Sir Elton John and David Furnish hosted their famous Oscar viewing party, raising millions for a good cause.
Sir Elton John knows how to throw a bash! His 27th annual Academy Award viewing party had no shortage of celebrities with deep pockets. The star-studded event took in over $6.3 million dollars. The money was donated to the Elton John Aids Foundation, which has helped the fight to end HIV/AIDS since 1992.
The Foundation has raised more than $406 million world-wide to challenge discrimination against people affected by the epidemic, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS. However, the “Rocket Man” singer says more needs to be done.
“We’ve come an awful long way obviously I mean 27 years ago we never thought we’d be here. We never thought we’d come so far in treating this disease, but we still have a long way to go,” he told reporters at the event.
“We have to get the medicine to the people who need it, we have to get the price of the medicines down, and more importantly as I say every year to you guys, we have to get rid of the stigma. But you know we’re slowly battling away and I’m still confident in a few years’ time, we’ll see the end of this,” he added.
Although there has been major success in fighting the disease, Furnish revealed new concerns about HIV/AIDS.
“It’s the alarming rise of new infections amongst the young that shouldn’t be happening because with the tools available today if you’re positive and you’re properly medicated, you don’t pass the virus onto someone else and if you’re at high risk, you can take (inaudible). But the trouble is, the stigma that Elton’s discussed, the lack of access to healthcare, lack of access to testing and treatment, you’re seeing a huge bump in new infections in young people.”
John continued, “The Especially in the rural south of America, in the Afro-American community. Young, gay black men are really a problem area here. And if it carries on at least one in two gay African Americans will be infected with this disease and we do not want to see that.”
Supporters of the cause and guests included Heidi Klum, Diana Ross, Kate Mara, Paris Hilton, Adriana Lima, Judith Light and Chase Crawford. Partygoers dined on a lavish meal prepared by Chef Wayne Elias and Crumble Catering who has handled Elton John’s Oscar party menu for 15 years.
“Elton’s team tastes my menu suggestions and make the decisions on what we serve,” enthused Elias. “Each year, we do a five-course, sit down, waiter-served menu. Last year we had Chicken Canneloni, Scallop Truffle Vegetable Consomme, Filet Mignon, Sea Bass, and Arugula Salad with Comte Cheese.”
“I treat every year with Elton like it’s my first year working with him. With such an important client and one of Hollywood’s biggest events of the year you can’t rest on your laurels,” he told The Voluntourist.
In addition to working with Elton John, Elias is on the Board for Project Angel Food, donating and helping many organizations in the LGBT Community such as The Center, Aid for Aids, Trevor Project and GLAAD.
“I lost a partner to AIDS during the epidemic and have always said I would do anything to help end this disease that has affected our community,” he said. “So I can give back through my passion and business to all organizations in the LGBT Community.”
Even if you can’t attend Elton’s event, you can still order food from Elias’ restaurant, Rockwell Table & Stage!
The night ended with the Killers performing a long set and Taron Egerton singing ‘Tiny Dancer” with Sir Elton John himself.