1 of 4 | Actress/singer Lady Gaga gathers on the red carpet with cast 'AHS' members during the premiere of the show in Los Angeles on Oct. 4. The singer took to the stage during a charity event in honor of celebrity Ryan Murphy, singing a 10-song set as well as praising Murphy for his support of her career and spirit. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Lady Gaga joined the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Angela Basset and others to honor television personality Ryan Murphy at the Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles Thursday night.
While also acting as the event's entertainment for the evening, Gaga pitched in as a big donor during the live auction headed by Sharon Stone. The American Horror Story: Hotel actress reportedly paid $200,000 for a photo of Elizabeth Taylor holding up her middle fingers to Shirley MacLaine.
Funds raised at the formal gala, also attended by the likes of Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Emma Stone, Kathy Bates, Matt Bomer, Jamie Lee Curtis and Zendaya, go toward the American Foundation for AIDS Research programs. The event was launched in 2010 to honor men's fashion while also attracting donations for HIV/AIDS research.
Actress Julia Roberts presented honoree Murphy with the night's award, praising The Normal Heart director for his "unapologetic" work and energy. "He is devoted to not only entertaining audiences but also educating them, bringing into our homes incredible diversity and complexity," Roberts said.
While accepting his award, Murphy spoke up about his experience within the HIV/AIDS crisis, saying the threat of the disease forced him to "ring every last drop out of today because you may not get another one."
"I have lost 10 friends from HIV/AIDS and honestly I consider myself standing here to be some kind of miracle in the world and I think many of us in this room feel the same way," Murphy continued. "I feel so lucky and grateful and blessed to be here and to have the right to marry -- which I did to my husband David Miller -- and...to have two young sons, Logan and Ford."
After a 10-song set including a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "Call Me Irresponsible," dedicated to Murphy, singer Lady Gaga expressed her feelings toward the director. "Since I have met Ryan I have rediscovered something in myself -- and it's my favorite part of me so thank you," she said. "You appreciate the part of me that my Christian guilt is mortified by."
Thursday night's event reportedly raised over $3 million for HIV/AIDS research.
