It was a regal red carpet extravaganza as Hollywood kings and queens turned out for one of the most fab fundraisers of the year-the annual Race to Erase MS Gala. The theme of this year’s banging bash was Rock and Royalty. Prime time princess Nicollette Sheridan dazzled the crowd in a flowy chiffon tangerine and lime confection while Rachel Hunter showed her rock and roll roots with a glitzy bustier paired with distressed denim. There was no wardrobe malfunction for Tara Reid, who played it safe in a snazzy red satin suit.
Host Nancy Davis got into the spirit, sporting a sparkling tiara while son Jason was downright dapper in his velvet smoking jacket complete with a string of Michael Jackson-worthy metals. “Cool, huh?” he said. “Don’t really know where they came from. Mom got them for me.”
Music king David Foster was busy swapping reality TV notes with fellow Malibuite and real life royal Catherine Oxenberg. Dave told The Malibu Times that all things considered, the small screen gig wasn’t too tough.
“The boys really set it up,” he said of the show featuring the whole Foster family. “I had to do a little bit of acting, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”
In keeping with the royal theme, there were even Chuck and Millie look-a-likes; the groom sporting a snappy morning suit and the bride dolled up in a lacy two-piece suit, white gloves, oversized saucer hat and sensible dress shoes. “We just flew in from Scotland,” she beamed, not breaking character.
“Quite right,” Chuck agreed. “Jolly glad it’s over.”
Tom Arnold was busy holding court in front of the 2005 Ferrari F430, which was up for grabs. “You’re going to bid, aren’t you?” he inquired. “She’s a beaut.”
Inside, the ballroom of the Century Plaza Hotel was fit for a queen, awash in royal blue and glittering gold. The tables were dressed up with blush roses, orchids and hydrangeas. Soon, it was show time. To the blasting beat of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” the Tommy Hilfiger fashion show was underway. Celebrity models paraded down the catwalk wearing everything from sequined boleros to cowboy boots to kilts. Nicole Richie looked right at home in her flashy, fringe-y 1920s flapper number while Randy Jackson modeled a slick suit.
As we tucked into dinner-Beef Wellington-Erase regulars Tom Arnold, Tony Danza and Bill Maher helped raise more than $800,000 with high-ticket live auction items.
Next, Jason and Brandon took the stage with words of praise for mom, who has raised millions for MS.
The evening wrapped up with performances by Earth, Wind and Fire and the unforgettable Natalie Cole.
In keeping with tradition, the evening ended with sing-a-long to “Lean on Me,” but not before Nancy had a chance to thank her loyal royal fans. “You have joined a cause to end human suffering,” she said. “And for that, you rock.”