REPORT: ROSIE NIXON
F or the past 15 years, HELLO! creative brand ambassador Rosie Nixon has spent Oscars weekend in Los Angeles. This year, she was a guest at Sir Elton John’s viewing party and here, she gives her verdict on a dazzling evening...
Of all the special occasions in the showbiz calendar, the Oscars remain my all-time favourite – and spotting Dame Helen Mirren disembark the same British Airways flight to Los Angeles as me was a sure sign proceedings were going to be as starry as ever.
My trip to the entertainment capital has long been associated with attending the Elton John Aids Foundation Academy Award Viewing Party on behalf of HELLO! and I was delighted to attend the event’s 31st anniversary.
Since the party’s inception in 1992, it has supported the foundation’s efforts to raise millions for life-saving work to ensure vulnerable people around the globe can access HIV testing, treatment and care.
This year, I was joined by Vee Kativhu, HELLO!’s Game-Changer of the Year winner at our 2022 Inspiration Awards and our guest reporter for the night, who was on cloud nine after being honoured for her activism work at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in LA the same week.
GOWNS GALORE
There were models including Heidi Klum, who wore an eye-catching yellow gown, joking she resembled Sesame Street’s Big Bird, Imaan Hammam and Petra Nemcova, who asked us: “Can you guess what my dress made of? Pineapple leaves – and it’s absolutely divine.
“That’s the beauty now. There are so many sustainable fabrics, we don’t have to jeopardise our planet and people.”
When Sir Elton arrived, he said: “I’m delighted to have reunited with all of my friends tonight after such a long time apart. We mustn’t forget that HIV is still causing needless suffering around the world and we must protect those most vulnerable to this disease with testing and compassionate care.”
Sir Elton held court at the top table, next to designer Donatella Versace. Actress Emma Watson, make-up queen Charlotte Tilbury and TV personality Sharon Osbourne also attended.
When I chatted to Sir Elton’s husband David Furnish during the dinner, he told me he was putting on a brave face following the loss of their spaniel Marilyn a few days previously.
Their sons Zachary, 11, and Elijah, nine, were “so upset as well”, he added. “They’ve not known life without Marilyn in it. Having a bond with an animal is such a special thing. But we would never miss this event. It’s the big one for Elton and I.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
After a champagne reception, guests heade
