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Elton and Lionel duet in Cannes at AIDS gala
Friday, May 23 2003

Celebrities got up and boogied to an impromptu duet from Elton John and Lionel Richie during a star-studded AIDS fundraiser hosted by Elizabeth Taylor on May 22, 2003.

The 10th annual Cinema Against AIDS gala for the American Foundation for Aids Research (amfAR), raised more than $1.3 million by auctioning off anything from tennis lessons with Monica Seles to a vanity case designed by Sharon Stone.

"Don't be cheap tonight, please bid a lot," designer Donatella Versace begged the audience. "It's not just a free dinner, you're supposed to spend money while you're here."

Taylor, frail but resplendent in a pale green Gianfranco Ferre gown and Bulgari emeralds, delivered a heartfelt speech.

"We have made advances but we haven't won the war. We must not give up," the event's honorary chairman told the 500 guests gathered in the Michelin-starred Moulin de Mougins hilltop restaurant, a short drive away from the Cannes film festival.

"I'm sorry for getting so emotional. But I know so many people who have died from this," Taylor said, sniffing, before being helped off stage and leaving before the dinner ended.

Singers Lionel Richie and Elton John lifted the mood by getting up on stage and singing "Three Times a Lady," "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues." Their rendition of "Twist and Shout" and "Great Balls of Fire" had the black-tie audience going wild.

U.S. singer Macy Gray also got up and sang -- wearing huge black trainers under her black and silver evening gown.

As diners tucked into foie gras and truffles, Oscar-winner Adrien Brody threw his arms round Miramax head Harvey Weinstein and joked about his famous Oscar night kiss with actress Halle Berry.

"I don't only kiss black movie stars with Oscars (news - web sites)," Brody teased the Academy Award-winning producer.

Other stars who took the stage at the glittering event included British model Elizabeth Hurley, dressed in a shocking pink satin gown and seated next to her Indian millionaire beau Arun Nayar, and sassy society diva Ivana Trump.

Actors Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan , model Iman, director Steven Soderbergh and Indian screen star Aishwarya Rai also took part.

Since 1985, amfAR has raised around $207 million to fund its fight against AIDS, including $12 million raised in Cannes.

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Related News

  • Celebrities to attend AIDS benefit at Cannes
        Thursday, May 22 2003 at 05:39:59


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