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NYC AGING HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL TALENT IS TIMELESS GRAND FINALE
2025 Citywide Competition Spotlights Older New Yorkers’ Artistic Excellence while Challenging Ageism
New York, NY – The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging), alongside Mayor Eric Adams, hosted the 2025 Talent is Timeless Grand Finale on Thursday, October 16 at the historic United Palace theater in Washington Heights. The theater was filled with attendees, who cheered on the 22 finalists while moving to the upbeat music, laughing at the wild jokes, and joining in on the dance routines. Now in its third year, Talent is Timeless has become a hallmark of New York City’s commitment to fighting ageism and creating opportunities for older adults to showcase their abilities. It is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the limitless potential of older New Yorkers.
One-thousand older New Yorkers from across the city took part in this year’s competition, beginning in May at local older adult centers, advancing to regional rounds, boroughwide rounds, and today’s Grand Finale.
“Our older adults never cease to amaze me,” said New York City Mayor Adams. “The passion, artistry, and courage on stage at our annual 'Talent is Timeless' competition represent the very best of New York City and is proof that creativity knows no age limit. I congratulate every performer who stepped up to share their gifts and remind us all that older New Yorkers are essential to the cultural heartbeat of our city.”
“The Talent is Timeless competition shows the beauty and creativity of our older New Yorkers. From dance classes at Older Adult Centers to this finale, we believe that it is critical to invest in spaces where older New Yorkers can build community, stay active, and nurture their unique talents,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave. “I’m grateful to the Mayor and NYC Aging for creating this annual event that demonstrates that artistry only grows with time and the joy that comes with sharing it.”
“Talent is Timeless shines a spotlight on older New Yorkers who continue to break barriers, create, and inspire,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “This program is a reminder that ageism has no place in our city. When older adults take the stage, they show us that imagination and expression are timeless.”
For the third year in a row actor and comedian Jackie Hoffman served as the emcee. The celebrity judges were two-time Tony winner Katie Finneran, dancer Lillian Colon, producer and Tony Award winner Irene Gandy, singer and actress Kecia Lewis, actor Antonio Melenciano, and actor BD Wong. Also, for the first time this year, there was an audience choice category that allowed attendees to vote for who they thought should win.
The winners of the 2025 Talent is Timeless competition are:
- 1st Place: Thelma Ruffin Thomas, Spoken Word (Original) Thelma's Rap
- 2nd Place: Barbara Gray, Singing Crazy
- 3rd Place: Amanda Rodriguez, Dancing La Negra
- Group Winner: KCS Dance Team, Dacing Overcomer
- Audience Choice: Barbara Gray, Singing Crazy
“For over 60 years, Ponce Bank has stood alongside the communities we serve, believing in the power of people to uplift one another. Talent is Timeless speaks to that same belief—recognizing the creativity, wisdom, and lasting impact of older adults in our neighborhoods” said Madeline V. Marque, EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer at Ponce Bank. “We’re proud to celebrate their contributions and help ensure they remain a vibrant part of our city’s future.”
“We have a mantra here at Road Scholar: Age Adventurously. That’s exactly what the contestants in Talent is Timeless are doing,” said Ann Simanis, AVP of Community Outreach at Road Scholar, a not-for-profit organization that has served 6.5M older adults on their educational travel programs over the last 50 years. “We’re so proud to be part of this event that celebrates the diverse ways people embrace life as they age, and to help reframe the conversation around what it means to grow older in today’s society.”
“Our older adult communities have once again demonstrated their talent and creativity, and we're proud to join them and the NYC Department of the Aging in the Talent is Timeless celebration said Ruth Fasoldt, Con Edison's Director of Government and Community Relations. “Con Edison is investing in the most reliable service in the nation and educating our customers to protect themselves from scammers. This partnership is about more than awareness—it’s about empowering our communities to stay safe.”
“At Juilliard Extension, we are deeply committed to supporting the creative experiences of New York’s older adults and to advancing the national movement in creative aging” said John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension. “Talent is Timeless exemplifies the power of lifelong learning, curiosity, and artistry, and we are proud to stand with this program as a call to action for recognizing and nurturing creativity at every age.”
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About NYC Aging:
The NYC Department for the Aging’s (NYC Aging) mission is to eliminate ageism and empower older adults to live independently in their communities. Through a network of more than 300 older adult centers and naturally occurring retirement communities, NYC Aging provides vital programs and resources to nearly 1.8 million older New Yorkers, fostering their physical and mental well-being.