{"id":491,"date":"2026-05-22T13:16:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T13:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=491"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:16:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T13:16:57","slug":"inside-amfars-cannes-gala-as-rami-malek-eva-longoria-summer-house-star-ciara-miller-and-lizzo-help-raise-20-million-for-aids-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=491","title":{"rendered":"Inside amfAR\u2019s Cannes Gala as Rami Malek, Eva Longoria, \u2018Summer House\u2019 Star Ciara Miller and Lizzo Help Raise $20 Million for AIDS Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cBonsoir!\u201d said Lizzo, waving at my cell phone camera as she climbed out of a black car outside the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, around 7 p.m. on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Read more Sofa to Launch 16 Linear TV Channels on YouTube in Brazil, Latin America, the U.S. and Portugal (EXCLUSIVE)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Grammy winner was to be one of a trio of performers (Robbie Williams and Zara Larsson were the others) at amfAR\u2019s annual gala during the Cannes Film Festival, so she quickly made her way down the lavender carpet, which was packed with journalists and photographers. Waiting at the end of the press line was \u201cSummer House\u201d star Ciara Miller, who worked as special guest correspondent for amfAR. Miller was arguably the most-Googled celeb at the black-tie gala, save for Oscar winner Rami Malek \u2014 whose latest film, \u201cThe Man I Love,\u201d debuted to rave reviews at Cannes the night before. Aside from the sheer star power, Malek\u2019s attendance at the glamorous event with the film\u2019s director, Ira Sachs, was apt as amfAR raises funds for research to end HIV and AIDS, while \u201cThe Man I Love\u201d centers on a theater performer navigating life and love following his AIDS diagnosis in 1980s New York.<\/p>\n

Inside the cocktail reception, stars like Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, Coco Rocha, Robin Thicke, Lisa Rinna, Maura Higgins and Brooks Nader mixed and mingled while sipping drinks by Champagne Telmont, Gerard Bertrand Wines and Rumor Ros\u00e9, with the crystal blue sea as a stunning backdrop.<\/p>\n

The host for the evening was Oscar winner Geena Davis, who was already omnipresent at this year\u2019s Cannes. She starred on the official poster for the 79th<\/sup> edition with her \u201cThelma and Louise\u201d co-star Susan Sarandon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us have a very important mission in mind to support amfAR\u2019s lifesaving research,\u201d Davis said onstage. \u201cMy first time in Cannes was in 1991, and at that time, there was very little we could do to help our friends and family besides giving them support and giving them love. But now, more than 30 years later, it is a very different story. Extraordinary treatments and procedures and options help many millions of people live long and healthy lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford \u2014 the first HIV-positive person to lead the organization \u2014 later announced that their mission is expanding into research for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are leveraging everything HIV research has taught us to accelerate breakthroughs across human health,\u201d Clifford said. \u201cThat is what amfAR provides, not just funding \u2014 hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part of that funding comes from the live auction, which takes up most of the hours-long event\u2019s runtime. The centerpiece of the ceremony is a fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld. Longoria helped auction the 19 runway looks for \u20ac210,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmily in Paris\u201d star William Abadie introduced a walk-on role for Season 6 of the Netflix comedy. As the bidding heated up to \u20ac375,000, Abadie appeared to take a phone call from series creator Darren Starr, which confirmed that not one, but two people could appear on the show. (One might remember that, in 2024, amfAR auctioned off a role before Netflix officially renewed the show for Season 5. This time around, the streamer had already given the green light to the sixth and final season, so any awkwardness was avoided.)<\/p>\n

Other top-ticket items at the auction included diamond earrings from Chopard (which went for \u20ac600K to billionaire businessman Len Blavatnik), a custom car from Denza and Chopard (\u20ac700K), a one-of-a-kind George Condo x Audemars Piguet watch (\u20ac1.45 million), and Andy Warhol\u2019s Marilyn prints (\u20ac2.8 million). In all, amfAR raised \u20ac17.2 million or $20 million, which should cover the cost of legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury\u2019s gavel, which he broke dramatically \u2014 and accidentally \u2014 at the end of the auction.<\/p>\n

Read more Dario Argento Unveils Thriller Trilogy in Cannes While Honored at the March\u00e9 Du Film\u2019s Fantastic Pavilion<\/a><\/p>\n

Lizzo was the first performer of the night, hyping up with the well-heeled crowd with her hit \u201cAbout Damn Time.\u201d Robbie Williams took the stage at the midway point, with models rocking out to \u201cLet Me Entertain You\u201d and swaying while he crooned \u201cAngels.\u201d To end the show, Zara Larsson performed her sunny pop anthem \u201cLush Life,\u201d which was the perfect kickoff for the afterparty, which began just before 1 a.m. Guests, like \u201cEntourage\u201d and the original \u201cDevil Wears Prada\u201d star Adrien Grenier, made their way across the lawn to the Eden Roc to devour pizza slices and groove to a DJ set by Honey Dijon until the wee hours of the morning.<\/p>\n

Scroll for a look inside the event.<\/p>\n

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