Orlando Bloom, Darren Criss, Heidi Klum, Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow, and Robert Pattinson were among those who gathered at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for the ninth annual amfAR Gala Los Angeles.
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The event paid tribute to superstar recording artist Katy Perry and TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, who were presented with amfAR’s Award of Courage in recognition of their profound commitment to the fight against AIDS, as well as countless other humanitarian causes. The black-tie dinner and auction benefit featured a special performance by the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey and a stand-up comedy set by host Chris Tucker. The event also featured Perrier-Jouët Champagne and signature Absolut Elyx Vodka cocktails. More than $1.7 million was raised for amfAR’s lifesaving research programs.
Zack Bia, Ian Bohen, Matt Bomer, JR Bourne, Charlie Carver, Jon Corzine, Tara Dollinger, Tommy Dorfman, Carmen Electra, Max Emerson and Andres Camilo, Eve, Mayor Eric Garcetti, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, Gigi Gorgeous and Nats Getty, Kat Graham, Anwar Hadid, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Tricia Helfer, Barron Hilton, Tyler Hoechlin, Sarah Hyland, Kandee Johnson, Victoria Justice, Jaime King, Viktor Luna, Gilles Marini, Ongina, Robert Pattinson, Tyler Posey, Grant Reynolds, Luka Sabbat, Katee Sackhoff, Jeremy Scott, Milissa Sears, Stephanie Shepard, Travis Shinn, Robin Thicke, Luke Wessman, Rumer Willis, Brittany Xavier and others were also in attendance.
Longtime event chair Kevin Huvane opened the evening by welcoming guests and reminding them that their support directly impacts research that has the potential to end the AIDS epidemic once and for all. Huvane introduced Emmy Award winner Darren Criss, who took the stage to perform a medley of Katy Perry hits.
Chris Tucker greeted the audience and performed before introducing amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. Frost thanked sponsors and donors for making the evening possible. He also recognized guests who have been pioneers in the fight against AIDS, remarking that “our continued success, and ultimately, our quest to find a cure for this disease will be determined by committed individuals, just like all of you.”
Producer and entrepreneur Liz Heller presented the amfAR Award of Courage to TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, sharing stories of his work with South African youth affected by HIV/AIDS. Accepting his award, Blake Mycoskie shared his experience of losing a loved one to AIDS, and noted that 5,000 people still contract HIV every day. He reminded guests that their support makes them “the hero in the story” of ending AIDS.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti presented Katy Perry with the amfAR Award of Courage, speaking about how she has “distinguished herself as an activist—as somebody who cares about making the world better around her.” In her acceptance speech, Katy Perry shared that she “sees this award not as an acknowledgement of work completed or as a closing chapter, but as a symbol of the work that we will continue to do together.”
The event featured an exciting live auction conducted by Simon de Pury, with exclusive items including:
A day at Disneyland for six guests as the personal guest of Katy Perry.
A lunch with Blake Mycoskie and the opportunity to design personalized TOMS shoes sold three times.
A golf outing and lunch with Andy Garcia for four guests.
A private evening for 40 guests with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff at The Nice Guy featuring libations from Absolut Elyx Vodka and Perrier-Jouët Champagne.
A luxury truffle hunting excursion for six guests, which included three nights at the Locanda del Pilone in Piedmont, Italy, Michelin-starred white truffle dinner, and private tour and wine tasting at Boroli estate with Achille Boroli
A Rolex “DeepSea” Edition watch signed by H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco and tickets to the Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean.
An exclusive invitation to attend the 2019 Monaco ePrix and gala dinner as the guest of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco.
The evening’s fundraising efforts culminated with a cash call donation match of up to $50,000 by global investment firm Bain Capital. Donations were made in honor of amfAR Award of Courage recipient Blake Mycoskie, who partnered with Bain Capital in 2014 to help TOMS further its mission. Longtime amfAR supporter Fredrik Eklund kicked off the cash call with a $30,000 donation.
Chris Tucker directed the audience to move from dinner into the Wallis Annenberg theater, where the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey ended the night with a spectacular orchestral performance of “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “I Am What I Am,” and “Goldfinger.” After the moving and powerful performance, guests attended the after party at Delilah, the exclusive Los Angeles club.
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton served as Honorary Chair of the event. Milutin Gatsby and Kevin Huvane were Event Chairs. Co-Chairs of the event included Derek Blasberg, Orlando Bloom, Matt Bomer and Simon Halls, Achille Boroli, Adrien Brody, Gerard Butler, Bradford Cobb, Jay Cooper, Robert Davi, Goldie Hawn, Ngoc Hoang-Delvecchio, Stephen Huvane, Steven Jensen, Trish Kinane, Martin Kirkup, Eva Longoria, Madonna, Jamie Mizrahi, Robert Pattinson, Alan Poul and Ari Karpel, Lionel Richie, William H. Roedy, Jeremy Scott, Ryan Seacrest, Jonas Tåhlin, John Terzian, Robin Thicke, and Dasha Zhukova.
Pernod Ricard was the Signature Partner, featuring Perrier-Jouët Champagne and Absolut Elyx Vodka. Bain Capital was the Associate Sponsor. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR. Wines generously provided by Boroli.
The amfAR Gala Los Angeles is produced by Josh Wood Productions and managed by STAMP Event Management.
To date, the amfAR Gala Los Angeles has raised more than $14 million for amfAR’s life-saving research programs.
