The sixth annual amfAR Inspiration Gala honored Ryan Murphy in Los Angeles’ Milk Studio on Oct. 30.
Gwyneth Paltrow hosted the event held by amfAR to raise money for developing a scientific cure to AIDS by 2020. The event, presented by Harry Winston and M•A•C Viva Glam, was able to raise $3.1 million for amfAR’s research projects.Celebrities including Zendaya, Kathy Bates, Matt Bomer and Simon Halls, Darren Criss, Jamie Lee Curtis, Charles Gibb, Lea Michelle, Stevie Nicks and Mark Ruffalo and others were in attendance.
The event kicked off with American Horror Story actresses Cheyenne Jackson and Angela Basset launching the organization’s social media campaign. They urged everyone to upload their cover of the song “That’s What Friends are For” and use #SingforAIDS to raise awareness of the journey towards a cure.
Julia Roberts presented the amfAR Inspiration Award to Ryan Murphy after saying he was “a person very much like this organization – tireless in pursuit of learning, healing, of correctness, connection, and equality.” Murphy said he is dedicated to being a lifelong ambassador of the organization and urged that we must keep working towards finding a cure.
The event then transitioned into an auction with a Thomas White photograph selling twice to Lady Gaga and Aileen Getty for $400,000. Murphy’s show American Horror Story got involved again when they auctioned off a walk-on role for the fifth season of the show. Gaga agreed to take a photograph with the winner and bided on the item herself ultimately raising the selling price to $150,000. Actress and Model Jamie King introduced Harry Winston earring while Cuba Gooding Jr. encouraged the crowd saying, “Show me the money!”
Jamie King and Cuba Gooding Jr. presenting at the amfAR Inspiration Gala at Milk Studios. Image courtesy of Kevin Tachman.
Lady Gaga closed the evening with a performance including her ballad “‘Till it Happens to You.” The after party was hosted by DSQAURED2 and 1 OAk until the early morning.