‘Tulsa King’ Walk-On Role Auctioned Off at amfAR’s Inaugural Las Vegas Gala

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As a lifelong gamer with a soft spot for charity events and a passion for pop culture, I must say that attending this amfAR gala in Las Vegas was nothing short of extraordinary! The glitz, the glamour, and most importantly, the good cause made it an unforgettable experience.

On a Friday evening, AmfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, held its inaugural gala in Las Vegas, aspiring that in a city synonymous with striking it rich, this charitable organization would successfully boost funds for AIDS research, HIV prevention, education on treatment, and advocacy.

The glamorous event took place over the Formula 1 race weekend at the Wynn Las Vegas’ garden, sponsored by Paramount Global, Roberto Cavalli, 101 Studios, the Wynn Las Vegas, Sazerac, and RM Sotheby’s. The evening saw AmfAR raising an impressive $3 million, with a further $11 million coming from RM Sotheby’s live auction of exclusive luxury vehicles. The special Award of Inspiration was presented to Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer on this night of recognition.

Despite suffering an injury over the weekend when he tumbled down a steep slope, resulting in an eyepatch and a sizeable bruise, Jay Leno continued to excel in his hosting role at the recent event. He moved about effortlessly, posed for selfies with attendees, and performed flawlessly throughout the gala.

Anyone who knows Leno knows he’s a major car collector, as he told the crowd, “It’s Grand Prix weekend and we’re auctioning off some amazing cars. I’ve had the privilege of driving all of these cars here tonight; the 1957 Mercedes SL300 Gullwing is the last one produced.” Reminding the audience of the significance of the night, the comedian also pointed out 40 minutes into the gala that every minute someone dies of AIDS in the U.S. “So, 40 people have died since we started this evening,” he said.

Amber Riley, known for her role in Glee, expressed her enthusiasm to The Hollywood Reporter about backing amfAR’s initiatives on the red carpet. She explained, “Events like this are rewarding because we’re not only raising funds, but also promoting awareness and research towards ending AIDS and HIV.” She added, “And what’s more, I get to entertain people as they donate their money.” Clad in a stylish red velvet dress, Riley captivated the audience before the auction with two soulful performances.

Kevin R. Frost, CEO of amfAR, shared the reason behind hosting their inaugural gala in Las Vegas, disclosing that the concept originated from Tommy Hilfiger.

He had visited the previous year for the Formula 1 race, and during his stay, he and David Glasser from 101 Studios, as I’ve been informed, expressed a shared opinion – they felt that Formula 1 could benefit from amfAR. Tomy then proposed, ‘We believe we can organize an excellent event in Las Vegas, what do you think?’ We agreed, since Tomy is confident about it, we were on board with the idea. This is essentially a trial run for us to gauge potential future opportunities. Typically, we don’t prefer one-time events; if we host an event in Las Vegas, our goal is to develop it over the next decade, creating annual events.

At the grand auction of the evening, Sotheby’s auctioneer Michael Macaulay kicked off the bidding with a pair of exquisite Merry Belle diamond, emerald, and white-gold earrings. These stunning accessories were showcased on stage by actress Jodie Turner-Smith. With an initial bid set at $5,000, there was much laughter and camaraderie between Macaulay and the audience as they encouraged bidding. Eventually, their efforts paid off, as a lucky buyer agreed to pay $65,000 for these coveted earrings.

Later in the event, drag artist Trixie Mattel graced the stage to aid in the sale of Paola Pivi’s pink polar bear sculpture, fetching a price of $80,000. Moreover, Roberto Cavalli’s creative director, Fausto Puglisi, designed and auctioned off an exquisite gown. This dress, a true embodiment of Cavalli’s aesthetic, was adored by many and eventually sold for $105,000. Speaking about the piece, Puglisi shared with THR, “This dress is a quintessential beauty from Cavalli. It’s light, seductive, featuring a 3D sheer effect with a tiger design and a hint of pink. I aimed to give it a light, Hollywood-inspired essence, and the addition of feathers adds a dramatic, feminine touch. It’s one of my favorite dresses because when you wear it, you feel effortlessly chic.

Then one of the most intriguing auction items was introduced on a whim by Glasser. Bringing to the stage with him Turner-Smith, Jeffrey Wright, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Michael Fassbender and Ian Bohen, Glasser introduced a walk-on role for Paramount+’s Tulsa King, starring honoree Stallone. Glasser, who executive produces the series, offered to write the winning bidder an on-screen part into the role; season two of the series premiered this fall, and a third season now seems to be on the way.

Perhaps we’ll arrange for them to stay at a hotel and cover their travel expenses, thanks to Paramount Studios.” This announcement captivated the audience. “Things are getting quite generous up here,” commented Turner-Smith, “and I’m all for it!” added Bohen, “My role in Yellowstone began as a minor part and continued for seven years, so you’re participating in something truly extraordinary.” The auction ended with the winning bid at $300,000. A painting by Stallone, created following the production of Creed 2, also fetched $410,000 at the sale.

Later on, Tommy and Dee Hilfiger presented Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Stallone on stage. In an interview with THR prior to the event, Sylvester Stallone expressed his gratitude, stating, “Tonight is truly humbling for me. I feel incredibly blessed. I’ve received more than I ever thought possible, so being able to give back makes me feel a bit more content. With my painting, I don’t anticipate anything. I’m consistently amazed, and it’s quite surprising. Once you have everything, you should share it. I dislike receiving gifts, but I love giving them.

Dee Hilfiger commended Jennifer Stallone for her resilience within her family and highlighted her long-lasting 28-year marriage to Sylvester, describing it as equivalent to a century in Hollywood’s fast-paced environment. The two pairs share a close friendship, having resided as neighbors in West Palm Beach for some time.

In her speech, Jennifer expressed her surprise at receiving such a prestigious honor. Dressed in a radiant green dress, she told the audience, “it’s a privilege to be here in Las Vegas, a city known for uniting people to celebrate spectacularly. This underscores the strength of our cause and the commitment of each person in this room.” Later on, Sylvester honored Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor for their efforts in raising awareness about AIDS. “Diana had the courage to visit hospitals and reshape public opinion about the disease worldwide,” he concluded.

As the night drew to a close, it was none other than iconic singer Diana Ross who took center stage, belting out popular tunes like “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Upside Down,” and “I Will Survive.” Towards the end of the latter track, she passed the microphone to Riley so they could sing together.

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2024-11-24 03:25