Youth Villages stories

Steven Tyler brings together Hollywood and rock legends to help to girls through Janie’s Fund, philanthropic partnership with Youth Villages

The inaugural event raised over $2.4 million dollars for Janie’s Fund, a philanthropic initiative created by Tyler in partnership with the national family services nonprofit Youth Villages to bring hope and healing to girls across America who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect.

Celebrities, VIP guests and Janie’s Fund supporters in attendance included Alice Cooper, Ashlee Simpson & Evan Ross, Ashley Tisdale & Christopher French, John Corbett & Bo Derek, Caitlyn Jenner & Sophia Hutchins, Cheech Marin, Chelsea Tyler & Jon Foster, Cody Simpson, David Foster & Katharine McPhee, Francesca Eastwood, Haley Reinhart, Jason Sudeikis & Olivia Wilde, Joey Kramer, Matt Sorum, Melissa Peterman, Moby, Nina Dobrev, Nuno Bettencourt, Pete Wentz, Randy Jackson, Ruby Rose, Sharon Stone, Suzanne Sommers, Terry Crews and more.

Following the star-studded red carpet arrivals, Tyler hosted guests at an intimate VIP cocktail reception – true to his style, the transformed rock ‘n roll chic space featured custom velvet drapes and glowing chandeliers with hanging scarves. The London Essentials entertained guests roaming around the party performing acoustic classics and ushering the guests into the decadent ballroom to watch the GRAMMY Awards telecast live.

Guests were then treated to a multi-course dinner menu designed by Trisha Yearwood while emcee Melissa Peterman had the audience in stitches throughout the evening. Following the telecast, celebrities took part in the live auction which featured exclusive trips including a VIP New Orleans Jazz Fest experience featuring Aerosmith, and original artwork and photographs by Christopher Makos, The Haas Brothers, Mr. Brainwash, Bernie Taupin, and more. Auction highlights included Terry Crews and Olivia Wilde purchasing custom scarves designed by Tyler and limited edition event prints by Brian Fox. Sharon Stone placed the highest bid of $116,000 for the exclusive Christopher Makos print of Andy Warhol kissing John Lennon.

The inaugural gala was capped off with Sharon Stone introducing Tyler and his Nashville-based band, LOVING MARY, who performed the classic hits “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” “Jaded”, and more. The jovial crowd was surprised when Nuno Bettencourt took the stage performing his hit “More Than Words” with Tyler. During “Walk This Way,” Tyler was also joined by Aerosmith’s drummer Joey Kramer and Sesa Wo Suban, a West African drumming group featuring the girls supported by Janie’s Fund. Tyler featured surprise duet performance

Fans can watch a (previously recorded) Facebook Live performance from the event at:   https://www.facebook.com/steventyler and https://www.facebook.com/janiesfund.

Sponsors for the event include Kia Motors, Hilton, and Patrón Tequila.

Co-chair supporters for the event included Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Andrea Bocelli, Bo Derek, Britney Spears, Sir Elton John, Jim Carrey, Joaquin Phoenix, Joe & Marjorie Walsh, Kate Hudson, Lionel Richie, Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, and Yoko Ono.

Note: This event is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by The Recording Academy of the GRAMMY Awards.

About Janie’s Fund

Janie’s Fund is a philanthropic initiative created by Steven Tyler in partnership with one of America’s most effective nonprofits, Youth Villages. The initiative provides hope and healing for many of our country’s most vulnerable girls who have survived the trauma of abuse and neglect. For more information, visit JaniesFund.org.

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