Colombian Senator Elect Arrives at Gala in Elephant Costume

Luis Carlos Rúa showed up to the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala on Oct. 29 in Manhattan wearing a full white elephant costume. He later changed into an all-black suit. He kept carrying a stuffed white elephant, a mascot he used during his 2026 Senate campaign in Colombia, where he ran on an anti-corruption platform and won.

The gala drew figures from health, climate, business, sports, and entertainment. Himesh Patel, who appeared in Odyssey, spoke with Wawira Njiru, founder of Food4Education. Sombr met Joey King. Tyrese Maxey dined with Druski. Curry Barker, director of the horror film Obsession, spoke with actor Paapa Essiedu between courses.

Raye, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, performed during the evening. She sang a cover of Julie London's "Cry Me a River" and "Happier Times Ahead" from her album This Music May Contain Hope. "Hope is a cheesy, but necessary emotion," she said.

Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target presented the gala.

Rúa's costume referenced unfinished public infrastructure projects in Colombia. He held the stuffed elephant throughout the evening after changing clothes.