$2 Million Raised At amfAR Event Honoring Charlize Theron

On Thursday evening, an eclectic mix of stars and entertainment industry elite came together in Los Angeles to honor the work of one of Hollywood’s brightest and most beautiful — Charlize Theron.

At the seventh annual Inspiration Gala for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), the organization renowned for its A-list galas which raise millions annually for research, Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron was recognized for her work in the fight against AIDS.

This year’s event raised over $2 million in just one night.

Chelsea Handler, Heidi Klum, Jon Hamm, Cheyenne Jackson, Dita Von Teese, Jane Lynch, Lea Michele and Victoria Justice were all in attendance at the event hosted by celebrity jewel house Harry Winston and MAC cosmetics (whose VIVA Glam lipsticks are known for raising millions for AIDS research as well).

PHOTOS: Stars Support AmfAR At The 2016 Inspiration Gala

Chelsea Handler presented the amfAR Award of Inspiration to Charlize. The honoree was recognized at the gala for founding the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project in 2007 to help fight against HIV/AIDS by providing African youths the tools and skills to live healthy and productive lives.

Charlize, upon accepting her award, noted her personal connection to HIV/AIDS having grown up in South Africa and called for “big bold investments in science and medicine” and “bold investments in outreach” to help end the AIDs epidemic that still affects so many.

A Disney-themed performance was also part of the evening, which paid tribute to the contributions and efforts of Dreamworks New Media Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Hollywood names David Foster, David Furnish, Brad Goreski, Kelsey Grammer, Courtney Love, Angela Lindvall, Maureen McCormick, Jesse Metcalfe and Samantha Ronson were also on hand to pay tribute to the honorees and help raise $2 million during the evening.

Heidi Klum, also a longtime amfAR supporter, took the stage to introduce amfARChairman and famous shoe/clothing designer Kenneth Cole, who discussed amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure for AIDS goal to develop a scientific cure for AIDS by 2020.  

PHOTOS: Fashion From amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS Gala

The gala also featured a live auction, including the following items which were up for bid and won:

Model Angela Lindvall showed the crowd Harry Winston earrings featuring 124 diamonds which sold for $40,000.

An exotic getaway of a seven-night stay for six adults at an exclusive Maldives beachfront residence sold for $70,000.

A work by the famous street artist Bansky sold for $50,000.

Two people in the audience won the opportunity to explore the famous Rainbow Mountain in the Andes of Peru with explorer Johan Ernst Nilson for $60,000 each.

Closing the evening was a performance by Jason Derulo, famous for music hits including “Whatcha Say,” “Wiggle,” “Talk Dirty,” and “Want To Want Me.”

–Kim Martin