Leonardo DiCaprio brought his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken, as his date to the amfAR Cannes gala, a prestigious charity auction held at the end of the Cannes Film Festival. The event took place in the South of France, where DiCaprio made a rare appearance after being absent from the glitzy affair for several years. DiCaprio, known as one of the biggest movie stars in the world, arrived discreetly through the back entrance, avoiding the crowded red carpet filled with European influencers and socialites. Seated at Table 15 near the stage at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, DiCaprio attempted to maintain a low profile by wearing a baseball cap with his black-tie attire. He observed with amusement as celebrities vied for substantial sums of money from oligarchs and enigmatic tycoons in exchange for extravagant artworks, vacations, and even a car.
DiCaprio's friend, Tobey Maguire, stood restlessly in a black suit, sporting a gold chain and sneakers with brown soles. It seemed he couldn't find a seat.
Returning to Table 15, DiCaprio spent the evening whispering to his mom and showing appreciation for the musical performances, including the headline act, Halsey. However, he mysteriously disappeared during a significant moment of the dinner, evidently attempting to avoid any attention.
Around midnight, the charity event, which aimed to raise funds for AIDS research, unveiled a unique portrait of DiCaprio. Two individuals delicately rolled out the large canvas on stage, treating it with the utmost care, as if it were the Mona Lisa. Contrary to any assumptions, it was a genuinely valuable piece of art. The auctioneer explained that Damien Hirst had been commissioned to paint the iconic "Titanic" star. Subsequently, the painting was sold to a private collector who generously donated it back to amfAR, providing someone else with the opportunity to hang DiCaprio's portrait in their living room. As the bids escalated, DiCaprio's mother excitedly stood up, capturing the captivating scene on her phone. She displayed sheer delight when the final bid was announced—sold for an astonishing $1.3 million.
Over the years, the amfAR Cannes gala, once known for attracting star power from the glamorous film festival in the South of France, has faced challenges in securing A-list celebrities due to a series of scandals. The organization struggled after revelations that its chairman, Kenneth Cole, resigned in 2018 following investigations that exposed how Harvey Weinstein had utilized the nonprofit for questionable purposes. In her memoir, "The Beauty of Living Twice," Sharon Stone expressed her disappointment and raised questions about the allocation of funds she had raised for amfAR Cannes.
However, any lingering doubts were momentarily forgotten as bottles of champagne were uncorked, filling the air with celebration. Queen Latifah took on the role of emcee for the 29th annual gathering, delivering scripted remarks with a call to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic through collective efforts. Famed charity auctioneer Simon de Pury then took the stage, attempting to captivate the attention of the guests amid their conversations, as they wondered why dinner was being served so late. Alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, other notable talents in attendance ranged from Alex Pettyfer to Heidi Klum. Despite this, one disgruntled guest voiced their discontent, remarking, "No one good is here!"
Eva Longoria and James Marsden took the stage as presenters and successfully energized the bidding atmosphere, particularly for a brand-new Aston Martin sports car, which sold for an impressive $1.6 million. Other notable items that fetched substantial prices included a pair of white-gold earrings from Chopard ($300,000), a collection of 18 exquisite gowns from renowned fashion designers like Versace, Prada, Chanel, Balmain, Dior, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton, presented in a captivating runway show (a mere $650,000 for an entire new closet), and a stunning stainless steel glass sculpture by artist Anthony James, prominently featured in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" ($270,000).
The evening kicked off with a powerful performance by Gladys Knight, who mesmerized the audience with her rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia," accompanied by a trio of talented backup singers (and yes, she flawlessly hit all the high notes). Adam Lambert, dressed in a sparkling black tuxedo, dedicated Queen's iconic song "Who Wants to Live Forever" to the memory of Tina Turner. Bebe Rexha took the stage in a shimmering blue pantsuit, captivating the crowd with her energetic performance of her hit song "I'm Good (Blue)." The night concluded with Halsey, who electrified the audience with a four-song set list, including her signature hit "Without Me."
Following the conclusion of the event, attendees hurried down a hill to the hotel's restaurant for the after-party. However, a lack of food caused guests to attempt to access the kitchen, prompting a manager to intervene and inform them that the French fries were reserved solely for room service orders.
Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire held court in the VIP area near the pool. Around 1:30 a.m., DiCaprio departed with a group of ten people, including his mother. As they made their exit, he affectionately patted her shoulder, earning him the esteemed title of "best movie star son" at Cannes.
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