February 29th, 2012 
My friend Cheryl Romero and I were notified this past Friday that we had won the bid for Tickets to Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Viewing Party through Emma.com with our campy YouTube video featuring Elton John’s Crocodile Rock tune which we shot at Madame Tussaud’s in DC. This was the 20th year for the event which was held on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at a new venue in West Hollywood Park on San Vicente, West Hollywood, CA. Presenting Sponsors for the evening were Chopard, Neuro, American Airlines and Wells-Fargo. Throughout the years, EJAF’s Oscar-night party has played host to legendary actors and celebrity personalities. Some of the celebrities my friend and I saw included Katy Perry, Kelly Osborne, Steven Tyler, Adam Lambert, Heidi Klum, Dita Von Tesse, Russell Simmons, Gwen Stefani, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, Neil Patrick Harris with partner David Burtka, Lance Bass, Dave Grohl, Mira Sovino, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Camille Grammer, Al Roker, Adrienne Maloof and Dr. Paul Nassif, Kyle MacDougal, and Jesse Tyler.
Cheryl Romero, Microstrategy's CEO Michael Saylor and me on the white carpet.
900 people attended the event which served to raise $5.2 million for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and efforts to fighting the stigma associated with the disease. After viewing the Oscars on flat screens scattered above the dinner tables, Elton John spoke about the fight against HIV/AIDS. This was followed by a live auction which included an autographed photo of Elton John, Chopard watch, an hour tennis lesson with Rafael Nadal which went for $190,000 to two different people who were bidding on the item. There was also tickets and private dinner with Elton John and his partner David Furnish, and dinner prepared by Iron Chef Cat Cora who created the menu for the Oscar Viewing Party. Remarkably, someone bid $250,000 for two tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party later that evening. Sir Elton John mentioned in his interview with Al Roker that 96% of the funds raised go to the mission which is amazing. Over the past 20 years, the foundation’s advocacy efforts have raised more than $225 million for HIV/AIDS projects in 55 countries.
After the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, we attended an after party in the Hollywood hills with an incredible view of Los Angeles. The event was sponsored by Alert, another of Microstrategy‘s new applications. My friend Cheryl and I had an experience of a lifetime thanks to Emma.com and couldn’t be more grateful. I think I enjoyed the creative process of creating the fun YouTube video almost as much as I enjoyed my first trip to Los Angeles.
Thank you, Emma.com!
- Miss A
Our Oscar (Trip) Winning YouTube Video:
With Steven Tyler who auctioned off two tickets for his table for $30,000 to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation.
With Adam Lambert and his partner Sauli Koskinen
With Adrienne Maloof and Dr. Paul Nassif
Sir Elton John being interviewed by Al Roker for Today.
With Al Roker
With Jesse Tyler from Modern Family.
With Heidi Klum.
Australian Beauties - Mim and Liv Nervo dressed in Qasimi.
Cheryl with woman in stunning dress.
Interesting purple gown
Forty Five Ten owner, Brian Bolke in Moschino Uomo hombre runway tuxedo jacket which never made it to production.
Michael Saylor, Andrea Rodgers, Bill Dean and Cheryl Romero
With my dear friend Sanju Bansal, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Microstrategy.
Could you tell us who won the bids for the tennis lesson to Rafael Nadal?
so fabulous! loved living vicariously through you through your recap.
Lovely pics, but no!!!!!!!!! It isn’t Drake LaBry with Adam Lambert! So over!!! No, it is his boyfriend Sauli Koskinen from Finland!!! They met in the fall of 2010.
Wow, sounds like you had a great time! I enjoyed reading about the big gala.
And I love the picture of you with Adam Lambert. But his partner’s name is Sauli Koskinen