FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2002 Elton John AIDS Foundation

Star-Studded Event Raises Over $500, 000

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 25, 2002 – Sir Elton John hosted the 10Th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party to celebrate the Academy Awards® on Sunday, March 24th at Moomba. Co-hosted by luxury jeweler & watchmaker, Chopard, and sponsored by IN STYLE magazine, the star-studded event raised more than $500,000 for the charity.

The gala celebration was attended by the Hollywood and Music Industry elite, including Oscars Winners Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, Sissy Spacek, Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Sir Ian McKellan, Jon Bon Jovi, Kate Beckinsale, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Spacey, Linda Eder, Joely Fisher, Vivica A. Fox, Jamie Foxx, John Goodman, Kelsey Grammer, Rachel Griffiths, Daryl Hannah, Patty Hearst, Jill Hennessey, Donna Karan, Jeffery Katzenberg, Jane Kaczmarek, Heidi Klum, David Lachapelle, Martin Landau, Bai Ling, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Toby Maguire, Ricky Martin, Kyle McLaughlin, Dennis Miller, Apolo Anton Ohno, Derek Parra, Teri Polo, Tara Reid, Kathleen Quinlan, Janet Reno, Lionel Richie, LeAnn Rimes, Herb Ritts, Mark Ruffalo, Molly Sims, Jennifer Tilly, Nick Turturro, Donatella Versace, Jon Voight, John Waters, Naomi Watts, Bradley Whitford, and many more.

This year’s party marked a special occasion for the Elton John AIDS Foundation as the organization celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary. Elton John began his Annual Party to celebrate the Academy Awards® to raise international awareness and resources for individuals affected by the AIDS virus. The event not only honors the finest in filmmaking, but more importantly, it is an opportunity for the entertainment industry to show its continuing support in the fight against AIDS.

Guests arrived at 4:30 p.m. for a cocktail reception followed by a five-course benefit dinner and viewing of the Academy Awards telecast. Special event designer Colin Cowie transformed Moomba Restaurant into an extraordinary atmosphere befitting of this memorable Hollywood gala. The post-show celebration began immediately after the awards ceremony, honoring the Oscar winners and nominees. DreamWorks new female Latin pop group, Soluna, kicked off the celebration. Later in the evening, rising musician, Ryan Adams, entertained guests with his unique mix of country and rock n’ roll music which culminated in a duet with Elton John featuring songs “La Cienga” and “Rocket Man.”

Chopard graciously donated two watches – one his and one hers worth $25,000 each, which were awarded to the dinner guests who correctly predicted the most Oscar winners. In addition, Chopard dressed a few celebrity guests in diamonds for the special evening including Molly Sims, Fran Dresher and Roseanne Barr.

This is the 10TH year that Elton John has hosted the biggest fund-raiser on Oscar night and it is sixth year that his charity has joined forces with IN STYLE. Luxury jeweler & watchmaker, Chopard re-affirmed it’s long-term international commitment to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and in association with IN STYLE, underwrote 100 % of the expenses for the dinner and after-party.

Chopard has more than 50 boutiques worldwide, including locations in New York City, Costa Mesa California and Palm Beach, Florida. With a commitment to quality that has made it one of only three Swiss watchmakers to be honored with the prestigious Official Seal of Geneva, the precious jewel and watchmaker has become an internationally recognized symbol of quality, luxury and high fashion with celebrities and royalty around the world.

IN STYLE, a celebrity lifestyle magazine, was launched in June 1994 by Time Inc. and in six and a half years has emerged as one of the most successful magazines on newsstands today. An insider's guide to the lives and lifestyles of the world's most fascinating people, IN STYLE offers a wealth of inspiration and ideas about beauty, fashion, decor, entertaining and charities.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 by Elton John, who serves as its Chairman. With offices in Los Angeles and London, The Foundation is an international non-profit organization that provides funding for prevention education programs and direct patient care services supporting men, women, young adults, children, infants, minorities and entire families living with HIV/AIDS. Since it’s inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $30 million in grants worldwide.

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