BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Katy Perry attends the amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Katy Perry
amfAR knows how to throw a party! Hollywood’s biggest A-listers came out to support the Foundation for AIDS Research organization, which raised over $1.7 million for amfAR’s lifesaving research programs.
Orlando Bloom, Darren Criss, Heidi Klum, Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow, and Robert Pattinson were among those who gathered last night at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for the ninth annual amfAR Gala Los Angeles. 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.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Robert Pattinson attends the amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) *** Local Caption *** Robert Pattinson
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.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Darren Criss performs onstage at amfAR Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Tachman/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) *** Local Caption *** Darren Criss
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.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Blake Mycoskie attends amfAR Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Tachman/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) *** Local Caption *** Blake Mycoskie
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.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Katy Perry attends the amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Tachman/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) *** Local Caption *** Katy Perry
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.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 18: Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby (L) and Chris Tucker attend the amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2018 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on October 18, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Tachman/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) *** Local Caption *** Chris Tucker; Milutin Gatsby
To date, the amfAR Gala Los Angeles has raised more than $14 million for life-saving research programs.
For more information, please visit http://amfar.org/LA2018/ or email amfargalalosangeles@amfar.org.
About amfAR:
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, the organization has invested more than $517 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide.