The 21st annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish raised $6 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The gala, which took place on Sunday, February 24, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, was co-sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks, and Wells Fargo; American Airlines serves as the Foundation’s official sponsoring airline. Attendees included Sir Elton John & David Furnish, Agnes Bruckner, Aisha Tyler, Andrew Rannells, Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer, Ashley Fink, Benji Madden, Bernie Taupin, Billie Jean King, Bono, Britney Spears, Bryan Singer, Carmen Electra, Chace Crawford, Chad Michael Murray, Chelsea Handler, Chris Brown, Chris Colfer, Chris Cornell, Christa B. Allen, Colton Haynes, Dave Grohl, Dustin Lance Black, Emma Roberts, Emmy Rossum, Eric & Janet McCormack, Finola Hughes, George Takei, Heidi Klum, Ian Somerhalder, Jaime King, Jane Lynch, Jane Seymour, Jared Harris, JC Chasez, Academy Award winner Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jenna Elfman, Jennifer Coolidge, Jessica Lowndes, Jim Carrey, Joel Madden, John Ratzenberger, John Waters, Judy Greer, Karina Smirnoff, Katerina Graham, Kelly Osbourne, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kyle MacLachlan, Lucy Lawless, Lydia Hearst, Matthew Morrison, Mehcad Brooks, Mel Brown, Mena Suvari, Michael Buble, Miley Cyrus, Molly Sims, Naomi Campbell, Natalie Imbruglia, Nia Vardalos Nicki Minaj, Nicole Richie, Nina Dobrev, Nina Garcia, Paul Wesley, Paz Vega, Peter Facinelli, Petra Nemcova, Quincy Jones, Rachel Griffiths, Randy Jackson, Rose McGowan, Russell Simmons, Ryan Kwanten, Sandra Lee, Sharon Stone, Skylar Grey, Steven Tyler, Terry Crews, Tim Allen, Topher Grace, Wilmer Valderrama, among others.
Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 84th Academy Awards® telecast. This year, Chef Gordon Ramsay, British celebrity chef, television personality, restaurateur, and holder of 14 Michelin stars, prepared an exquisite 5-course meal for guests that included chilled dungeness crab, braised beef short rib and sticky toffee pudding.
The dinner was followed by a lively auction. Auction items included an iconic photograph of Faye Dunaway the morning after she won her Best Actress Oscar for “Network” by famed photographer Terry O’Neill that sold for $120,000; two sets of tickets to join Sir Elton John and David Furnish at the legendary Vanity Fair party that sold for $150,000 each; five days at Steven Tyler’s Hawaiian retreat that sold for $250,000. Sir Elton John also auctioned off four private performances by himself that went for $250,000 each, totaling $1 million. Following the auction, soulful Scottish songstress Emeli Sandé took the stage to perform several songs including hit song “Next to Me,” much to the crowd’s delight.
In his remarks for the evening, EJAF Founder Sir Elton John celebrated the Oscar-nominated documentary How to Survive a Plague, praising the extraordinary work of the early AIDS activists portrayed in the film and calling for a renewed emphasis on AIDS advocacy.
“How to Survive a Plague tells the story of AIDS activism in the earliest and most terrifying years of the AIDS epidemic. But you know what? Today, that activism is needed now more than ever if we are to achieve the promise of an AIDS-free generation,” said Sir Elton. “Our Foundation is clear on what is needed, we’re vocal in standing for what we believe, and we invest in the work that needs to be done. And I promise you that we’ll keep on fighting until the politics and bureaucracies yield to reason and justice. I don’t care how long it takes, we’re going to fight, and we’re going to win.”
PHOTO GALLERY OF GUESTS
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ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION – Sir Elton John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $300 million in support of worthy projects across the globe. EJAF is one of the largest HIV/AIDS grant-making organizations in the world. Charity Navigator has awarded EJAF 4 out of 4 stars – its highest possible rating – seven years in a row. EJAF’s grant making embraces grassroots and community-based programs, regional partnerships, national strategies, and international collaborative efforts. The Foundation supports a diverse range of initiatives, including HIV prevention programs throughout the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.
CHOPARD – Passion for excellence: Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his own workshop in 1860 in Sonvillier, the Swiss Jura. Since 1963 Chopard is owned by the Scheufele family and its headquarters are located in Geneva. Internationally renowned for its watch and jewellery creations, the Group today employs 1950 people worldwide. It is independent and vertically very integrated, controlling the entire process from design to distribution through 1515 points of sale and 145 dedicated boutiques. Over 30 different crafts are practised in 4 manufacturing sites with a strong emphasis on in-house training. Chopard has built its reputation on iconic collections such as “Happy Diamonds”, “Happy Sport” and “Mille Miglia”. The firm is also highly recognized for its High Jewellery creations and fine watchmaking and manufacture expertise, expressed in the L.U.C collection. According to two of its fundamental values, respect and social responsibility, Chopard is strongly committed to various philanthropic organizations. Long-term partnerships tie the company to the WWF, the José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last but not least, Chopard is a faithful partner of the Cannes International Film Festival and legendary classic car events, such as the Mille Miglia in Italy and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. For more information, please visit: us.chopard.com
NEURO DRINKS – Founded by Diana Jenkins, Neuro manufactures and markets a line of functional beverages that incorporates the latest in nutrition science and neurocognitive research to enhance your life. Whether you need to optimize your brainpower or focus your willpower, there’s a neuro for that. The product line includes neuroSONIC, with a blend of caffeine and L-theanine to increase mental alertness so you can focus; neuroPASSION, with caffeine and L-citrulline to increase your drive to pursue what you love; neuroBLISS, with chamomile blended with L-theanine to reduce stress and keep you calm; neuroSUN, with your daily supply of vitamin D to improve your immunity; neuroTRIM, which includes a satisfying portion of fiber to control your appetite so you eat less; and neuroSLEEP, with melatonin and magnesium to improve your sleep so you can recharge. Each neuro has only 35 calories, contains no artificial flavors or colors, and has a fully recyclable bottle. Neuro is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit www.drinkneuro.com
WELLS FARGO – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2012 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr
AMERICAN AIRLINES – American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR). please visit: www.aa.com
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