By: Sarah Bolgan
April 20, 2026
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The celebrity guest list for the 13th-annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala was unveiled Monday, and several notable actors, musicians, athletes and more are expected to be in attendance.
The gala will be 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1, the night before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, at the Galt House Hotel.
Celebrity guests will include Anthony Ramos, Gina Torres, Andrea Canning, Danica McKellar, Melissa Joan Hart, Griffin Johnson, Nora Roberts, Zach Randolph and 2026 Miss America Cassie Donegan.
The musical lineup for the gala includes, Richie Sambora, Phillip Phillips, Sugarhill Gang, John Elefante, Lorrie Morgan, Elliot Lurie and Johnny Edwards.
“Race times may change, but one thing will not – Unbridled Eve will continue to be an unforgettable experience,” said Tammy York-Day and Tonya York, co-founders of the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala and the Unbridled Charitable Foundation. “We have an unmatched lineup of top musical acts, as well as stars from stage, screen, sports, and new media. It’s all possible thanks to a family of volunteers, valued partners, and supportive sponsors, both long-time and new. For this one night, we bring people from around to the world to our old Kentucky home to showcase the best our community has to offer, while helping those in our community who need it most.”
Performers/Musical Guests:
Phillip Phillips – singer-songwriter and winner of American Idol
Richie Sambora – guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, Grammy winner
John Elefante – Grammy-winning former lead singer of Kansas
Sugarhill Gang – pioneering hip-hop group best known for “Rapper’s Delight”
Elliot Lurie – lead singer of Looking Glass; “Brandy”
Orianthi – Australian guitarist and singer known for her work with Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper, and for her hit “According to You”
Lorrie Morgan – award-winning country music star
Johnny Edwards – rock vocalist best known as a former lead singer of Foreigner
The Crashers – one of the nation’s best party bands; have shared the stage with several world-famous artists including Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith, and more!
DJ 2nd Nature
All-Star Jam:
Layla Spring – singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant
JD Shelburne – Kentucky-based country artist known for high-energy performances
Bob Guiney – television personality and musician, known from The Bachelor; Member of Band from TV
John Schneider – actor and country singer best known for The Dukes of Hazzard; Runner-up on Season 10 of “The Masked Singer”
Alyssa & Wayne Brewer – bluegrass and gospel performers known for their family band collaborations
China Lacy – Singer/Former Member of Linkin’ Bridge
Nat Myers – Korean-American blues poet
Welcome Choir: Holy Spirit School Youth Choir
Sports:
Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer
Zach Randolph – former NBA All-Star
Harry Douglas – ESPN Analyst
Michael Eaves – Anchor, ESPN SportsCenter
Bonnie-Jill Laflin – Actress, sportscaster, and NBA scout for the Los Angeles Lakers
Aron Haddad – actor/pro wrestler
Jeff Brohm – head football coach at the University of Louisville
MacKenly Randolph – UofL Women’s Basketball starter
Mario Urrutia – Former Cincinnati Bengals player and University of Louisville linebacker
Valerie Combs – pioneering UofL Women’s Basketball player
Jean Cruguet – former Triple Crown winner on Seattle Slew
Michael Manganello – Hall of Fame KY Derby Winner on Dust Commander
Sandy Hawley – Hall of Fame jockey
Kaoru Tsuchiya Hawley – First Japanese female jockey
Other Celebrities/VIPs:
Anthony Ramos – Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor and Grammy-winning recording artist; “Hamilton”, “In the Heights”
Gina Torres – “Suits”, “Firefly”
Andrea Canning – Dateline NBC
Griffin Johnson – part owner of 2026 KY Derby contender, Silent Tactic; Co-Founder of venture capital firm Animal Capital; TikTok influencer
Melissa Joan Hart – “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Clarissa Explains it All”, “Holiday in Handcuffs”, “A Merry Little Exmas”
Danica McKellar – actress, mathematician, and NY Times bestselling author; “The Wonder Years”
Nora Roberts – bestselling romance and suspense author
John Schneider – “The Dukes of Hazzard”; “The Masked Singer”
Cassie Donegan – Miss America 2026
Bob Guiney – “The Bachelor”, host of “Deal or No Deal”, host of iHeart podcast, “Almost Famous: the OG’s”
Amanda Christine – “IT: Welcome to Derry”; “Black Box”
Rob Angel – founder of Pictionary; author
Dallas McGarity – Fat Lamb Chef and Owner; James Beard Award semifinalist
David Domine – author of “A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City” which inspired the HBO Original “Murder in Glitterball City”
Nicolee Burks – Big Nita’s Cheesecakes
Dr. Ajmal Zemmar – Renowned Neurosurgeon; featured in the documentary “After Death”
Holly Lynnea – comedian
Vince Emmett – producer of “Reagan”
Tom Mabe – comedian
Chris Blandford – Adult Beverage Expert
Ethan the Dog – compassion ambassador; inspired the film, EthanAlmighty
Heather French Henry – former Miss America
The Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
Ben Jackey – Emmy-winning Unbridled Eve red carpet host
Nick Ferrara – national host and emcee
Tonya York/Tammy York – co-founders, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
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About Miss America
Miss America’s mission is Empowering Women to Lead with Purpose as the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women. Founded in 1921, the iconic Miss America program is also America’s largest provider of tuition-only scholarship awards for women, distributing all scholarships through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc. a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.