The Gateway Celebrity Fight Night, dubbed Arizona’s most stylish and exciting fundraiser, made its star-studded return to Phoenix, Arizona.
This black tie event, which helps raise money for early-stage cancer clinical research, was held at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on Saturday night, according to Visit Phoenix.
The event featured a lineup of entertainment produced by Grammy Award-winning music director David Foster, who is married to the acclaimed singer and actress. Katharine McPhee.
The evening also featured a performance by Foster along with Earth, Wind & Fire, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Taylor Dayne, Thelma Houston, The Sugarhill Gang, Light Balance and of course McPhee who first rose to fame during his run on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006.
Guests enjoyed an evening of high-profile and diverse entertainment, along with a cocktail reception, elegant dinner and a live auction featuring exclusive and coveted luxury items.
Good cause: Katharine McPhee, 39, and her husband, David Foster, 73, headlined the list of celebrities on hand to attend Gateway Celebrity Fight Night, a fundraiser for cancer research, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday.
Before the festivities, many of the celebrities descended on the red carpet area to pose for photographers.
McPhee, 39, showed off her fabulous figure and fashion sense decked out in a body-hugging black dress that sparkled under the harsh on-camera lights with her shimmering top.
The spaghetti-strap style was teamed with a pair of slingback heels, as the Broadway star of Waitress carried a chic clutch.
Completing her look, the Los Angeles native swept her dark locks out of her face in a bun styled slick back.
The mother-of-one snuggled up to her husband of almost four years, who looked dapper and classy in a three-piece tuxedo and bow tie combo that included sparkly dress shoes.
At one point, the couple, who welcomed their only child together two years ago, shared the red carpet spotlight with pop star Taylor Dayne, 61, who looked chic in her own black dress and open heels.
The Tell It to My Heart singer (born Leslie Wunderman) scored seven top 10 singles in the US beginning in 1987 including “Love Will Lead You Back, With Every Beat of My Heart, Prove Your Love and I’ll Always Love You”. .
Caroline Rhea, 58, chose to stand out in an orange print bodycon dress and black pumps.
Lady in Black: The American Idol singer showed off her fabulous figure and fashion sense dressed in a bodycon black dress that she teamed with peep-toe heels and a clutch bag.
Classy: The event featured a lineup of entertainment produced by Foster, a 16-time Grammy Award-winning music director, who wore a three-piece tuxedo.
Strike a pose: Taylor Dane, a pop star with seven hits in the US from 1987, joined Foster and McPhee for a round of photos on the red carpet.
The actress and comedian is known for her roles in Disney’s Phineas and Ferb (2007-present) and Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996-2003), as well as being a panelist on game shows like Match Game (2016-2020). ), Funny You Should Ask (2017-2020), The Blame Game (2020) and her talk show The Caroline Rhea Show (2002-2003).
Joey Fatone, 46, was also on hand to offer his support for the cause in an all-black suit, tie and sneakers.
Most fans know the singer-dancer as a member of the boy band NSYNC and a former lead in all three My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies (2002, 2016, 2023).
Always looking cool, Chic star Nile Rogers, 70, strutted around in a multi-colored suit with various designs that had hints of orange, blue, black and white.
The guitarist and songwriter has worked with many high-profile music artists over the decades, including rockers like David Bowie, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Bryan Ferry, The B-52’s, INXS, along with pop icons like Madonna. , Diana Ross, Sister Sledge and Grace Jones, among many others.
Festive Night: Guests including Taylor Dane, 61, enjoyed an evening of high-end and diverse entertainment, along with a cocktail reception, elegant dinner and live auction.
Colorful: Actress and comedian Caroline Rhea, 58, chose to stand out in an orange print bodycon dress and black pumps
Man in black: Joey Fatone, 46, looked handsome in an all-black suit, tie and sneakers
Nile Rodgers, 70, showed off his unique style alongside singer Thelma Houston, 79
Show of support: Actor and TV personality John O’Hurley, 68, looked handsome in a classic black suit.
Houston, 79, stood out among all the stars in a lime green ensemble, consisting of a low-cut top, pants and matching shoes.
The Mississippi native scored a number one hit in 1977 with her recording of Don’t Leave Me This Way.
Actor and TV personality John O’Hurley, 68, found great success in his classic black suit which he wore with a white dress shirt and matching tie and shoes.
The Seinfeld star, who played J. Peterman on the legendary NBC sitcom, is also known for hosting game shows like Family Feud (2006-2010) and To Tell The Truth (2000-2002).
Last year’s event raised more than $5 million for cancer research.
Fight Night co-chairs Richard J Stephenson and his wife, Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, Gateway’s president and vice president, respectively, headed out on the holiday night hoping to eclipse that dollar amount.
100% of all donated proceeds from the event will go directly to funding cancer research.
Making a Difference: 100% of all donated proceeds from the event will go directly to funding cancer research.
Contributions are greatly needed considering that more than 5,250 people are diagnosed with cancer every day, according to Gateway For Cancer Research.
Talented Couple: The couple performed together on stage at the event.
Her moment: Katharine rose to fame after appearing on American Idol in 2006 and starring in the hit TV show Smash in 2012.
Star power: The beauty dominated the stage while her husband of four years played the piano
Contributions are much needed considering that more than 5,250 people are diagnosed with cancer every day, according to Portal for cancer research
“Gateway for Cancer Research invests in new patient-focused, early-phase clinical trials that arm men, women, and children for their battles against this formidable enemy,” it continued on the organization’s website.
Gateway has funded research for all types of cancer, including the rarest and sometimes deadliest forms of the disease, during the last 30 years.
To date, the organization has invested more than $95 million to fund more than 195 cancer clinical trials. These studies have brought hope and cure to more than 10,000 cancer patients, have altered the standard of care at some of the world’s most trusted healthcare institutions, and led to new federally approved cancer treatments and therapies. .