Gold Gala in a stunning creation by Kini Zamora. Kealoha’s gown masterfully incorporated Lauhala, a traditional Polynesian weaving technique, to form the intricate bodice of the dress. She articulated the profound significance of this choice, stating that Lauhala, often symbolizing unity and familial heritage, was “fitting for the Gold Gala, an event that brings together AANHPI leaders to create a stronger community.” Her hair, styled in a high ponytail by Tanya Alian, served to highlight her face and the elegant halter neckline. Dangling pink orchid earrings provided a final flourish, perfectly encapsulating Kealoha’s celebration of her heritage and her remarkable achievement as the youngest native Hawaiian actress to star in a film grossing over $1 billion.
H.E.R.: A Bold Bloom on the Gold Carpet
Singer-songwriter H.E.R. commanded attention in a breathtaking gown from Phan Huy’s latest couture collection. The ensemble featured a nude tulle base lavishly adorned with thousands of gilded crimson chiffon leaf embellishments. These appliqués were individually placed to create a dramatic, blooming effect around the bust and hips, lending the gown an illusion of movement and organic texture. The boldness and artistry of her attire resonated with the powerful and evocative nature of H.E.R.’s musical expression.
Avan Jogia and Halsey: A Harmonious Blend of Cultures in Rahul Mishra
Actor Avan Jogia and singer-songwriter Halsey presented a striking and complementary pair on the gold carpet, both adorned in designs by Rahul Mishra. Jogia exuded refined elegance in an intricately embroidered black ‘Himadri’ Sherwani jacket, layered with statement necklaces that added a touch of regal flair. While his palette remained predominantly black, the detailed beaded embroidery provided a unique textural dimension to his look. Halsey, in contrast, captivated in the archival ‘Serpent’ gathered gown from Mishra’s 2024 Spring Couture collection. The gown’s plunging neckline and flowing fabrics beautifully accentuated Halsey’s natural features, drawing the eye towards her braided updo and the rich green tones of her heavily beaded choker and Indian-inspired earrings. Her makeup, characterized by a dewy glow and dark-lined lips, was further enhanced by a striking green eyeliner on her lower waterline, a subtle yet effective detail that harmonized with the ensemble’s overall aesthetic.
Eugene Lee Yang: Androgynous Chic and Symbolic Flourishes
Eugene Lee Yang, a multifaceted talent known as a co-founder of The Try Guys, a filmmaker, and a prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, made a powerful fashion statement. Yang wore a daring black strapless corset by QUEERA, paired with wide-leg pants and a dramatic, long, rose-covered draping coat from The Mayor Official. This all-black ensemble, with its flowing materials, created a captivating sense of androgyny, blurring the lines between traditional silhouettes and challenging conventional gender norms in fashion. Further embracing the spirit of the Gold Gala, Yang accessorized with a striking lotus headdress, featuring a golden lotus flower surrounded by artistically shaped lotus leaves, symbolizing growth and enlightenment.
Esther Yu: A Dazzling Display of Tang Dynasty Embroidery
Chinese star Esther Yu embraced the theme of the Gold Gala with unparalleled enthusiasm, adorning herself in a resplendent strapless gown from Laurence Xu’s Fall 2013 couture collection. The gown was a masterpiece of traditional embroidery, featuring the distinctive Panjin technique, a 3-D embroidery method originating from the Tang Dynasty. This meticulous process involves laying and couching gold or silver wire to form intricate traditional patterns and symbols. A dramatic black tulle and feathered train trailed behind the dress, evoking the majestic imagery of a phoenix’s tail. Yu further accessorized with a golden hair ornament on her left side, balanced by a single triangular earring on her right, a thoughtful choice for interviews. She shared her excitement about her upcoming C-drama, Yun Chu Ling, a historical series delving into themes of betrayal, revenge, and destiny, hinting at the compelling narratives that continue to emerge from Asian storytelling.
Beyond the Glamour: The Deeper Significance of the Gold Gala
The 2026 Gold Gala, beyond its dazzling fashion displays and celebrity wattage, represents a crucial moment for the AANHPI community. In an era where representation and authentic storytelling are increasingly vital, events like the Gold Gala provide an indispensable platform for visibility, advocacy, and cultural exchange. The collective presence of influential figures from diverse backgrounds underscores the growing impact of AANHPI individuals across various industries.
The persistent underrepresentation of AANHPI communities in mainstream media has been a long-standing issue. Initiatives like the Gold Gala aim to shift this narrative by celebrating achievements, fostering dialogue, and creating opportunities for collaboration. The presence of individuals from a wide array of Asian and Pacific Islander ethnicities—including Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Korean, Polynesian, and more—highlights the vast and varied cultural landscape that the gala seeks to honor.
The data consistently shows a growing AANHPI consumer base and influence within the global market. As this demographic’s economic and cultural power expands, so does the demand for authentic and diverse representation. Events like the Gold Gala serve not only as a celebration but also as a strategic convergence point for industry leaders to discuss the future of AANHPI inclusion, identify emerging talent, and address systemic challenges.
Looking ahead, the continued success and evolution of the Gold Gala will be instrumental in shaping a more equitable and vibrant future for AANHPI voices in the global cultural conversation. The sartorial statements made on the gold carpet are more than just fashion; they are declarations of identity, heritage, and pride, signaling a powerful and undeniable presence on the world stage.
For those interested in further exploring the impact of API stars in fashion, a related article, "API Stars Rock The 2026 Met Gala Carpet," offers additional insights into the broader influence of these cultural figures.