The nearly 1,000 invitees to Elton John’s 26th Academy Awards viewing party raised $5.9 million for the performer’s AIDS Foundation on Sunday night. The Los Angeles Times reports that attendees were invited to text in pledges as the Oscar telecast was displayed on multiple screens throughout the room. A live auction of several artworks and other items also generated more than $725,000 during the event. Celebrities in attendance included Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Billie Jean King, Spike Lee, and Lionel Richie. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised more than $400 million for various programs aimed at fighting AIDS globally since being founded in 1992.
Source: LA Times