Glamour had a cause, and Cannes had its crescendo. On May 22, the 31st edition of the amfAR Gala Cannes unfolded beneath the moonlight at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, delivering a record-breaking $17 million for AIDS research and a reminder that even in the world of high fashion and higher stakes, purpose still takes the spotlight.
Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the night merged megawatt stardom with heartfelt advocacy. The Oscar-nominated actress and activist opened the evening with a stirring call to action: “We all have a part to play in bringing this global epidemic to an end.” Her words set the tone for a gala that honored both progress and the urgent need to keep pushing. Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR’s longtime CEO, bid farewell with a poignant reminder: “Only ten people have been cured. We need to do better.”
Taraji P. Henson attends the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for amfAR)
Ciara performs on stage during the amfAR gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty
Paris Jackson attends the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for amfAR)
All Eyes on the Stage
Performances turned the evening into a cinematic fever dream. Ciara lit up the stage with an electrifying set that included “1, 2 Step” and her new single “Ecstasy.” Later, Adam Lambert, joined by Queen’s Roger Taylor, brought the house down with a Queen medley that had the crowd on its feet. But the final act belonged to Duran Duran, whose classic hits like “Girls on Film” and “Notorious” served as a euphoric close to a night of bidding and big feelings.
John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes attend the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for amfAR)
Art, Auctions, and a Dash of Bond
The live auction, orchestrated by the always-theatrical Simon de Pury, was equal parts adrenaline and absurdity. Adrien Brody took the stage not as an actor but an artist, auctioning a mixed-media Marilyn Monroe piece for $425,000—not without a heartfelt ode to women’s inner lives and a mic-drop moment of shushing the crowd. James Franco followed with a decades-in-the-making painting that pulled $368,000, while Spike Lee casually threw in courtside Knicks seats alongside a walk-on role in his next film. The lot closed at $454,000, with Taraji P. Henson playfully campaigning to co-star.
Spike Lee and Adrien Brody attend the amfAR Cannes Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Getty Images for amfAR
Among the glitziest bids: a $510,000 winning bid from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez for an entire fashion show collection. The runway, styled by Carine Roitfeld, channeled spy thriller chic with pieces from Chanel, Dior, Prada, Saint Laurent, Off-White, and more. Cara Delevingne opened the show. Teri Hatcher, yes, that Bond girl, made a surprise return in a scene-stealing black gown.
Who Was There (And Where They Sat)
The guest list read like a golden-age Hollywood call sheet rewritten by Vogue and Vanity Fair. Leonardo DiCaprio (stealth-mode in a ball cap, naturally), Jeff Bezos, Vittoria Ceretti, Michelle Rodriguez, Mariska Hargitay, Colman Domingo, Heidi Klum, and Julian Lennon rubbed shoulders with Jeffrey Wright, Evan Ross, Paris Jackson, and a fast-expanding web of models, moguls, and movie stars.
Kevin Spacey, making cautious steps toward a comeback, kept a lower profile at the back of the room. Meanwhile, Robin Thicke auctioned a Glass Onion mansion stay with enough pools to make the French Riviera jealous.
The honorary chairs were equally stacked: Halle Berry, Marion Cotillard, Tom Cruise, Michelle Yeoh, Demi Moore, Milla Jovovich, and Pedro Almodóvar lent their names—and their influence—to a night where attention meant action.
Marina Ruy Barbosa attends the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Colby Tallia/amfAR/amfAR via Getty Images)
Karolína Kurková attends the amfAR Gala Cannes (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR)
Barbara Palvin attends the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Colby Tallia/amfAR/amfAR via Getty Images)
Colman Domingo and Heidi Klum speak onstage during the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Kennedy Pollard/amfAR/amfAR via Getty Images)
The Verdict
The 2025 amfAR Gala Cannes was a grand gesture, a stage of impact, and a reminder that style, when paired with purpose, can raise more than just eyebrows—it can raise millions. And in a world where the red carpet often overshadows the cause, amfAR proved once again: glamour can get things done.
Seen at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Kennedy Pollard/amfAR/amfAR via Getty Images)
An item for auction onstage during the amfAR gala Cannes 2025 (Photo by Andreas Rentz/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR)
