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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 25 > Entry
Sir Elton hosts big bash, raises big bucks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks in part to the writers’ strike-related cancellation of the celebrity-sucking Vanity Fair magazine party, Sir Elton John’s 16th annual Oscar party was also its most successful.
The evening raised more than $5 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Even Atlanta EJAF board member Barron Segar — who’s attended every one of the Oscar night soirees with the singer — was stunned.
“We’re a million dollars over our projected goal,” Segar told us early Monday morning. “We’ve been worried about the recession and how the strike might affect Oscar night. But this is just amazing. Elton is incredibly happy tonight. I’ve never seen so many Oscars floating around.”
Among those celebrating: “La Vie en Rose” “Best Actress” winner Marion Cotillard working her fish scale-inspired gown at the party. Other celebrities spotted included: Stevie Wonder, Minnie Driver, Lionel Richie, Sean Penn, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia DeRossi, Simon Cowell, Al Roker, Larry King, T.R. Knight, Mary J. Blige, Billy Joel and Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears.
Inside a massive white tent at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, guests dined on a dinner of fillet of sole with lobster mousse, beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, risotto with saffron and salsa, a seasonal salad with pear, white celery and mustard vinaigrette, and a bitter chocolate mousse with raspberry ragout.
At last August’s Fashion Cares benefit, Intimacy undergarments founder Susan Nethero bid $23,000 for the opportunity to walk the red carpet at the bash with about two dozen fellow Atlantans.
The self-described “bra whisperer” businesswoman was demonstrating her wares as well, with a cleavage-enhancing push-up undergarment.
“This was worth every penny,” Nethero told us. “Plus, I managed to help someone out in the ladies room with her bustline too! I’m not going to say who. But it was fun to use what we do at Intimacy in Atlanta out here in Hollywood.”
While on the left coast, Nethero told us she’s looking for retail space in Los Angeles for a potential Intimacy expansion as well.
Buckhead resident Lynn Guyton attended the bash with her mother Sandy Smith.
“I’m on the moon right now,” Guyton gushed. She was seated at a table next to Blige’s. “I had to go up to Ellen to tell her that I TiVo her everyday.”
The evening’s live auction alone raised $2 million for the charity, thanks to a pricey Helmut Newton photograph and a surprise item, courtesy of Sir Elton’s old friend Sharon Stone. The actress donated a vintage 1974 Corvette Stingray.
The bidding soared to $1 million after the auctioneer told the crowd: “Sharon will take a ride in it with you.”
Elton and his band also performed a mini-concert for the first time at the fund-raiser Sunday night.
Wearing basic black with a gray tie, the singer cracked to cameras on the red carpet about what he was looking forward to: “Hopefully some great music because I’m performing.”
Traditionally, the singer has asked performers he admires to supply the tunes for the party. But feedback from EJAF donors encouraged the singer to perch behind the piano this year.
Lending vocal assist during the pop star’s set: Blige and Shears.
And as always, the charity’s namesake paid a visit to every table during the Oscar telecast. Unfortunately, nature was calling Guyton when John called on her table. Said Smith to Sir Elton: “My daughter is going to die if you don’t come back!”
True to his word, Sir Elton later returned to the table to greet a refreshed Guyton.
A STYLISH DELIVERY
Back in Atlanta, the Oscars arrived in a stretch limo at the Shepherd Center, courtesy of Southeastern Domino’s Pizza franchisee Mike Orcutt. Wanting to bring the Academy Awards experience to a group of folks who might have otherwise missed out, Orcutt and staff surprised about 200 patients at the spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital with a pizza party. With red carpet in tow, Domino’s delivered 40 large pizzas and 24 orders of Buffalo Chicken Kickers to the patients, who happily munched away while watching the telecast. In the pizza biz, Oscar night has begun to rank right up there with the Super Bowl in terms of business.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Fats Domino is 80. Singer Michael Bolton is 55. Singer Erykah Badu is 37. Singer Kyle Norman of Jagged Edge is 33. Singer Corinne Bailey Rae is 29.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Red carpet secrets? Spanx!”
ACTOR STEVE CARELL with wife Nancy Wall, giving a shout out to Atlanta businesswoman Sara Blakely’s company to “Good Morning America” reps on the Oscars red carpet Sunday.
Contributing: News services.
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