UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability (IoES) held the 2019 Hollywood for Science Gala in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 21.
Credit/Copyright: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
This year’s annual event honored legendary singer, songwriter, actress, and director Barbra Streisand and world-renowned super model Gisele Bündchen for their environmental activism. The event featured performances by six-time Grammy award-winning artist Ms. Lauryn Hill and Grammy award-winner CeeLo Green. All proceeds from the black-tie benefit will support IoES and all of their initiatives.
Hosted by IoES Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby along with Lawrence Bender and Alexandria Jackson, this year’s event took place at the private Bel Air estate of Jeanne and Tony Pritzker.
Streisand, who was introduced by Norman Lear, expressed her gratitude to IoES for the work they’re doing to support a healthy planet. “I’ve always been struck by the Iroquois’ Seven Generations principle. Before they made any decision, they considered the impact it would have seven generations to come. It wasn’t only about today. It wasn’t about profits. It was about the health of the earth for future generations. I recently became a grandma and I can’t help but wonder what kind of planet will be left for my granddaughter…and yours…after unrestrained climate change.”
Following an introduction from Anjelica Huston, Bündchen echoed Streisand’s passion, further urging everyone in the room to not just raise awareness for the current environmental crisis but emphasizing the need to take action now. “We are all in this together. We need to find ways to use our unique gifts and collaborate with each other to keep this magical planet rocking, so future generations can continue thriving and enjoying this beautiful planet for a very long time.”
Guests included Hollywood for Science Co-Chairs Gerard Butler, Courteney Cox, Anjelica Huston, Adriana Lima, Laurence Fishburne, Robin Thicke, Lyn and Norman Lear, Nina Dobrev, Andy Garcia, Angela Lindvall, Taylor Hill, Maryna Lunchuk and Isabeli Fontana. Additional guests of the evening include Tom Brady, Josh Brolin, Petra Nemcova, Jasmine Tookes, Julia Jones, Donna Karan, Jasper Paakonen, Josie Canseco, Todd Morgan and Rosanna Arquette, and Kevin Kwan who attended with Singapore’s most acclaimed actress, Tan Kheng Hua.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed house cocktails made with Dobel Tequila. During an exceptionally curated auction led by star auctioneer Simon de Pury, guests bid on a variety of highly curated experiences including a trip to Nepal and a helicopter tour of Mt. Everest. Richie Akiva and 10AK hosted an after party following the evening’s spectacular events. This year’s gala was presented by Chopard.
