HOSTED BY SIR ELTON JOHN AND DAVID FURNISH
RAISED $6.2 MILLION TO HELP END HIV/AIDS
The 24th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish raised $6.2 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The gala, which took place on Sunday, February 28, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, was generously sponsored by BVLGARI, M∙A∙C Cosmetics, and Neuro Drinks and Diana Jenkins.
Attendees included Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Andie Macdowell , Andreja Pejic, Andrew Rannells, Anthony Anderson, Ashlee Simpson, Ashley Greene, Ashley Tisdale, Beck, Bellamy Young, Boy George, Brandy, Brittany Snow, Caitlyn Jenner, Caity Lotz, Camilla Luddington , Cara Santana, Carson Kressley, Charlie Sheen, Charlotte McKinney , Cheyenne Jackson, Chris Hardwick, Dave Grohl, Dave Navarro, Dita Von Teese, Duff McKagan, Emily Ratajkowski, Eric McCormack, Erika Christensen, Evan Ross, Gordon Ramsay, Hailey Baldwin, Harry Shum Jr., Heidi Klum, Hilary Swank, Ian Somerhalder, Jacob Tremblay, Jamie Kennedy , Jeffrey Tambor, Jesse Metcalfe, Karrueche Tran, Katrina Bowden, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Rowland, La La Anthony, Lana Del Rey, Lea Michele, Lydia Hearst, Maggie Grace, Mariah Carey, Martha Hunt, Mary J. Blige, Matt Sorum, Matthew Morrison, Melanie Griffith, Mena Suvari, Nikki Reed, Robert Kraft, Russell Simmons, Sarah Hyland, Serayah, Sheryl Crow, Sofia Milos , Steve Nash , Steven Tyler, Tamera Mowry, Tim Allen, Tommy Hilfiger, Tracee Ellis Ross , Trey Parker, Verdine White, Vicky Jeudy , Vince Vaughn, Willa Holland, Zac Posen, Zooey Deschanel, among others.
Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 88th Academy Awards® telecast. For a fourth consecutive year, Chef Gordon Ramsay, British celebrity chef, television personality, restaurateur, and holder of 14 Michelin stars, prepared an exquisite 5-course meal for guests.
The dinner was followed by a lively auction, which featured a Mariah Robertson artwork, a stunning BVLGARI Serpenti 18 kt white gold full pavé diamond necklace, a five-day vacation at Steven Tyler’s Hawaiian retreat, four unique crystal sculptures from the Elton John Music Is Love for Lalique collection, and tickets to the exclusive Vanity Fair Oscar Party later that evening.
Following the auction, Elton John and his band took the stage for a memorable performance of some of his greatest hits, including several numbers from Elton’s new album Wonderful Crazy Night, co-produced by Elton and the legendary T-Bone Burnett with lyrics by Bernie Taupin.
Audi, BBVA Compass, TheBLUEFISH, and StyleHaul partnered with EJAF as the evening’s Co-Sponsors, and Fin Gray and Michael Melnick were Associate Sponsors. The Foundation is especially grateful to the City of West Hollywood for continued collaboration with EJAF on shared goals. American Airlines is EJAF’s official airline.
In his remarks for the evening, EJAF Founder Sir Elton John thanked his guests for enthusiastically participating in the evening’s audience participation feature, which enabled guests to make gifts to the Foundation on the spot using their cell phones. Throughout the evening video messages from EJAF supporters including Samuel L. Jackson, as well as live messages from EJAF friends Matthew Morrison and Jeffrey Tambor, encouraged guests to text in pledges to support the Foundation’s urgent mission.
“By supporting our work, you are standing up against the issues that drive the AIDS epidemic. You are speaking out against racism, helping to end poverty and homelessness, and rejecting homophobia,” said Elton. “You are advocating an end to mass incarceration and supporting universal access to drug rehabilitation and healthcare for all. Fighting AIDS means fighting the things that divide us. Ending AIDS means ending these injustices. By being here tonight, you are saying NO to stigma, NO to the status quo, and YES to a more just and equal society and the end of AIDS.”
Full Electronic Press Kit (EPK) and photos will be available at LINK.
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Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5321. And on Twitter @ejaforg.
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ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION – At EJAF, we believe that AIDS can be beaten. We act on that belief by raising funds for evidence-based programs and policies, and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives. Sir Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993. Through hard work and with the help of our kind and generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than $349 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS. The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Join us in speaking out, taking action, and contributing to our efforts to achieve a world without AIDS. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.
BVLGARI – Part of the LVMH Group, Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewelry shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewelry creations. The Company’s international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes, with an unrivalled network of boutiques and hotels in the world’s most exclusive shopping areas.
M∙A∙C COSMETICS – M·A·C is the world’s leading professional makeup authority because of our unrivalled expertise in makeup ARTISTRY. M·A·C celebrates diversity and INDIVIDUALITY – we are for All Ages, All Races, All Sexes. M·A·C is a proud COMMUNITY of professional makeup artists working together to bring our vision to life. M·A·C is at the forefront of fashion TRENDSETTING, collaborating with leading talents from fashion, art and popular culture. Our Artists create trends backstage at fashion weeks around the world. M·A·C believes in SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, with initiatives such as VIVA GLAM and the M·A·C AIDS Fund at the heart and soul of our unique culture.
One hundred percent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM lip products goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund, which helps people affected by HIV/AIDS globally. With the support of spokespeople like Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and most recently, Ariana Grande, the M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised more than $400 million exclusively through the sales of VIVA GLAM lip products. Part of the Estée Lauder Companies since 1994, M·A·C is sold today in over 107 countries around the world. It remains committed to developing new categories, products and over 70 collections each year, all of which continue to serve the demand of consumers and professional makeup artists alike. For more information, please visit http://www.maccosmetics.com/.
NEURO DRINKS – is the revolutionary line of Functional Beverages with the goal of offering healthy beverages that benefit body and mind. Bottled proudly in California and New York with the purest of ingredients, Neuro Drinks are Vegan, Gluten Free, and have no artificial colors or flavors. Each Neuro Bottle is BPA Free and 100% recyclable, while every Neuro Drink contains a low calorie count of 35 calories per bottle. Neuro SONIC is a healthy and superiorly refreshing alternative to the standard energy drink, combining optimal doses of green tea derived natural caffeine, superfruit extracts of pomegranate, acai, and blueberry. Neuro DAILY is your own private body guard that offers you daily health with 1000IU of Vitamin D, pure Organic Aloe Vera from volcanic rich soil, as well as rich antioxidants. Neuro BLISS is clinically studied to reduce stress and cortisol levels. It is built from a blend of high quality ingredients provided at peak levels to destress and calm your mind. Neuro SLEEP helps with the one thing we all love and don’t get enough of: calm, restful sleep. A full serving of melatonin and magnesium in Neuro SLEEP work together to bring you a delicious, dormant, and dreamful night. To learn more visit www.drinkneuro.com.
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AMERICAN AIRLINES – American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines. Together with regional partners operating as American Eagle, American offers an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. This year, American Airlines Group Inc. topped Fortune Magazine’s list of best business turnarounds, and its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
American Airlines is the official airline of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.