Like a Candle in the Wind: Sir Elton’s Fabulous Oscar Party

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The Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party is always a fabulous affair but this year’s edition, the 22nd annual, was truly spectacular. It raised more than $5 million for AIDS research.

One particularly magic moment came about an hour after the viewing party ended, when Sir Elton took the stage with the night’s special performer, Ed Shearan, for a duet of Elton’s classic song, “Candle in the Wind.”

“Ed did a wonderful version of this song so we’re going to duet for the first time since the Grammys,” Elton said, referring to the 2013 Grammys, before they launched into the performance, which awed the capacity crowd. After an ovation, Sheeran continued a lengthy set that kept the audience on its feet for the duration.

The gala, which for the second year was set up in a tent at West Hollywood Park across from the Pacific Design Center was cosponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells Fargo.

One skilled Oscar prognosticator who got the most answers right on the Oscar ballot handed out to all the banquet guests was awarded a $30,000 Chopard watch– and given a big hug and a kiss by Elton himself.

It was an affair filled with stars from the worlds of music, screen and stage. Spotted on the white carpet and in the crowd were Alex Pettyfer, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer, Bernie Taupin, Britney Spears, Carmen Electra, Chace Crawford, Cheryl Burke, Cheyenne Jackson, Chris Colfer, Christina Hendricks, David Burtka & Neil Patrick Harris, Donatella Versace, Dwight Yoakam, Ellen Pompeo, Eric McCormack, Gordon Ramsay, Heidi Klum, Jane Fonda, Jane Seymour, Joe Jonas, John Waters, Johnny Weir, Jonathan Groff, Josh Groban, Karina Smirnoff, Karolina Kurkova, Kellan Lutz, Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Rowland, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Khloé Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, Lady Gaga, Lance Bass,  Mel B, Nikki Reed, Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne, Paz Vega, Paulina Rubio, Petra Nemcova, Quincy Jones, Robert De Niro & Grace Hightower, Sam Trammell, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Tara Lipinski, Taylor Swift, Tim & Jane Allen, Tommy & Dee Hilfiger, Tony Goldwyn, Vanessa Hudgens and Whoopi Goldberg,

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay prepared the exquisite five course meal that was served while chef Wayne Elias created the passed hors d’oeuvres and late-night comfort food served at the afterparty, which raged– as usual – late into the night. The bar was drank dry of Veuve Clicquot, but there was more than enough Patron to go around, and the coffee flavored version of the premier tequila was a major hit.

The auction is always a big part of the event and this year the sought-after items included tickets to the Broadway performance of “Hedwig and the Angry Itch,” with a backstage tour and drinks with the show’s star Neil Patrick Harris, a 1974 print of Elton John and John Lennon and signed by the photographer Bob Gruen, a portrait sitting with renowned photographer Catherine Opie, five days at Steven Tyler’s Hawaiian retreat and tickets to the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The piece de resistance: a piano signed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

New this year was an audience participation feature that enabled guests to make donations to the Foundation through their cell phones. Throughout the evening ,video messages from long-time EJAF supporters Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper, as well as live messages from EJAF friends Heidi Klum and Eric McCormack encouraged people to text in pledges in support of the Foundation’s urgent mission.

Even though it’s considered one of the year’s most fun and exclusive parties, the serious message of fundraising was underscored by Sir Elton.

“This is the kind of generosity that will help us change the course of this epidemic,” he said. “We begin to end AIDS when we get homeless teens off the streets and into shelters and job training and healthcare.  We begin to end AIDS when we offer addicts a clean needle and a helping hand into drug rehabilitation.  We begin to end AIDS when we help HIV-positive ex-prisoners find housing and jobs and a way to stay on their medications.  We begin to end AIDS when we make sure EVERY person living with HIV has a ride to the doctor and access to healthcare and treatment.”

–Hillary Atkin

 

 

 

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Author: Hillary Atkin

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