What do you get when you mix Sylvester Stallone, Vegas glamour and F1 hype? A star-studded event raising millions for AIDS research. Last Friday amfAR — the Foundation for AIDS Research — hosted its first ever Las Vegas gala with auctions, performances and a walk-on role in Tulsa King. Here’s what you missed.
A big night for a good cause
The gala was held at the Wynn Las Vegas garden during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. It wasn’t just about fancy dresses and celeb selfies — although there were plenty of those. The real focus was raising money to fight AIDS through research, education and advocacy. And the numbers were big: over $3 million was raised that night, with an additional $11 million expected from a luxury car auction courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
The Stallones were the night’s honorees, receiving amfAR’s Award of Inspiration. Sylvester, of Rocky and Tulsa King fame, and Jennifer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, gave heartfelt speeches about giving back and being recognised for their work.
$300,000 for a Walk-On role? Yes.
One of the night’s highlights was when Tulsa King producer David Glasser surprised the crowd with an auction item: a walk-on role in the Paramount+ series. This wasn’t a cameo; this was a real part written into the show. The winner would get airfare, a hotel stay and an actual role. The bidding closed at $300,000! Ian Bohen, who stars in Yellowstone, even told the crowd that his own walk-on role turned into a seven-year job.
Other lots included:
- Sylvester Stallone’s painting, created after Creed 2, which sold for $410,000.
- A pink polar bear sculpture by Paola Pivi for $80,000.
- A Roberto Cavalli gown, a sheer, feathered masterpiece, for $105,000.
Big stars, bigger show
The night wasn’t just about the auctions. Legendary comedian Jay Leno, sporting an eye patch after a recent fall, had the crowd in stitches. Glee star Amber Riley wore a red velvet gown and performed two songs before the auction started. She summed it up perfectly:
“We’re raising money to get rid of AIDS and HIV. And I get to make people dance and sing while they’re giving their money.”
And then Diana Ross. She sang “Upside Down” and “I Will Survive”. She brought Riley back up and ended the night.
A new tradition in the making?
This wasn’t a one-time only gala for amfAR. According to CEO Kevin Robert Frost, it was a “test run” for what could become a new tradition in Vegas for the next 10 years. The idea came from fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee who introduced the Stallones during the evening.
Sylvester himself talked about the night’s impact saying “I hate to receive, but I love to give”. Jennifer in her speech talked about the strength of their 28 year marriage (a rarity in Hollywood) and how the event brought people together for a great cause.
Why it matters
Beyond the glitz, the gala reminded everyone of the ongoing fight against AIDS. Leno pointed out the statistic: every minute someone in the US dies from AIDS. Events like this are important for funding research and changing the conversation, as Sylvester said when he thanked Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor for breaking the ground decades ago.
