Friday, May 21, 2010

“US$7 million raised for AIDS”

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“US$7 million raised for AIDS”

US$7 million raised for AIDS

Posted: 21 May 2010 06:13 AM PDT

CAP D'ANTIBES (France) - SUPERSTAR Jennifer Lopez tempted. Uber-designer Karl Lagerfeld exhorted. Comic Chris Tucker mouthed off, and heavyweight producer Harvey Weinstein cajoled - all in the name of charity.

As hosts at a swanky charity event held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, the A-listers' mission was to drive up the bids on about 10 luxury lots, including a gold-plated bottle of champagne and a monkey-shaped pendant in diamonds and gemstones.

And the celebrity coaxing worked: The Cinema Against AIDS benefit, held on Thursday at a luxury hotel in the French Riviera town of Cap d'Antibes, raised US$6.7 million (S$9.4 million) for AIDS research.

Guests at the star-studded event, where it seemed that nearly everyone was famous and those that weren't were at least thin, included actress Naomi Watts, socialite Paris Hilton, perma-tanned Italian designer Giorgio Armani, model Naomi Campbell and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger.

The evening's entertainment was provided by punk icon Patti Smith and R&B singer Mary J. Blige, who captivated the crowd with her acapella rendition of Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven.' Sharon Stone usually emcees the annual event, but her shooting schedule prevented her from attending this year's gala, so other celebrities took turns revving up the crowd. 'Gladiator' star Russell Crowe and designer-cum-movie director Tom Ford were among those who took to helped lead the auction.

Proceeds from the event go to the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), a nonprofit organization that supports HIV/AIDS research, and the emcees emphasized that the economic crisis has made their bids more crucial than even. Last year, the event brought in just $4.5 million - roughly half the money raised in 2008. -- AP
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