Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron has been honored at AIDS chairty amfAR’s seventh annual Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles.
Chelsea Handler, Heidi Klum, Jon Hamm, Cheyenne Jackson, Dita Von Teese, Kelsey Grammer and Jane Lynch were among those who gathered at the AIDS charity’s event.
The event also paid tribute to Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chairman of DreamWorks New Media. Both he and United Nations Messenger of Peace Theron were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the fight against the disease.
Theron said: “Despite our best intentions sometimes people are still falling through that cracks and too many are not being seen and it’s tough to admit but as much progress as we’ve made, sometimes it feels like we’re failing the ones who need us the most.”
She added: “We would never have had these conversations when I was a kid and now we have 16 year-olds seeking ownership of their sexuality and their health and there’s open conversation about sexual identity. It’s really amazing, really, I mean they’re going to save their own lives which is great.”
The event, presented by Harry Winston and MAC Viva Glam, raised over $2 million for amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research programs.
The evening began with a Disney-themed musical tribute to honoree Jeffrey Katzenberg. A 10-piece orchestra performed Aladdin’s “Friend Like Me,” and American Horror Story star Cheyenne Jackson and Glee’s Jane Lynch then took the stage to perform Aladdin’s “A Whole New World.”
The evening ended with an explosive performance by pop and R&B singer Jason Derulo, who performed a set of his biggest hits including “Whatcha Say,” “Wiggle,” “Talk Dirty,” and “Want To Want Me.”