While most of us gushed over Oscar gowns and groaned at Billy Crystal’s jokes, Elton John and several celebs attended an Academy Awards viewing party to raise money for the fight against AIDS.
The star-studded West Hollywood bash raised an impressive $5.25 million to combat AIDS, which the renowned singer has worked to fight against and raise awareness of for decades.
“To watch the Oscars here and then have Elton do his charity thing (is great),” Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler told USA Today. “I bought this table and I sold those two seats over there for 30 grand, so (I do) whatever I can do to bring a little attention to such a disease like AIDS. Thirty-three million people on this planet have HIV or AIDS-related (issues). I just decided to get this table, and it makes my heart feel good.”
Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, Gwen Stefani, Kourtney Kardashian and Neil Patrick Harris were among the guests who noshed on a four-course meal and Godiva chocolates throughout the evening.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which works to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS through innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct treatment and care services for people living with HIV/AIDS.