Hollywood has long been inspired by the sports industry and vice versa, but rarely do these two worlds have the chance to mix and mingle. 2019 Awards Season got in full swing on Saturday January 5 with some of the greatest athletes from across the world to the House on Sunset, in West Hollywood to celebrate the Golden weekend. As the longest continuous corporate partner of the Olympic Games, “Gold Meets Golden 6” was refreshed by The Coca-Cola Company, and produced and founded by CW3PR’s Charley Cullen Walters and Cinema Magazine’s Scott Orlin. The concept for the daytime brunch began when athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games were surprised by shout-outs from their favorite Hollywood celebrities, and several of those athletes were invited to Hollywood Awards season. The outcome was “Gold Meets Golden” – a chance for Gold Medalists and other athletes to engage with some of the Entertainment Industry’s best award nominees, and realize how much they inspire one another. With the recent announcement of the Olympics’ triumphant return to Los Angeles in 2028, Hollywood has been handed a fresh dose of Olympic Fever.
Host Nicole Kidman, casually chic dressed wore blue jeans and a Valentino short black coat with pointed-toe Jimmy Choo heels. Charley made sure to introduce her to athletes Alex Shibutani, Maia Shibutani, Tatyana McFadden, Michelle Kwan, Adam Rippon and Amy Purdy. After posing for photos she walked to Octavia Spencer who was chatting with Olympic Athletes Missy Franklin, Cassie Sharpe, and Mac Bohonnon. Nicole and Octavia hugged and talked for a while.
Nicole Kidman, Alex Shibutani, Maia Shibutani, Adam Rippon and Jussi-Pekka Kajaala
One of my favorite actresses Amy Adams also attended this event, she was wearing a white dress with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she looked so beautiful. She posed for selfies with fans and was overwhelmed by the attention, but was super nice taking photos with everyone that asked. Outside in the backyard garden Amy met with Daniel Bruhl, Jessica Chastain, and Edgar Ramirez - Golden Globe nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries Made for TV - in a corner next to a table filled with Schaffer truffle gold chocolates.
Daniel Bruhl, Jessica Chastain, Amy Adams and Edgar Ramirez
Figure Skater Adam Rippon proudly and happily introduced his real estate broker boyfriend Jussi-Pekka Kajaala to everyone. Adam told me they met on the dating app Tinder in Finland while he was visiting last year. Later they pose for photos getting on each other’s back while pulling on the cord making believe they were hiking a mountain in the Discovery Destinations and Farbound photo booth where they spotlighted the new 2020 Olympic sport of Sports Climbing, with a state-of-the-art projection-mapped, interactive Augmented Reality photo experience. Jussi was flying to Finland the next day, so Adam and Jussi told me they were spending their last night together relaxing at his home in Santa Monica.
Selma Fonseca with Adam Rippon and Jussi-Pekka Kajaala
Lady Gaga’s co-writer and producer Mark Ronson introduce singer, actor and Golden Globe nominee Billy Porter, he sang Golden Globe nominated song “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” Film. While Billy performed everyone was quietly listening to the melancholic song including Matt Bomer, Nicole Kidman and MJ Rodriguez. A specialty new Gold grand piano, was featured in the performance which will be auctioned off online following the event to benefit the Angel City Games.
Billy Porter and Topher Grace
Topher Grace and Billy Porter congratulated each other on their Golden Globe nominations and posed for photos.
A $50,000 donation was also presented by The Points Guy, Brian Kelly, on behalf of the sponsors including United Airlines, Coca-Cola and others. At the event, attendees received a first look at the new LAX Private Suite program from United Airlines, the official travel partner for Gold Meets Golden and also a proud sponsor of TeamUSA. J Vineyards & Winery Michelin-star Chef Carl Shelton provided a gold-medal menu of Brunch libations, including gold-dusted marmalade pop-tarts, golden croquembouches, and a gold signature sparkling wine coupe tower.
A personal highlight of the day was meeting Kim Glass not only she is beautiful, fun and a boss lady but she is also an American indoor volleyball player and model. She is 6 ft 2.5 in and plays as an outside hitter. She currently plays for Rabita Baku. She joined the U.S. national team on May 23, 2007. Glass made her first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping Team USA to a silver medal.
Selma Fonseca with Kim Glass and Kinya Claiborne
Selma Fonseca with Asher Loera, Kim Glass and Kinya Claiborne
Other notables in attendance: Chrissy Metz, Danielle Macdonald, Ryan Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Joe Alwyn, Hailie Sahar, Jenna Dewan, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Bryan Fogel, Welcomed Athletes, Olympians and Paralympians Michelle Kwan, Nadia Comaneci, Candace Cable, Carl Lewis, Connor Fields, Edwin Moses, Akuoma Omeoga, Amy Purdy, Cassie Sharpe, Danell Leyva, David Boudia, Jessica Mendoza, John Moffet, John Naber, Jodan Burroughs, Jordyn Wieber, Katie Uhlaender, Madison Kocian, Maia Shibutani, Meryl Davis, Mirai Nagasu, Nasita Liukin, Ngozi Onwumere, Nicole Giorano, Rashad Jennings, Tatyana McFadden.
This was indeed a great warm up for Golden Globe weekend and 2019 Awards Season!
I am very happy I meet Amy Adams, I am a huge fan!
All photos are copyrighted Selma Fonseca.