The 6th Annual Inspiration Gala raised more that $1.5 million and honored Miley Cyrus and Andy cohen for their contributions to AIDS research.
Anderson Cooper hosted the black-tie benefit which many A-list celebrities attended including Mary J. Blige, Carol Alt, Ellen Barkin, Tyson Beckford, Lily Donaldson, Billy Eichner, Victoria Justice, Heidi Klum, Andreja Pejić, Anja Rubik, Joan Smalls, Alexander Wang, Alek Wek, and amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole. Sandra Bernhard presented the amfAR Award of Inspiration to friend, Andy Cohen. Cohen has supported amfAR for over 10 years and mentioned during his acceptance speech that “complacency is the enemy, and that is why we still need amfAR.”
amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure initiative raised over $50,000 throughout the night which Miley matched at the end of the event. As the spokesperson for M·A·C Cosmetics’ VIVA GLAM campaign, Cyrus has helped raise $25 million since January for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. Happie Hippie Presents #InstaPride campaign co-founder Tyler Ford presented the amfAR Award of Inspiration to Cyrus who said during her speech that “tonight is not a finish line, it is a starting point,” and plans to continue supporting the search for a cure. The evening ended with a performance by the legendary Mary J. Blige who performed hits like “Real Love,” “Just Fine,” and “Family Affair.”
FIJI Water, amfAR’s Official Water, kept guests hydrated from the red carpet to the runway!
-Nishat Baig
Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
