On Thursday, April 14th, the ASPCA hosted their Nineteenth Annual ASPCA Bergh Ball. This year marked the organization’s 150th Birthday. Many dog lovers came out to show their support, including Georgina Bloomberg, Patina Miller, Allie Rizzo, Arian Rockefeller, and Mark Ronson Christian Siriano. Martha Stewart also presented Drew Barrymore with this year’s ASPCA Compassion Award.
Check out some exclusive interviews from the event below.
Mark Ronson
What brings you out tonight?
Leslie, who put on the event, works for the ASPCA. She’s my old neighbor when I lived in Washington Heights. I also have a rescue dog. So she knew that I loved dogs and asked me and I said, “yeah.”
Do you have a dog?
Yes, a Maug. She was a rescue as well. She actually just passed away a month ago.
Who would be your spirit animal?
Definitely a dog.
What would your name be?
Maybe Paul because that was my dog’s name.
Mindy Fortin, ASPCA Board Member
What’s your role within the ASPCA?
I am lucky enough to do adoptions for the ASPCA, along with foster the abused and sick animals. Each one has its own unique story. They all need so much love and care.
What can dog lovers do to help ASPCA?
The best they can do is to rescue a dog from a shelter or bring supplies to a shelter.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Making the match between somebody and a pet forever.
Who would be your spirit animal?
Definitely a cat.
What would your name be?
Good question, it would be Ritz.
Patina Miller
What brought you out tonight?
This is actually my first ASPCA event. I’ve always been a fan of the ASPCA and the things that they do for animals. I am a big supporter of the organization and the work that they do is incredible.
Do you have a dog?
I have two dogs, Mellow and Maggie.
Who would be your spirit animal?
A tiger or a lioness.
What would your name be?
Jamelah, something exotic and queen like.
What was your experience like working on the Hunger Games?
My experience working on the Hunger Games was just wonderful. Being a part of a huge franchise like that, and to come in way later in the game, it was fantastic. Everyone, the crew, the cast was so amazing, they welcomed me with open arms. The fans are some of the best fans in the world and they welcomed me and the other new comers with open arms. They loved what we did. At the end of the day it’s about the fans and what they think about it. It was a wonderful experience.
Any fun behind the scenes stories that you would like to share?
There was so much. I will say that I met Jennifer on the second day of filming and we had been talking, chatting it up. I was meeting Woody for the first time and I had all my scenes with her. And she [Jennifer] says, “Woody meet Beatrix.” And I was like, that’s not my name. But she said it with such conviction, and I’ve always held that to her; it’s a funny thing to happen. So for me, being Beatrix on my second day was pretty fun.
Selenis Leyva
Do you have a dog?
Yes I have a dog and a cat. I have a Shit Seu Maltese who’s a rescue.
What brought you out tonight?
What’s not to support? It’s such a wonderful organization that over the years has done so much to support the fur babies of the world. As a dog owner, I am all for it. I did a campaign with the ASPCA with my dog recently for Valentines’ Day. We took snappy and sassy pictures and it was great. Whatever I can do to help out this wonderful organization, I will.
Who would be your spirit animal?
A cat,a feline, maybe a panther
What would your name be?
Night, because that’s my favorite time of the day. I am not a morning person, which can be troublesome.
Can you offer any spoilers for the upcoming season of Orange is the New Black?
Well I would probably have to take you to the back and get rid of you [laughs.] But all I can tell you is that the formula that has been working since season one, we’re going to continue in this season. We’re adding new characters, they always add interesting conflicts. This season there’s a lot of danger.
How does Gloria adapt?
Gloria can always hold her own. This will be a very interesting season for her. She’s a slow build this season. You will defiantly see more about her relationship with her children and how she is struggling to keep order in the prison. Also, there’s the conflict between her and Sophia, which we’ll see a bit more of.
“NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: Actress Drew Barrymore attends ASPCA 19th Annual Bergh Ball honoring Drew Barrymore, hosted by Nathan Lane wiith music by Mark Ronson at the Plaza Hotel on April 14, 2016 in New York City (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for ASPCA)”
