Giving A Smile Gala: A Star-Studded Evening of Impact at The Beverly Hilton
- By: Ani Gutierrez | Photos: Rodin Eckenroth
Star power met purpose at Giving A Smile Foundation’s first gala, where Kelsey Grammer hosted, Robin Thicke performed, and generosity helped fund life-changing dental care.
Walking into the Beverly Hilton on Thursday night, gown swaying with every step and heels echoing off the marble floors, didn’t feel like stepping into another black-tie fundraiser, but straight into a glamorous, purpose-driven affair. This was an evening that mattered: The Giving A Smile Foundation’s Inaugural Gala.
Embellished gowns, sleek suits, and a soft wash of golden light set the tone for a luxurious evening anchored by a deeply meaningful mission: to provide high-quality, no-cost dental care to underserved youth across Los Angeles.
Presented by Rifkin Raanan Beverly Hills Dentistry and hosted by actor Kelsey Grammer, entertainers, philanthropists, and industry leaders gathered under one roof to support the foundation’s work restoring confidence, health, and opportunity for local underprivileged children.
Star power shook hands with civic leadership throughout the room. Attendees included Robin Thicke, Selling Sunset’s Emma Hernan, and Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian alongside honorees and presenters Harry Goodwins (The Gentleman), James Tupper (Big Little Lies), Colin Egglesfield (The Client List), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer), and more. Industry leaders, philanthropists, and creatives filled the room, joined by the dentists behind Rifkin Raanan Dentistry, whose commitment to the foundation made the night possible.
The pre-dinner scene came to life with flowing cocktails, generous pours of Doctor’s Orders wine, polished photo moments, and an effortlessly elevated crowd mingling beneath the ballroom’s golden glow. Moments later (perhaps one extra glass of wine later than planned), the room shifted as guests settled in for a full-course dinner and the evening’s program took center stage.
Heartfelt speeches shaped the night, including powerful patient testimonies that reminded everyone why they were there. These weren’t abstract statistics, they were real stories of young people whose lives had been directly impacted by access to dental care. The room listened, leaned in, and turned empathy into real action by responding with generous donations that would directly change lives.
When the bidding opened, the generosity in the room was impossible to ignore. Live bidding and auctions, featuring trips to Thailand and Napa, Catalina yacht excursions, custom art by Matt Smiley, and diamond jewelry from XIV Karats LTD Beverly Hills, sparked an enthusiastic wave of donations. The act of giving was palpable, underscoring the shared belief that this foundation’s work matters.
Awards marked key moments of the program, recognizing individuals whose leadership, vision, and healing hands have made a lasting difference. Mayor Nazarian received the Humanitarian Leadership Award, joined by Lorrie Bartlett (Guiding Light Award), JR Dzubak (Visionary Impact Award), and Dr. Katja Van Herle (Healing Hands Award). Together, the awards underscored the changemakers propelling the foundation’s mission forward.
The evening found its rhythm through performances by The Voice alum Jacquie Lee, alongside sets from Griffith Frank and Lindsay Gitter, with DJ Pookie maintaining the room’s pulse between performances. Marco DelVecchio also took the stage for a brief, playful comedy set, adding laughter to the mix. It was Robin Thicke who shifted the energy of the room entirely, though.
When Thicke took the stage to close out the night, formality practically melted away. Guests rose from their tables, flooded the floor, and sang along as he moved through the crowd, transforming the elegant, seated gala into an intimate, feel-good finale.
Beyond the glamor, Giving A Smile Foundation’s mission remained the true headliner. Proceeds from the gala will fund the creation of a permanent, no-cost dental clinic in L.A., along with two fully equipped mobile dental units designed to bring care directly into underserved communities.
“In addition to building our first stand-alone year-round dental clinic, we’re raising funds to bring care directly to those who need it most,” shared Dr. Justin Raanan, DDS, MMSc. “These mobile units will allow us to remove barriers and expand our impact across Los Angeles.”
As we drifted out of the Beverly Hilton, conversations still humming and silk trains treading behind softened footsteps, the night lingered well beyond the final toast. This wasn’t philanthropy confined to a single night, it was a mission in motion, guided with purpose and built around changing lives. What began as an elegant evening ended as a promise, one with the power to reshape futures one smile at a time.
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