On Tuesday night in Harlem, Charlize Theron hosted a cocktail party to help with fundraising efforts for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.
CTAOP was founded by the actress in 2007 to help raise awareness about HIV in her home of South Africa.
Drew Barrymore, Awkwafina, Amy Schumer and South African pop sensation TRESOR supported her during the elegant evening, which took place at The Africa Center.
Guests enjoyed gin and tonics made with South Africa’s finest gin, Inverroche. The cocktails were poured by award-winning South African bartender Travis Kuhn.
Dinner was hosted by Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina, who took the stage in a bright green suit to introduce her close friend and the host of the evening, Theron.
“She’s an incredible actor, producer and founder of CTAOP - my friend and hopefully future roommate, Charlize Theron,” Awkwafina announced before Theron took the stage to address the crowd.
Theron took the stage to raucous applause, informing Awkwafina and the crowd that she was 100 percent serious about being roommates.
The Monster actress later posted about Awkwafina on Instagram, writing, “Girl, I am truly obsessed with you and if you think I’m kidding when I say I’m moving in, just wait till I show up at your door next Tuesday.”
The Bombshell star’s tone became more serious when she addressed the crowd and explained her non-profit’s vision.
“The spirit of Ubuntu which means, ‘I am because we are’ and South Africa have really shaped who I am today. I have always wanted to share the gift that was given to me back to them,” Theron said. She continued, “Our goal is to make sure that every adolescent stays safe and HIV free.”
An extravagant auction took place after Theron’s moving speech about her homeland, with Drew Barrymore winning a 5-star vacation in Malibu that includes a three-hour surfing lesson with Stephanie Gilmore for $25,000.
Another enviable auction item that sold for $45,000 was an all-expense-paid trip to South Africa that included a trip to Inverroche Distillery where guests can make their own bespoke gin and experience the ingredients of the region firsthand.
South Africa-based Lorna Scott, the founder and developer of Inverroche, said she created the gin brand to “establish an industry that would grow the local economy.” Scott has made it her mission to help under-educated women and currently employees almost all women.
The night ended with a performance from the iconic group Boyz II Men.
This wasn’t Theron’s only major event this week - she was also honored by Glamour as the magazine’s Woman of the Year for her work with CTAOP.
