Suki Waterhouse, Sharon Stone and Sara Bareilles Headline AHA’s Red Dress Fashion Show and Concert
Along with one musical set by Suki Waterhouse, another by the two-time Grammy winner Sara Bareilles and preventive health pleas from Sharon Stone, attendees on Thursday at the American Heart Association’s Red Dress Collection Concert in New York also caught a celebrity-studded fashion show.
Bordering on burlesque, country music singer Carly Pearce in Et Ochs, “The Bear’s” Liza Colon-Zayas in Gustavo Cadile, “The Penguin’s” Shohreh Aghdashloo in Randi Rahm and “Shrinking’s” Wendie Malick in Paul Ataker were part of the lineup that sashayed across the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Many of the participants splayed the skirts of their dresses and moved their arms dramatically, as they darted in different directions. While some like Busy Philipps in Charles & Ron were reminiscent of rhythmic dancers, and others like Sarah Drew in Rami Al Ali were were part flamenco, they all seem to be enjoying the moment, and the crowd did too. Ditto for Reyna Roberts, who wore a strapless Nicole Sposa gown with a rhinestone-encrusted bust and blew kisses to the audience. Abigail Spencer was a standout as much for theatric gestures as her floral Oscar de la Renta.
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Most of the models upped the fashion factor by wearing one designer dress for the red carpet and another one for the show. (The fire engine red color of choice remained the same.) Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Porsha Williams in Fjolla Haxhismajli opened the show with much dancing, posing and shimmying and nearing the end, the multitalented Teyana Taylor did her best to keep the energy up — literally — by waving her arms to encourage the crowd to stand and applaud. Not that that was really necessary, many attendees sported red dresses too, and they had taken a spin on the red carpet before the event got underway. “Miss America” Abbie Stockard put her pageant skills to good use in a “Scarlett O’Hara-”worthy red Jeanette Limas ballgown that was polished up with her winning sash and crown.
Others were more demure like the model and musician Suki Waterhouse, who sang “Moves” and a few other songs, wearing a sleeveless red fringe Calcaterra dress. And Bareilles opted for a billowy Rochas dress to take a seat at the grand piano to perform (instead of posing on top of it as a few others had). Marvel’s “Thor: Love & Thunder” actress Jaime Alexander underplayed her runway turn, coyishly showing the empty pockets of her V-neck and deep-back red sequin Genny dress. “All My Children’s” favorite alum Susan Lucci took in the show from the front row with the “90210” actress Jenny Garth and Star Jones. Having had heart-related incidents, Lucci and Jones were among the public advocates in attendance.
The National Football League player Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, who had a near-fatal on-field collapse due to commotio cordis, also made an appearance at the CVS Health-supported event. From the start, the evening’s host Stone struck a serious note. Sharing the details of the stroke she suffered in 2001, and how she did not get medical help for three days. Reminding attendees how one in five women suffer strokes and that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. “I refused to let my massive stroke define me. It could have wiped out my entire life — my career, my marriage, the custody of my kid, everything,” she said. “If anything, it opened up my eyes to the world of possibilities that can come with a second chance.”
Before starting the program, Stone requested a moment of silence for all, who have been impacted by the Los Angeles wildfire, and for those affected by Wednesday’s fatal crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. After that reflection, the Oscar-winning actress spoke of the importance of recognizing the warning signs of aa stroke. The 66-year-old encouraged guests to call 911, if they see a woman whose face is falling, whose arm feels numb or whose speech is slurred. She also urged them to get CPR training for themselves, their families and their staffs, which is available via local AHA outposts and fire departments. “We must be unapologetic in our endeavors to be there for eachother now more than ever. It’s not because we can, but because we care.”
At different points in her performance, Bareilles suggested a singalong, and even soft whistling. The “Love Song” creator also suggested that they whistle, whenever things get heated, or turn political. “Did I just stumble on the answer to world peace?”
Sharon Stone Sparkles, Suki Waterhouse Pops, Susan Lucci Shimmers & More at American Heart Association’s Red Dress Collection 2025 Red Carpet [PHOTOS]
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