Menina Fortunato Covers 2026 Gala of the Stars as Janet Jackson Honors Missy Elliott

Bevery Hills, California, November 11th, 2026, FinanceWire

Menina Fortunato, host of The Business of Dance podcast, interviewed leading figures in dance and entertainment at the 2026 Gala of the Stars on October 22 at The Beverly Hilton. The event benefited Dancers Against Cancer (DAC).

Fortunato’s featured guests included Paula Abdul, Grammy-winning recording artist, choreographer and original American Idol judge; gala host Maks Chmerkovskiy, a Dancing with the Stars champion; James Charles, beauty creator and founder of Painted; and Hilaria Baldwin, author and star of TLC’s The Baldwins, who received the evening’s Philanthropist of the Year Award.

Abdul told Fortunato, “What a gift that dance has that ability to take you and elevate you out of any circumstance that you’re in, no matter what mental state you’re in.”

Her interviews also featured Vanguard Award honoree Vincent Paterson, the director and choreographer behind Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour, and Julie McDonald, co-founder of McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA). McDonald presented Paterson’s award alongside fellow MSA co-founder Tony Selznick.

Fortunato spoke with Laurieann Gibson, the Emmy-nominated director and choreographer known for her work with Lady Gaga; Gil Duldulao, Janet Jackson’s longtime choreographer and creative director; Dean Lee, a choreographer for Jackson’s Together Again Tour; Kevin Stea, associate choreographer and dance captain for Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour; and choreographer and recording artist Bobby Newberry, whose credits include the Pussycat Dolls.

Menina Fortunato with Laurieann Gibson, Gil Duldulao and Bobby Newberry.

The interview lineup also included Jamal Sims, whose choreography credits include Disney’s Aladdin and Encanto; Brooke Lipton, the 2026 Emmy-winning choreographer for Palm Royale; and Sophia Lucia, known for Dance Moms and her Guinness World Record of 55 consecutive pirouettes.

Additional interviews featured award presenter Anita Mann, So You Think You Can Dance executive producer Jeff Thacker, Etty Lau Farrell, Tiana Gandelman and DAC board member Michelle Webb. Fortunato also spoke with Tia Stokes, host of the previous evening’s Industry Dance Awards, and Liya Kazbekova, who performed “Proud Mary” with Dancing with the Stars professional Sasha Farber.

The gala featured Janet Jackson presenting the Icon Award to Missy Elliott. Abdul presented the Paula Abdul Legacy Award in posthumous recognition of Broadway legend Chita Rivera, while Carmen Electra presented Hilaria Baldwin with the Philanthropist of the Year Award. Toni Basil received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Anita Mann.

The evening raised more than $760,000 for Dancers Against Cancer.

Asked what helps dancers get rehired, Stea emphasized generosity and teamwork: “I give everything I can, and I’m looking out for everyone. I’m not just looking out for me. I’m looking out for every single person on that job.”

For more information about The Business of Dance and its podcast, visit www.bizofdance.com/thepodcast.

About Menina Fortunato and The Business of Dance

Menina Fortunato is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, and mentor. She has worked with global superstars such as Paula Abdul, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Her television credits include work on the creative teams of America’s Got Talent and The X Factor, her role as Maras on Star Trek: Enterprise, and serving as a judge on Dance Moms. She hosts The Business of Dance, the #1 rated dance career podcast, and leads its online mentorship program, providing professional advice and inspiration to dancers worldwide and helping them elevate their careers. Learn more at www.bizofdance.com.

About Dancers Against Cancer

Dancers Against Cancer is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to dance educators, choreographers, dancers and their families impacted by cancer. Supported by the dance community, its fundraising initiatives include the Industry Dance Awards and Gala of the Stars. Learn more at www.imadanceragainstcancer.org.

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