Hosted by Queen Latifah
With Performances by Gladys Knight, Adam Lambert, Bebe Rexha, and Halsey
Antibes, France – May 26, 2023 – amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, today announced that over $17 million was raised for the foundation’s HIV/AIDS research programs last night at amfAR Gala Cannes, which took place at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated artist, actress, producer, label president, author, and entrepreneur Queen Latifah hosted the evening. The black-tie event included a dinner, a live auction of one-of-a kind luxury items and contemporary art, a fashion show, and spectacular performances by Gladys Knight, Adam Lambert, Bebe Rexha, and Halsey.
Guests who came out to support amfAR included Queen Latifah, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, James Marsden, Rebel Wilson, Tobey Maguire, Orlando Bloom, Heidi Klum, Kate Beckinsale, Halsey, Bebe Rexha, Gladys Knight, Adam Lambert, Troye Sivan, Fan Bingbing, Odell Beckham Jr., Ashley Graham, Winnie Harlow, Coco Rocha, Helena Christensen, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jeremy Scott, Carine Roitfeld, Jeffrey Wright, Storm Reid, Alex Pettyfer, Bianca Balti, Charli D’Amelio, Charlotte Tilbury, Chloe Stroll, Chris Olsen, Cindy Bruna, David Komakhidze, Débora Nascimento, Devin Brugman, Ed Westwick, Ellen von Unwerth, Elsa Hosk, Halima Aden, Helena Althof, Jacob Rott, Jeremy O. Harris, Jessica Wang, Kelly Gale, Kelly Piquet, Kyle Kuzma, Lais Ribeiro, LaQuan Smith, Leonie Hanne, Lori Harvey, Lucien Laviscount, Matthew Williams, Matteo Berrettini, Maye Musk, Melissa Satta, Meredith Duxbury, Meredith Mickelson, Petra Němcová, Raff Law, Ramona Agruma, Rose Bertram, Roz, Sadie Frost, Sara Pagliaroli, Sara Sampaio, Scotty James, Shay Mitchell, Sofia Resing, Tom Kaulitz, Youssra, amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy.
The queen of soul, Gladys Knight, opened the night with a spectacular performance of two of her classics, “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Host Queen Latifah welcomed guests and introduced amfAR Board Co-ChairsT. Ryan Greenawalt andKevin McClatchy, who took the stage to speak about the importance of amfAR’s lifesaving work. amfAR Cannes Event ChairsKate BeckinsaleandJeffrey Wright generously thanked the evening’s sponsors and introduced the event’s live auction.
Guests took their words to heart and bid generously and enthusiastically throughout the night in a highly successful auction, led by the inimitable Simon de Pury
A stunning feature of the evening was theIcons Collection fashion show, curated by longtime amfAR supporterCarine Roitfeld and introduced by Ashley Graham and Jeremy Scott.The collection featured one-of-a-kind looks from the world’s most celebrated fashion houses and was accessorized by Chopard. Participating designers includedTom Ford, Moschino, Versace, Paco Rabanne, Off-White, Dior, Balmain, Chanel, Prada, Givenchy, Armani, YSL, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, and more.The models in the fashion show included:Natasha Poly, Helena Christensen, Caroline Trentini, Bianca Balti, Anna Selezneva, Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabeli Fontana, Stella Maxwell, Cara Taylor, Cora Corré, Jessica Stam, Guinevere Van Seenus, Alek Wek, Jourdan Dunn, Amelia Gray, Yilan Hua and more.
In between bidding on auction lots, Adam Lambert kept the energy in the room high with performances of “Ordinary World,” as well as “Who Wants to Live Forever,” as a beautiful tribute to the late Tina Turner. The night then continued with an outstanding set by Bebe Rexha, who blew away the enthused crowd with her hits “In the Name of Love,” and “I’m Good (Blue).”
The energy did not stop there as Eva Longoria and James Marsden helped Simon de Pury sell the one-of-a-kind Launch Edition DB12 Aston Martin for an astounding 1.5 million euros. Another highlight of the auction was the beautiful Damien Hirst portrait of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, signed on the back by Damien Hirst and Leonardo DiCaprio, which sold for 1.2 million euros.
The evening then concluded with host Queen Latifah introducing Halsey, who ended the gala on a high note with four of her hit songs, “Graveyard,” “Bad at Love,” “You Should Be Sad,” and “Without Me.”
Presenting Sponsors were Aston Martin and Red Sea International Film Festival.
Signature sponsors included Chopard, which donated a unique pair of diamond earrings (modeled by Petra Němcová) to the live auction.
The official beauty partner of the fashion show was M·A·C COSMETICS. Terry Barber (Global Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, M·A·C Cosmetics) keyed the makeup for the fashion show.
RVLV (REVOLVE + FWRD), in association with The h.wood Group, was amfAR’s after party host. Generously supported by Gérard Bertrand, RUMOR Rosé, Clase Azul, Guillotine Vodka, CAP Gin, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.
About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $617 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams worldwide.
https://www.amfar.org/press-releases/17-million-raised-at-amfar-gala-cannes/
