Why Emmy Rossum Almost Showed Up Naked at the American Ballet Theatre Gala

Ballerinas dressed in Hungarian-style costumes posed in the Metropolitan Opera House’s Grand Tier last night, where the floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooked Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City. Guests were dressed in their finest ensembles for the Parisian-themed affair, while pink and purple carnations adorned the blue and white striped cocktail tables which were set under glittering chandeliers. What was the glamorous occasion? The American Ballet Theatre's 2014 Opening Night Spring Gala, which was attended by fans like Taye Diggs, Selena Gomez, Emmy Rossum, Sigourney Weaver, Karlie Kloss, and Coco Rocha.

Many of the stars, including Zoe Kravitz, Estelle, and Kelly Rowland were celebrating their first time at the ballet, while other frequenters like Rossum and Weaver were eager to celebrate. "Ballet is the ultimate athleticism. It’s strength. It’s grace. It’s coordination, understanding of timing, interacting with your fellow players onstage, it’s storytelling—it's all just really beautiful," Rossum tells InStyle. "When you see somebody do it well, it’s very emotional in a way."

While the stars were serious about the ballet performance, they were more lax about their own dancing skills and eager to share their signature moves. "I love to dance," Diggs, in a dapper John Varvatos ensemble, says. "My best move depends on the music, how I’m feeling, and how much I’ve had to drink." Meanwhile, Rossum discussed her lack of skills. "I don't consider myself a good dancer, I'm not coordinated enough," the actress shares. "I dance in my underwear, and it’s usually just fist pumps with some kind of pop and thrust." Rocha's favorite dance move is of a different type altogether: the Irish jig. "The first rule of thumb is someone else has to break out in an Irish jig before I do," the model says. "Even in a nightclub! Everyone loves a jig in a nightclub!"

One slight problem to occur right before the otherwise beautiful evening began? "My dress showed up about 12 minutes before the show started. I think there was some kind of tailoring mishap," Rossum tells InStyle of her Lanvin gown. "I almost came naked, but I didn’t."

Want more from the beautiful event? Go inside the American Ballet Theatre's 2014 Opening Night Spring Gala in our gallery now!

—With reporting by Brooke Mazurek and Yelena Shuster.

Selena Gomez

arrived at event in a gorgeous Lanvin creation. "I have never taken ballet lessons, but this might inspire me to," Gomez tells InStyle. "It's a very beautiful interpretation of emotion and I love it."

Taye Diggs

came out to the event in a dapper John Varvatos ensemble. "I love to dance," Diggs says. "My dance anthem right now is 'Happy' by Pharrell."

Emmy Rossum

showed up in a dark green Lanvin gown with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels. "My dress showed up about 12 minutes before the show started. I think there was some kind of tailoring mishap," Rossums shares with us. "I almost came naked."

Estelle, Coco Rocha, and Anne V

were a gorgeous trio at the event. "I used to do ballet when I was very young," Rocha (in Lanvin) tells InStyle. "I love dance. If this world would let me be part of it, I would love to learn and train as a dancer again." Estelle opted for a vintage teal dress, while Anne V chose a white Honor gown for the black tie occasion.

Zoe Kravitz

celebrated her first time at the ballet in a stunning Lanvin gown. "Living in New York City, you forget about all the amazing and rich things we can experience like the ballet, so I'm excited to be a part of that today," Kravitz shares.

Karlie Kloss

showed off her best model pose in a black-and-white Lanvin frock. "Growing up, I was constantly at the ballet studio," she tells InStyle. “Unfortunately I never made it quite to the Lincoln Center stage, but I made it just around the corner to the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Kelly Rowland

made her way to the gala in a golden Lanvin ensemble and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. "I'm very excited for tonight!" Rowland tells InStyle. "I was supposed to go to the ballet once before but never made."

Sigourney Weaver

attended in a metallic Lanvin and introduced the Opening Night Gala. "Ballet, for me, is like going to a faraway planet—especially the classical ballets," Weaver says. "They take my breath away."

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