MAC Cosmetics Threw a Billion Dollar Ball to Celebrate 30 Years of Viva Glam

Tennis legend Serena Williams and William P. Lauder, American billionaire businessman, and executive chairman of The Estée Lauder CompaniesPhoto byRob Berry/BFA.com

MAC Cosmetics is on a mission to raise $1 billion dollars for the MAC AIDS Fund, which benefits HIV/AIDS research—and it’s already more than halfway there. To fete the $525 million already raised so far (for over 30 years, a percentage of sales from the Viva Glam lipstick range has gone to the fund), the beauty brand hosted a star-studded “Billion Dollar Ball” last night in New York City's Financial District.

“We wanted to do something special,” says Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois, global general manager of MAC Cosmetics. “One thing that has been on my mind is always about making sure that we continue to build the incredible legacy that this initiative is actually forging." When Viva Glam debuted in 1994, founders Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo established the MAC AIDS Fund to raise funds for HIV/AIDS research. Now, Moudachirou-Rébois tells Vogue that the brand is broadening its scope with the MAC Viva Glam fund, which continues to give back 100% of the purchasing price to charities that support sexual, gender, racial, and environmental equality around the world.

So through the party, Moudachirou-Rébois and global creative director Drew Elliott brought together its charitable partners, celebrities, influencers, and friends of MAC to celebrate the money already raised, but as a commitment to raising the next $500 million. “So why is that a better way to go celebrate, you know, charity in a vault next to the New York Stock Exchange,” Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois quips.

To start the evening, VIPs like Normani, Winnie Harlow, Lil Kim, JT, and Lourdes Leon walked the red carpet before making their way into the abandoned vault decked out in red, money motifs, retro telephones, and of course—plenty of lipsticks. Serena Williams was spotted mingling next to a giant crystal chandelier. Teyana Taylor was seen bopping by the bar. Leomie Anderson was seen posing for a picture—all until model Alex Consani welcomed everyone to the stage and introduced Moudachirou-Rébois and Elliott, who thanked new ambassadors—Danna Paola and Kim Petras—for their partnership. “Not only are they global superstars, Grammy-nominated, amazing people—but they really fight for the queer community, women's rights,” Elliott says to the crowd. “They're leaders in what they do and in their advocacy.”

Minutes later, the night reached its peak when Petras took to the stage to perform three of her latest hits. All showed off their best moves and sang along to Petras's viral single “I Don’t Want It At All” while sipping on custom cocktails inspired by the Viva Glam lipstick shades. Following the electrifying performance, the crowd buzzed about and certainly left with a new friend or two.

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