Academy Museum Gala 2021

Been a while since I have experienced that overwhelming WOW factor in a room!!! Last night’s opening gala for the Academy Museum turned out to be everything promised and so much more. First of all, the only selfie I asked for was with Korean heartthrob Lee Byun-hun. Thank you to goddess, Oscar winner Miky Lee for bringing him. And seeing Mayor Garcetti while he’s still our mayor was a treat. Loved hanging with fellow Governor Isis Mussenden who designed her magnificent dress with The face of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, the original founders of the Motion Picture Academy who dreamed even back then of a Museum for cinema. And am so proud to have introduced the Chairman of California’s second largest bank, East West Bank to the Museum so he could sponsor the most coveted room of all—the Oscar experience. Finally, last but not least, Lady Gaga sung her heart out to us. She seemed to be truly enjoying the experience and the exuberance and passion and love she exuded when she belted out song after song perfectly captured the vibe in the room. We were all ecstatic and I can’t say enough about CEO Dawn Hudson and Museum director Bill Kramer for bringing the Museum to life. It was a celebration not just of the beautiful building and exhibitions, but of our entire industry and the power of collaboration.