Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick rule at pre-Grammys gala

Keyshia Cole, from left, Gladys Knight, Frederic Yonnet, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick at the gala (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The night began with a rare sight – tennis champion Serena Williams was flustered.

“I’m a little nervous, I can’t breathe,” she said through an exasperated smile. “I’m usually really good at this.”