Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation
Shining bright indeed was Rihanna, who hosted her first annual Diamond Ball in Beverly Hills last night.
The Bajan songbird was the star of the evening at her inaugural black tie fundraising event benefitting the Clara Lionel Foundation, which was held at producer Victorino Noval‘s 157-acre enclave, The Vineyard.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel presided over the event, which was attended by entertainment and business executives to celebrities and philanthropists.
During the brilliant evening, Brad Pitt gave a hilarious introduction as Rihanna took the stage for a killer orchestral performance. The singer changed into a second Zac Posen gown, a midnight blue ball gown which varied differently from the bubblegum pink confection she donned on the red carpet, for her performance of “Umbrella” and “Run This Town,” which guests like Kimmel and Ellen Pompeo danced throughout.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation
After her performance, Rihanna joined the audience to watch Big Sean perform hits like “Clique.” Other guests included Naomi Campbell, Tesla founder Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Salma Hayak & Francois-Henri Pinault, Fabolous, Adrienne Bailon, Ne-Yo, Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete, DJ Mustard, Tia Mowry-Hardrict & Cory Hardrict, Lewis Hamilton, Chris Ivery, Duane Martin, Nikki Reed, Terrence J, No ID, Michel Pras, Marlon Wayans, Tyrese Gibson, Kat Graham and Mo McRae ,among others.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation
Gavel & Grand, an online auction house dedicated to connecting causes and brands in order to bring truly remarkable experiences and luxury items together on an innovative global platform, served as auction partner for the evening.
Founded in 2012 by Rihanna in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite, CLF works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts, and culture. Funds raised from last night’s Diamond Ball will go into improving the Clara Brathwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Rihanna’s home country of Barbados. In addition to supporting healthcare infrastructure planning, funds will be used to purchase additional radiotherapy equipment.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation
CLF’s grants fund efforts promoting health, education, arts and culture globally. What began with a heartfelt, personal donation from Rihanna has transformed into a comprehensive effort to deliver quality treatment for cancer patients in Barbados. Rihanna witnessed first-hand the inefficiencies and great need for development in the healthcare system during her grandmother’s battle with the disease. To date Rihanna has personally donated funds to establish the existing Clara Brathwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine and purchased the facility’s first modern radiotherapy machine, the Equinox Beam.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for the Clara Lionel Foundation