amfAR's expanded mission represents innovation, not abandonment. CEO Kyle Clifford emphasized that the organization is 'leveraging everything HIV research has taught us' to accelerate breakthroughs across human health — positioning this as evolution, not a departure from the core cause.
Insiders are whispering about mission creep. While guests like Eva Longoria and Heidi Klum sipped Champagne Telmont on the lavender carpet, longtime supporters of the organization are questioning whether expanding into cancer and neurodegenerative diseases dilutes amfAR's original purpose of ending HIV and AIDS.
$20 million raised (€17.2M) at the May 22 Cannes gala. Kyle Clifford is the first HIV-positive CEO in amfAR history, stating their mission now includes cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammation research.
Love how the A-list turned out for a good cause — but when an organization pivots its core mission right after naming its first HIV-positive leader, you have to wonder if Clifford is the one steering this ship or just the face of someone else's agenda.
The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France was dripping with star power Thursday night as amfAR held its annual Cannes Film Festival gala — but beneath the champagne bubbles and lavender carpet photo ops, something bigger was shifting. Rami Malek walked the carpet with director Ira Sachs, fresh off debuting their film "The Man I Love" at Cannes the previous night — a movie about a theater performer navigating life after an AIDS diagnosis in 1980s New York.
The thematic alignment seemed perfect until CEO Kyle Clifford took the stage and quietly dropped that amfAR is expanding its reach beyond HIV/AIDS research into cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammation. Clifford — who made history as the first HIV-positive person to lead the organization — framed it as progress: 'We are leveraging everything HIV research has taught us to accelerate breakthroughs across human health. That is what amfAR provides, not just funding — hope.' But longtime supporters of the cause might be scratching their heads.
Geena Davis, hosting the evening and a Cannes fixture this year with her "Thelma and Louise" co-star Susan Sarandon appearing on the festival's official poster, gave an emotional speech about how far HIV treatment has come since 1991 while still emphasizing amfAR's core mission. The disconnect between what was said onstage and where the money is actually headed raises questions about whether Clifford is charting a new course or inheriting someone else's roadmap.
The auction itself was classic Cannes excess — and classic awkwardness. "Emily in Paris" star William Abadie walked the runway to help auction off a walk-on role for Season 6, eventually taking what appeared to be a phone call from series creator Darren Starr to confirm two spots were up for grabs. The gavel came down at €375,000.
This was notably less fraught than 2024, when amfAR auctioned an "Emily in Paris" role before Netflix had officially renewed the show for Season 5 — a PR stumble that clearly didn't deter the streamer from participating this time around. Other headline items included Chopard diamond earrings sold to billionaire Len Blavatnik for €600,000, a custom Denza and Chopard car at €700,000, a George Condo x Audemars Piguet watch at €1.45 million, and Andy Warhol's Marilyn prints fetching €2.8 million.
Legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury even broke his gavel — literally — during the proceedings. Meanwhile, Ciara Miller from "Summer House" served as special guest correspondent for the evening, reportedly becoming one of the most-Googled celebrities at the black-tie affair alongside Malek himself. The Bravo star is also headed to "Dancing with the Stars," according to Variety's coverage — a trajectory that suggests she's actively positioning herself beyond reality TV.
Performances came from Lizzo (who greeted photographers with a cheerful 'Bonsoir!'), Robbie Williams, and Zara Larsson, whose set "Lush Life" kicked off the afterparty around 1 a.m. Guests including Adrien Grenier danced until dawn to DJ Honey Dijon's beats while devouring pizza slices on the lawn. All glitz aside, $20 million is nothing to sneeze at — but when an organization founded to fight AIDS starts funding cancer research under new leadership, you have to ask: is this diversification or dilution?
