For more than 40 years, Sheryl Lee Ralph has been on the front lines raising funds and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
She continued that work Sunday night as a guest at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Awards viewing party.
“I’m here because, believe it or not, HIV and AIDS is not a dead issue in America right now,” Ralph, the producer of Xeveria Newman’s documentary anthology about black women living with HIV, “Unexpected,” told Variety on the red carpet. “It’s spreading. We’re still seeing an increase across the South, especially for women of color, and we need to pay attention to this. We’re also thinking about the fact that as we spread awareness, so many women don’t know that PrEP is for them. It’s not just for men. So as we continue to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, there are many reasons to come here to Elton John’s event.”
The annual viewing party, hosted by John and his husband David Furnish, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Bartka, and held at West Hollywood Park, generated $10.6 million in revenue for EJAF.
“The Academy Awards night reflects why we founded this foundation 34 years ago: to honor our lost friends and advocate for those who remain vulnerable,” John said in a statement after the ceremony. “We come together every year, and every year it’s artists like Laura Young who make this night unforgettable. In a moment full of great British talent, Laura stood out. She’s bold, smart and totally herself. Thank you, everyone in West Hollywood, for coming out and helping us continue to fight against AIDS.”
Grammy Award winner Laura Young performed a 10-song setlist from her album I’m Only F**king Myself, ranging from “SPIDERS” to “d£aler” and 2023 chart-topper “Messy.”
The star-studded guest list also included Dua Lipa, Kiki Palmer, Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldaña, Patricia Arquette, Adam Lambert, Matthew Lillard, Tiffany Haddish, Dylan Efron, Brandi Carlyle, David Geffen, Fran Drescher, Kate Beckinsale, Laverne Cox, and Donatella Versace.
Mistr, an organization working to provide free HIV prevention drug PrEP to thousands of patients, was a co-sponsor of the event.
“Our mission is simple and deeply aligned: it’s all about eradicating HIV,” said Tristan Shoecraft, CEO of Mistr. “And here in the United States, we introduced PrEP to everyone who is (HIV) negative. If we can get everyone who is positive to viral suppression, then we can truly eliminate HIV.”
Fran Drescher rushed to the party after attending part of the Academy Awards. “I sat and watched half of the Oscars because I was in Marty Supreme, but I didn’t want to miss the Elton John AIDS Foundation party,” she said. “I respect his philanthropy. I truly believe that even if you’re famous and have social influence, it’s wasted if you don’t use it. And he’s using it. I always feel like I have an obligation to be here and support him.”
“We’ve made a huge leap forward…but there are still people who haven’t been diagnosed. There are still people who need to be treated,” said “Matlock” star Jason Ritter. “It’s not going away. This is still a huge problem that we’re dealing with, and we still have work to do until everyone with HIV is treated.”
Ritter also mentioned co-star Kathy Bates, who famously appeared at the Rob Reiner Oscar memorial service and won a statuette for her performance in Reiner’s Misery.
“I wish she would bring an Oscar statue[to the set],” Ritter said. “Her inner Oscar, her Oscar aura, is there. She’s always really great.”
Items that helped raise significant funds at the event’s signature live auction included a number of additional auction lots, including an Elton John pinball machine, Chopard Haute Joya Lily chandelier earrings, Ripa’s custom Jean Paul Gaultier pink corset, dinner with John and husband David Furnish, and two invitations to a Vanity Fair party.
