Nancy Davis welcomed guests to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on Friday for the 19th annual Race to Erase MS gala, which this year got a playful, splashy look and feel thanks to its “Glam Rock to Erase MS" theme. All told, the buzzy, big-money fund-raiser took in $1.8 million to benefit the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and its Center Without Walls program. The hands-on Davis and foundation C.O.O. Liz Seares spearheaded the event.
The bash opened with a celebrity fashion show that included styles from the Andy Hilfiger Andrew Charles Rock ’N’ Roll Collection, in addition to a presentation of the debut collection Authentic Icon, inspired by American Idol. Models included the likes of Shannon Elizabeth, Taylor Hicks, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
The evening also included a live auction called by Shaun Robinson and Jason Kennedy, during which bidders walked away with items like a fashion week package from the Mandarin Oriental in New York, and a five-night stay for a winner plus seven at the Vomo Private Island Resort in Fiji, a shopping spree with the Hilton sisters, and others.
Race to Erase MS once again hosted a variety of musical performances throughout the evening. Indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums opened the show, followed by a set from American Idol winner David Cook. Vocal quartet the Tenors did a two-song set that included a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah," and last, Stevie Wonder sang a six-song set, including “Come Let Me Make Your Love Come Down,” “Higher Ground,” “Easy on Yourself,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “Superstition.”
In Race to Erase MS tradition, a rendition of “Lean On Me,” served as the finale of the evening, this year led by Wonder, who was joined by Davis, LaToya Jackson, Noelle Scaggs from Fitz and the Tantrums, Clay Walker, Cook, the Tenors, and an array of past Idol contestants.
On their way out, guests—including a big celebrity contingent like Khloe Kardashian-Odom and Lamar Odom, Jon Lovitz, and Jack Osbourne—scooped up the event's gift bag, with items like makeup from Laura Geller, certificates to the Bar Method of Los Angeles, nail polish from Essie, watches from Rumba Time, and gift certificates to Massage L.A.
EMD Serono, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Associated Television International, and American Airlines sponsored the night.
