Michael Kovac; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
For over three decades, each annual Academy Awards show brings with it the stellar fundraiser that is the Elton John Aids Foundation Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, now up to its 33rd iteration, and raising US$8·6 million to help bring an end to Aids.
On Sunday, March 2, Chappell Roan performed live at the West Hollywood Park event, including a duet with the legendary Sir Elton John.
Sir Elton and David Furnish hosted the affair, with presenting sponsors A&E Networks, Chopard, ELF Beauty, Gilead Sciences, Robert and Dana Kraft, and Bob and Tamar Monoukian. Co-sponsors were Judy and Leonard Lauder, American Airlines, Tequila Don Julio, Daou Vineyards, Moët Hennessy Private, Petrossian Caviar, and the city of West Hollywood. Chef Wayne Elias curated the food at the reception, and auctioneer Lydia Fenet encouraged guests to bid on items to raise funds.
Co-hosts were Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.
Celebrities attending included Abby Elliott, Alton Mason, Alyssa Milano, Andrew Watt, Anwar Hadid, Antonia Gentry, Ashlyn Harris, Atiana De La Hoya, Bobby Berk, Brandi Carlile, Brianne Howey, Caitlin Reilly, Camila Cabello, Camilla Luddington, Charlotte Lawrence, Chris Colfer, Chris Olsen, Chrishell Stause, Christian Siriano, Christina Hendricks, Dan Bucatinsky, Daniel Scheinert, Derek Hough, Diplo, Donatella Versace, Dylan Mulvaney, Elizabeth Hurley, Emily Browning, Faouzia, Fortune Feimster, Harry Jowsey, Harry Shum, Jr, Heather McMahan, Heidi Klum, Hozier, Jason George, Jackie Tohn, Jacob Lusk, Jake Wesley Rogers, Jane Seymour, JB Smoove, Jessica Gunning, Joe Locke, Jonathan Scott, Julia Fox, Katie Gavin, Kathy Hilton, Kevin Dias, Lana Condor, Lance Bass, Laufey, Lisa Ann Walter, Lucy Dacus, Luke Hemmings, MUNA, Madeline Brewer, Madison Bailey, Malin Akerman, Maria Bakalova, Matt Friend, Mayan Lopez, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael Urie, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Nic Kaufmann, Nicky Hilton, Nikki Glaser, NLE Choppa, Olivia Jade, Ozuna, Paris Jackson, Samantha Hanratty, Sonia Mena, Sophia Bush, Spencer House, Stephanie Hsu, the Linda Lindas, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Victoria Justice, Walton Goggins, William Stanford Davis, Whitney Cummings, Xochitl Gómez, and Zooey Deschanel. The Furnish-John children, Zachary and Elijah, also attended.
Auction items included a chance to dine with Sir Elton and David Furnish; a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona engraved with Sir Elton’s signature; a Herb Ritts art piece, Female Torso with Veil; a luxury LVMH champagne and whisky experience; and Chopard jewellery valued at US$250,000.
Roan performed ‘Hot to Go!’ and covered Sir Elton’s ‘Your Song’. The pair performed ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’.
Roan stated, ‘You have sacrificed so much for the queer community and made it so I can be the artist I can be.’
She crowned Sir Elton with a pink cowboy hat before they performed a duet of ‘Pink Pony Club’.
Sir Elton said, ‘I can’t believe this is the 33rd year of hosting our annual Academy Awards Viewing Party. Nothing means more to me than being surrounded by friends, family, and supporters, for a cause so close to my heart. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who continues to stand with us to end new cases of HIV and save lives around the world. Now, more than ever, we need allies by our side to come together and finish this fight to end Aids.’
Furnish, as foundation chair added, ‘What an unforgettable night! Chappell Roan lit up the stage, our amazing co-hosts Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Burtka kept the energy sky-high! We want to thank everyone who bought a ticket, bid in the auction, or made a donation—you made this night a true success. Because of your generosity, we were able to celebrate with purpose, helping communities around the world access life-saving HIV prevention, treatment, and mental health support.’
‘At a time when HIV resources are being cut, our work has never been more urgent,’ said Anne Aslett, the foundation’s CEO. ‘Thousands are being denied life-saving care, and decades of hard-fought progress are at risk. But tonight proved what’s possible when we unite—people coming together to fight for a future where lives are saved, stigma is shattered, and no one is left behind. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, we’re able to keep pushing forward when it matters most.’
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