Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing Party Brought Out Lady Gaga, Donatella Versace, and Heidi Klum

If anyone could host a masterclass on how to make an IRL comeback after years of virtual gatherings it’s certainly Elton John for his Oscars Viewing Party. The annual event, hosted this year by Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Eric McCormack, and David Furnis to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, commenced at its home in West Hollywood Park. The festivities effectively shut down surrounding streets, generated a buzzing crowd of onlookers, and lured a slew of Hollywood and fashion’s who’s who.

Under an indoor-outdoor tent of sorts, guests such as Caitlin Jenner hovered near the Belvedere bar (the fan-favorite drink of the night, a splash of vodka, red grapefruit, cinnamon, lime juice, simple syrup, and a dash of bitters), Donatella Versace commanded the carpet in a high-shine latex number, and Sofia Richie trucked around, fingers interlocked, with boyfriend Elliot Grainge before the start of the Academy Awards summoned attendees to their seats. Even better than the start of the Oscars was an early visit from Lady Gaga. Wearing a ball gown so voluminous, guests caught a gust of wind as she waltzed to the stage, the co-host dropped in for a speech alongside David Furnish before heading to the Dolby Theatre to act as a presenter.

Over dinner of filet mignon and sea bass from Chef Wayne Elias and Crumble Catering, the Will Smith-Chris Rock debacle sparked enthusiastic chatter: “Was it staged?” “Couldn’t be.” “Maybe?“ “Intense.” Every so often, supporters such as Christina Hendricks would drop by the podium to encourage donations—$250,000 here, $10,000 there, all leading to a total of $8.6 million raised for the night. Partygoers, including Ashley Benson, Demi Lovato, Lucy Hale, Zooey Deschanel, Fran Drescher, Dylan Sprouse, Saweetie, and Miguel, missed Elton John, who was absent at his own party for the first time due to a tour rescheduling. However, he made an appearance via live stream, for a surprise performance of classics “Your Song” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” During his set, nearly the entire room donned Elton John Eyewear sunglasses which were gifted at the dinner tables.

There was no better way to kick off the after-party than with a full performance from Brandi Carlile and surprise guest Jake Wesley Rogers. Around the room, Raven-Symoné laid low in the back with wife Miranda Maday, Heidi Klum rushed out to convert her hair from a curly updo to a bone-straight mane before her next stop, Billy Porter kicked back in a pink lounge chair, cigarette in hand, his floor-length blazer-dress hybrid unbuttoned, and everyone grabbed more vodka.