Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, Kevin Spacey Spotted at amfAR Cannes Gala as James Franco and Adrien Brody Auction Their Art for Over $300,000
Brody, who has previously called painting his 'first love,' took the stage at the star-studded auction to present a mixed media piece he created of Marilyn Monroe — and demanded the chatty crowd's attention. Sporting a sparkly black suit, the actor shushed the crowd as he got on stage in a moment reminiscent of his now infamous five-minute Oscars speech. 'Please, for a moment, I know it's a big room,' he said.
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He then explained his inspiration behind the piece, saying that it represents 'what Marilyn's life did not afford her': 'To live a life fully and to cherish all the moments and the imperfections in life.'
Brody continued, 'Women are so often objectified in the media and on social media. They have to look beautiful and they are beautiful, but what is within them is what's most important in this world. And I want to honor that.'
After the piece sold for a whopping $425,000, Brody made a beeline for Leonardo DiCaprio's table to give him a bro hug. DiCaprio, shielding himself in a ball cap at the otherwise black-tie gala, was cuddled up to his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti for most of the night.
Brody and DiCaprio were just two of the stars at the glitzy event, which takes place during the Cannes Film Festival at the glamorous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, attracting some of the biggest names in entertainment and business. Among the guests were Jeff Bezos and his soon-to-be-wife Lauren Sánchez, Mariska Hargitay and her husband Peter Hermann, Heidi Klum, Colman Domingo, Helen Mirren, Michelle Rodriguez and more. (This Variety reporter was between 'Yellowstone' actor Ian Bohen and Jeffrey Wright's son Elijah, who stars alongside his father and Denzel Washington in Lee's Cannes-premiering 'Highest 2 Lowest.')
Kevin Spacey, who has been attempting a comeback at Cannes (a movie he's starring in was previewed to buyers at the film market and her received a lifetime achievement award from the Better World Fund), was seated toward the back of the room, away from the A-list stars. Spacey, who hosted the gala in 2016 before his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations, mostly kept to his entourage during the night, but was greeted by Adam Lambert, who later performed a medley of Queen songs.
James Franco was also in attendance, having donated a painting to the auction that he'd worked on across several decades. Franco, who has struggled to fully reenter Hollywood after facing his own sexual misconduct allegations, was closer to the front and welcomed on stage by auctioneer Simon du Pury — who called him an 'outstanding human being' — to introduce his painting (which sold for $368,000).
Along with Lambert, the five-hour dinner featured a performance from Ciara — who brought the energy with some of her biggest hits, including '1, 2 Step' and 'Level Up' — and was hosted by Taraji P. Henson, who took a serious tone to discuss the event's mission: finding a cure for AIDS.
'We all have a part to play in bringing this global epidemic to an end. Together, tonight, let's help amfAR find a cure for AIDS and get the job done,' Henson said, adding: 'We're here to support research that will save lives for generations to come.'
Other items up for auction included a stay for 16 people at the mega mansion featured in the 'Knives Out' film 'Glass Onion,' which was presented by Robin Thicke. The singer said several times that the house has 11 pools and even started calling out members of the audience to try and drive the price up. 'Adrien Brody wants it, I know!' Thicke said. 'He only has two pools.' It eventually sold for $368,000.
A James Bond-inspired fashion show, opened by Cara Delevinge, delighted the audience with outfits from every era of the franchise — including a surprise appearance from 'Tomorrow Never Dies' Bond girl Teri Hatcher, who looked fabulous in a black dress and diamonds. After the show, it was revealed that the entire collection was part of the auction — and Bezos and his soon-to-be-wife Lauren Sánchez, who were flanked by two bodyguards, snatched it up for $510,000.
One of the final lots up for grabs was a walk-on role in Lee's next film, which Henson joked she would also be starring in, as well as courtside seats to a Knicks game with the filmmaker. 'Who's going to star in the next Spike Lee joint with me? Leo? Colman Domingo?' she said, getting big laughs before it went to the highest bidder at $454,000.
Duran Duran then closed out the night with a performance of their biggest hits, including 'Notorious' and 'Girls on Film,' prompting the crowd — including Spacey — to get up and dance before heading to the afterparty.
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