LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 25th
annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party
hosted by Sir Elton John and
David Furnish raised a
record-breaking $7 million for the
global effort to end AIDS. The gala, which took place on
Sunday, February 26, at West
Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, was
generously sponsored by BVLGARI, Neuro Drinks and Diana Jenkins.
Attendees included Sir Elton John
and David Furnish, Adam Lambert, Adriana
Lima, Alano Miller,
Alessandra Ambrosio, Amy Landecker, Andie
Macdowell, Andrew Rannells,
Anita Baker, Anna Musky,
Ashley Tisdale, Ava DuVernay, Beck and Marissa Ribisi, Beejan Land, Bellamy Young, Bernie
Taupin, Beverly Johnson, Big
Sean, Bradley Whitford, Bryan Singer, Caitlyn
Jenner, Caroline Vreeland,
Carrie Brownstein, Cheyenne Jackson, Chris
Colfer, Chris Cornell and
Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Hardwick, Chrissy
Metz, Ciara, Colman Domingo,
Colton Haynes, Daniel Paltridge (President, North America at Bulgari), David Alan Grier, David
Bisbal, Diana Jenkins,
Dorit Kemsley, Eric Esrailian, Eric and
Janet McCormack, Freida
Pinto, Gabby Douglas, Gaby
Hoffmann, Gordon Ramsay,
Heidi Klum, Jane Seymour, Jay
Duplass, JC Chasez, Jeffrey
Tambor, Jhene Aiko, John
Demsey (Group President at Estee Lauder), Josephine Skriver, Judith Light, Justin
Hartley, Karen Buglisi
(Global Brand President at M∙A∙C), Katharine McPhee, Keesha
Sharp, Kiersey Clemons, Kyle
MacLachlan and Desiree
Gruber, Lady Caroline
Grainge, Laverne Cox,
Lea Michele, Leona Lewis, Lizzy
McGroder, Lottie Moss,
Luke Hemsworth, Lydia Hearst, Mark
O'Brien, Matthew Morrison,
Michelle Dockery, Mike Colter, Mike Medavoy, Parky and
Peter Fonda, Patricia Hearst, Paul
Kemsley, Paz Vega and
Oren Segal, Petra Nemcova, Quincy
Jones, Rachel Griffiths,
Regina King, Ricky Martin, Robert
Kraft, Ruby Rose,
Russell Simmons, Russell Wilson, Ryan
Adams, Ryan Kwanten, Sandra
Lee, Seth MacFarlane,
Sharon Stone, Smokey and Francis Robinson, Sting and
Trudie Styler, Terry George, Tim and
Jane Allen, Toni Collette,
Tony Goldwyn, Tracee Ellis Ross, Vanessa Hudgens, and Yvonne Orji, among others.
Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails
followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 89th Academy Awards®
telecast. For a fifth consecutive year, Chef Gordon Ramsay, British celebrity chef,
television personality, restaurateur, and holder of 14 Michelin
stars, prepared an exquisite five-course meal for guests. Moët
Hennessy provided champagne, wines were provided by Domaine Bertaud Belieu, and spirits were
provided by Chopin Vodka and Clase Azul Tequila.
During the evening, Elton and David introduced Open Road and
Survival Pictures' new film – The Promise – which tells the story
of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey
at the outset of World War I. Written by Terry George and Robin
Swicord and directed by Terry
George (Hotel Rwanda), The Promise stars Oscar Issac, Christian
Bale, and Charlotte Le
Bon.
In addition to sharing EJAF's vision for championing human
rights, The Promise team at Survival Pictures has taken the
unprecedented step of making the commitment to donate all proceeds
from the film to nonprofit humanitarian organizations including
EJAF. As part of this commitment, Survival Pictures matched
the pledges guests made to EJAF via text and live auction purchases
during the event to help make EJAF's 25th annual Academy Awards
Viewing Party a record-setting evening.
The dinner was followed by a lively auction conducted by
Alexander Gilkes of Paddle8, which
featured a Barrie Wentzell fine art
print Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Hampstead Heath, 1970; BVLGARI
Diva's Dream Necklace in white gold with pavé diamonds; Lalique and
Damien Hirst Eternal Love, Eternal Beauty, and Eternal Hope limited
edition crystal panels; Norman Seeff
fine art prints Carly Simon,
Los Angeles, 1974, and
Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith, New
York, "Robert and Patti II," 1969; a RETNA painting Close
Lipped, 2016; a five-day vacation at Steven Tyler's Hawaiian
retreat; and two tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Following the auction, St. Paul
& the Broken Bones took the stage for an exciting performance
of their hit songs, including "I'll Be Your Woman" with Sir
Elton John.
Audi, BBVA Compass, TheBLUEFISH, M∙A∙C Viva Glam, and StyleHaul
partnered with EJAF as the evening's Co-Sponsors; the Foundation
for Global Sports Development, Fin Gray and Michael Melnick, Ron
Burkle, and Bob and Tamar
Manoukian 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, EJAF Founder Sir Elton
John thanked his guests for enthusiastically participating
in an audience participation feature, which enabled guests to make
gifts to the Foundation on the spot using their cell phones.
Throughout the evening, live messages from EJAF friends
Laverne Cox, Sharon Stone, Jeffrey
Tambor, Amy Landecker,
Gaby Hoffmann, Judith Light, and Jay
Duplass encouraged guests to text in pledges to support the
Foundation's urgent mission. The first 40 guests who donated
$5,000 or more received a
Christopher Makos limited edition
print Andy American Flag, 1969.
"As we look back on our efforts over the past 25 years to
prevent HIV infections, help people living with the disease, and
speak up for their rights, we have a lot to be proud of and a lot
of valuable experiences to inform our work going forward," said
Elton. "This party and our work have always been about love,
inclusion, fairness, and good health for everyone. We believe these
remedies can cure anything – most especially AIDS."
Full Electronic Press Kit (EPK) and photos are available
here.
ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION – At EJAF, we believe 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 almost
25 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 network of kind and generous friends
and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than
$350 million over the past quarter
century 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 – 2014 marked the 130th year of Bulgari, a name
emblematic of Italian excellence. Emboldened by 2,700 years of
Roman history, Bulgari honors its rich past with modern designs.
Known for stylistic audacity and a penchant for color, Bulgari
pieces are immediately recognizable. Designing with the sensuality
of volume, a love of linearity and a reverence for the art and
architecture of Bulgari's Greek and Roman roots, these iconic
features are found in each of Bulgari's creations. Harmonized with
Rome's ancient history, Bulgari
incorporates the city's symbolism while innovating its design for
the future. Classic yet contemporary, Bulgari upholds its 130-year
legacy with a timeless sense of exquisite beauty.
Originating in Rome, Bulgari
was founded as a jewelry shop in 1884 by Greek silversmith
Sotirio Bulgari. With passionate
skill and vision, he set the stage for Bulgari to become a
permanent emblem of Italian excellence. For the 130 years
thereafter, Bulgari's ceaseless creativity, formidable history of
innovation and a bold pioneering spirit led the jewelry House to
become a legend. Bulgari is a name that has become synonymous
with artisanal craftsmanship, avant-garde materials and unrivalled
design. The Eternal City's architectural beauty has long inspired
the Italian jeweler: Bulgari reinterprets the majestic symbols of
Rome with extraordinary editions
of jewelry, watches, accessories and perfumes. For more
information, please visit www.bulgari.com/en-us/.
NEURO DRINKS – a line of healthy beverages for the body
and the mind. Bottled proudly in the
United States 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 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. Neuro TRIM is a trifecta of pre- and
probiotic fibers, providing an excellent source of total fiber in
addition to promoting digestive health and supporting weight loss
efforts. 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 SONIC is a refreshing alternative to the standard energy
drink, utilizing green tea-based ingredients and superfruit
extracts of pomegranate, acai, and blueberry to deliver clinically
proven benefits such as sustained energy, better attention and
reduced fatigue. 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. To
learn more visit www.drinkneuro.com.
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.
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SOURCE Elton John AIDS Foundation