Gayle King attended the American Ballet Theatre 2025 Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center on Wednesday in New York to witness ballerina Misty Copeland‘s final performance. King dressed to impress for the occasion, letting her rhinestone-embellished shoes shine on the red carpet.
Gayle King attends the American Ballet Theatre 2025 Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on Wednesday in New York.
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King wore an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve gown in all black. The dress was made with a shiny, velvet-like fabric and featured elegant ruching down the middle. The shoes peeked out through the long skirt of the dress, with the rhinestones glimmering as she walked the red carpet.
She opted for a pair of Azalea Wang‘s Arthelia Embellished Pumps. This heel features a breathable mesh upper, a pointed-toe silhouette and a tonal suede stiletto heel measuring nearly four inches. The shoes are made with a mesh textile upper that stands out thanks to glittering rows of rhinestones that travel from the top line to the toe.
A close-up of the shoes.
The shoes featured a backless, slip-on mule design with a coordinating rhinestone ankle strap that goes across the front of the foot. While the shoes are currently only available for sale on luxury retail sites, their price ranges from $10 to under $100. The CBS Mornings host recapped the night on Instagram, saying her son Will Bumpus and his wife Elise Smith were also in attendance.
“Call this a magical night for @mistyonpointe’s final performance!” King wrote along with a series of photos. “Oprah was honorary chair of the event and flew in just for this historic celebration. Can’t wait to see Misty’s next chapter. And I just found out Elise took ballet for years and Misty has always been a hero, so this made it extra special for her. Take a bow Misty.”
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King’s longtime friend, Oprah Winfrey, was also nearby at the event, wearing a pair of Sole Bliss Carmen pointed-toe heels in black suede and a Brunello Cucinelli dress. Winfrey served as an honorary grand chair as Copeland, who was the first Black woman to serve as a principal dancer at the renowned American Ballet Theatre, had her farewell from the company on Wednesday. She bid adieu with a final performance, which came after a five-year break.