Missy Elliott to Receive Icon Award at October Gala
The Gala of the Stars will honor Missy Elliott, Toni Basil, and Vincent Paterson in Beverly Hills on October 22.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Dance
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The upcoming Gala of the Stars benefit event in Beverly Hills will honor Missy Elliott with the Icon Award on October 22, 2026. Janet Jackson is set to present the award to Elliott at the Beverly Hilton during the star-studded ceremony.
Why it matters
The gala serves as a major fundraising effort for a nonprofit organization that provides essential financial assistance to dancers and educators facing cancer diagnoses. By gathering industry legends and rising stars, the event aims to alleviate the economic burdens of medical treatment for those within the dance community.
Janet Jackson previously received the Icon honor in 2025. The 2026 gala features a formal dinner and awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.
The players
Missy Elliott
She is a groundbreaking rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her innovative approach to music videos and choreography.
Janet Jackson
She is an iconic pop superstar and performer who received the Icon honor from Dancers Against Cancer in 2025.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
He is a professional dancer and choreographer best known for his long-running tenure on the reality television series Dancing with the Stars.
Liza Minnelli
She is an legendary actress and singer who rose to prominence through her theater and film career and acts as the honorary gala chair.
Paula Abdul
She is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and television personality who will present a legacy award at the ceremony.
The details
Hosted by Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the event includes the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Toni Basil and the Vanguard Award to Vincent Paterson. Attendees will also see a performance by the Syncopated Ladies, while Liza Minnelli serves as the gala's honorary chair.
Timeline
Janet Jackson received the Icon honor in 2025.
The Gala of the Stars benefit event occurs on October 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The event highlights the growing role of private charitable galas in providing a social safety net for freelance performance artists. This approach extends the mission of Dancers Against Cancer by leveraging star power to secure essential resources for dancers battling medical crises.
The gala is a ticketed benefit event held at the Beverly Hilton, and supporters can contribute to the nonprofit's cause through attendance or donations. Access to the evening's ceremony and performances is restricted to those attending the function in person.
The takeaway
The gala highlights how celebrities can mobilize their influence to fund critical medical support for the arts community. Fans can monitor the organization's progress by following official updates regarding the impact of their annual charitable efforts.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest news in the dance world by visiting our Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
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