L’Alliance New York 2025 Gala Raises Over $2 Million, Honoring Angèle and Paddy McKillen at The Plaza Hotel

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

L’Alliance New York celebrated an extraordinary evening at The Plaza Hotel on November 14, 2025, raising more than $2 million in support of francophone culture, French language education, and cross-cultural artistic exchange. The sold-out gala, which welcomed 550 guests, honored international music icon Angèle and acclaimed hotelier and art collector Paddy McKillen, delivering a night defined by creativity, philanthropy, and unforgettable performances. As one of the city’s most significant cultural events, the 2025 Gala de L’Alliance showcased the organization’s commitment to elevating global voices and strengthening the cultural bridge between France and the United States.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

The evening opened with a refined culinary experience prepared by legendary chefs Daniel Boulud and Francis Mallmann, continuing L’Alliance’s tradition of spotlighting world-renowned French culinary talent. Actor Bradley Cooper, who introduced honoree Paddy McKillen with an impressively fluent speech delivered entirely in French, added star power and humor.

His speech—followed by McKillen’s lighthearted “What did that guy just say?”—sparked laughter across the French-American audience and set the celebratory tone for the night. Original artwork by the celebrated French-American artist Elizabeth Colomba further elevated the evening’s aesthetic, while a vibrant DJ set by French pop artist Julien Granel kept guests dancing past 2 AM.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

Angèle, recipient of the 2025 Trophée des Arts Award, was honored for her global impact on francophone music and her artistic evolution from viral social media covers to international superstardom. Her career began with witty, musically rich interpretations of popular songs that quickly captured digital audiences.

The release of her breakout singles—La Loi de Murphy, Je veux tes yeux, and La thune—catapulted her into mainstream recognition, followed by the record-breaking success of her debut album Brol. Within one year, the album sold over 500,000 copies, and Angèle swept the NRJ Music Awards with wins including French-Speaking Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Tout oublier.

Her influence continued to expand with her 2020 collaboration Fever with Dua Lipa, her acclaimed second studio album Nonante-Cinq in 2021, and a standout performance with Damso on Démons. Over the last two years, she has performed more than 95 shows worldwide, including two sold-out nights at Paris La Défense Arena, a memorable set at Coachella, and an appearance at the 2023 Met Gala.

She also delivered one of the defining moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics with a striking performance of Nightcall alongside Kavinsky and Phoenix. In 2025, Angèle became the global face of Chanel’s perfume Chance Eau Splendide, creating the campaign’s original anthem A Little More, reinforcing her position as a cultural icon and a global ambassador of French artistic expression.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

Paddy McKillen, awarded the 2025 Trophée de L’Alliance Award, was honored for his visionary work in hospitality, architecture, and cultural enrichment. Known for his sophisticated design philosophy and collaborations with architectural luminaries such as Jean Nouvel, Lord Richard Rogers, and Sir Norman Foster, McKillen has shaped some of the most admired hospitality spaces in the world.

His transformative development, Château La Coste in Aix-en-Provence, stands as a testament to his belief that art, nature, wine, and architecture can exist in perfect harmony. The 600-acre biodynamic estate welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors annually and features monumental works by artists like Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra, Jenny Holzer, Alexander Calder, and many others. With more than 70 exhibitions hosted in the past decade and global acclaim—including a Michelin Guide 3 Key Award for Villa La Coste—Château La Coste remains one of the world’s premier destinations for contemporary art and elevated French hospitality.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

McKillen’s contributions extend beyond his artistic vision. He was named an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2020, recognized by the French Ministry of Culture for his impact on global arts. In 2022, he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Ulster University for his achievements in hospitality and his contributions to peace and reconciliation in Ireland. He also currently serves as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Ireland, reflecting his ongoing commitment to cultural diplomacy.

During her remarks, Tatyana Franck, President of L’Alliance New York, articulated the spirit of the evening by emphasizing the significance of dreaming in French, celebrating the nuance, poetry, and creativity of the French language. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the organization’s belief that what is singular can be shared, what is unique can unify, and what is beautiful to one can inspire all.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

The 2025 Gala de L’Alliance was supported by Gala Champions CHANEL and led by Co-Chairs Amandine and Stephen Freidheim. Through the generosity of donors, trustees, and partners, the event achieved record-breaking fundraising totals, helping ensure the continued expansion of L’Alliance New York’s cultural programs, educational outreach, community initiatives, and artistic partnerships. The evening not only honored two influential cultural figures but also reaffirmed the organization’s role as one of the most important institutions advancing francophone culture in the United States.

Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for L’Alliance New York

The L’Alliance New York 2025 Gala ultimately stood as a tribute to artistic innovation, cultural dialogue, and the shared belief that creativity has the power to connect people across borders, languages, and generations. From Angèle’s global musical influence to Paddy McKillen’s architectural and cultural legacy, the honorees embodied the values of imagination, excellence, and openness that define L’Alliance New York. The night’s success—paired with its electric energy—ensured that the spirit of dreaming in French will continue inspiring audiences long after the last note of Julien Granel’s set echoed across The Plaza.