Last night pop culture came out for a cause. The amfAR Inspiration Gala glittered with celebrities and patrons who have lent their voice, dollars and support for the fight against HIV/AIDS and to end the epidemic by 2020. Last night’s honorees included the king of reality, Andy Cohen and our summer cover star, Miley Cyrus. Hosted by Anderson Cooper, and produced by Josh Wood Productions, this year's gala to benefit the Foundation’s AIDS research programs was a zeitgeist yearbook of fashion and activism drawing Laverne Cox, Ellen Barkin, Tyson Beckford, Kelly Bensimon, Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa, Joan Smalls, Lily Donaldson, and a performance by Mary J. Blige.
Cyrus, dressed in a rhinestone heart ball gown designed by Jeremy Scott and fit for any Disney princess took to the stage in what could be seen as the third iteration of the Miley Cyrus we know and love, the activist and the voice of a young, at-risk LGBT Youth. Cyrus had Tyler Ford, a trans identifying activist, introduce her and her Happy Hippie Foundation initiatives. Cyrus declared her commitment to fight for an end to HIV/AIDS through her work with M.A.C Viva Glam, as well as give visibility for the Happy Hippie Foundation that creates programs and awareness for homeless youth, focusing on the vulnerable LGBT community. Miley broke down in tears as she thanked Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, both in attendance, and hoped that this “made them proud and helped to make up for the crazy stuff.” Cyrus even lent her artistic vision to the night’s auction. Three embellished versions of the Caitlyn Jenner Vanity Fair covers, reimagined by Cyrus, and signed by Jenner (which you can see here), went up for auction. When the bidding was not high enough to Miley’s liking, she took to the microphone and demanded a $69,000 price tag (which included cleaning the winner's house naked and a selfie with her that she would send to her 22 million followers, or nearly the population of Australia as they auctioneer pointed out). In coordination with this award and the Happy Hippie Foundation, Cyrus has also launched #InstaPride where she is bringing attention and awareness for the trans and queer community through a series of profiles being featured by HHF online during Pride month.
This year amfAR will commit $100 million dollars to advanced research to help end this epidemic. It seems that after last night, they might just have a few more soldier to join the fight.
To donate to amfAR go here. To donate to Happy Hippie Foundation
Cyrus, dressed in a rhinestone heart ball gown designed by Jeremy Scott and fit for any Disney princess took to the stage in what could be seen as the third iteration of the Miley Cyrus we know and love, the activist and the voice of a young, at-risk LGBT Youth. Cyrus had Tyler Ford, a trans identifying activist, introduce her and her Happy Hippie Foundation initiatives. Cyrus declared her commitment to fight for an end to HIV/AIDS through her work with M.A.C Viva Glam, as well as give visibility for the Happy Hippie Foundation that creates programs and awareness for homeless youth, focusing on the vulnerable LGBT community. Miley broke down in tears as she thanked Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, both in attendance, and hoped that this “made them proud and helped to make up for the crazy stuff.” Cyrus even lent her artistic vision to the night’s auction. Three embellished versions of the Caitlyn Jenner Vanity Fair covers, reimagined by Cyrus, and signed by Jenner (which you can see here), went up for auction. When the bidding was not high enough to Miley’s liking, she took to the microphone and demanded a $69,000 price tag (which included cleaning the winner's house naked and a selfie with her that she would send to her 22 million followers, or nearly the population of Australia as they auctioneer pointed out). In coordination with this award and the Happy Hippie Foundation, Cyrus has also launched #InstaPride where she is bringing attention and awareness for the trans and queer community through a series of profiles being featured by HHF online during Pride month.
This year amfAR will commit $100 million dollars to advanced research to help end this epidemic. It seems that after last night, they might just have a few more soldier to join the fight.
To donate to amfAR go here. To donate to Happy Hippie Foundation
Miley Cyrus and Tyler Ford
Billy Rae Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Tish Cyrus
Wayne Coyne, Katy Weaver, Miley Cyrus and Tyler Ford
Abbey Lee Kershaw, Alexander Wang
