Bruce Springsteen Gathers Fans for a Memorable Night at the Academy Museum’s Fifth Gala, Raising $12 Million
Academy Museum Gala Raises Record $12 Million, Honors Stars of Film and Music
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ annual gala attracted a star-studded audience, including George Clooney, Kim Kardashian, and Viola Davis, as it celebrated prominent figures in the film and music industries. This year’s event honored Penélope Cruz, Bowen Yang, Walter Salles, and Bruce Springsteen.
In its fourth year, the gala has established itself as one of the most glamorous fundraising events in Hollywood, with proceeds directed towards the museum’s exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programming. Presented in partnership with Rolex, this year’s gala raised over $12 million, surpassing previous fundraising totals. Co-chairs for the evening included Jon M. Chu, Common, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Jennifer Hudson.
The evening commenced with an outdoor cocktail party featuring culinary delights from guest chef Nancy Silverton and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Guests enjoyed a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, including tuna cones and pizza, accompanied by a range of fine beverages such as Clarendelle Bordeaux Blanc and Rosé, Lallier R. 021 Champagne, and Dassai Blue 23 Junmai Daiginjo sake.
As attendees arrived, a fashion show unfolded, highlighting striking outfits worn by celebrities. Kim Kardashian turned heads in a face-covering nude masked ensemble by Margiela couture. Other attendees, including "White Lotus" co-stars Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan, opted for elegant Caroline Herrera gowns. Tessa Thompson sported a textured yellow Balenciaga piece, while Monica Barbaro captivated in a draped white Dior number.
A wide array of celebrities were in attendance, among them Adam Sandler, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Ayo Edebiri, Baz Luhrmann, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Longoria, and Sofia Vergara.
Once seated for the dinner, the evening’s proceedings began with Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey introducing the museum’s new director, Amy Homma, who then presented board chair Olivier de Givenchy.
Awards were a key feature of the night, with Wim Wenders presenting the Luminary Award to Walter Salles and Jon M. Chu honoring Bowen Yang with the Vantage Award. Later, Zoe Saldaña presented the Icon Award to Penélope Cruz, while Martin Scorsese presented the inaugural Legacy Award to Bruce Springsteen.
The event reached a spectacular conclusion as George Clooney introduced a live performance by Springsteen, who thrilled the audience with renditions of "Streets of Philadelphia," "Atlantic City," and "Land of Hope and Dreams." The evening not only celebrated cinematic and musical achievements but also underscored the museum’s commitment to fostering artistic expression.
