The weekend in Los Angeles was filled with pre-Golden Globes parties, but a special event returned for its 7th year – Gold Meets Golden – where former Olympians from around the world and young paralympic athletes mingle with Hollywood’s finest entertainers to celebrate the Golden Globes weekend AND support Angel City Sports, a Los Angeles organization that fosters young athletes with disabilities with the resources, coaching, and equipment they need to train as future adaptive Paralympic hopefuls.

On Saturday, January 4, the party held at the dreamy Virginia Robinson Gardens estate in Beverly Hills saw sports legends meeting Hollywood legends. Hollywood stars wished good luck to the athletes of the Olympics and Paralympic Games held in Tokyo 2020. The estate donned in gold offered passed Japanese brunch bites like uni risotto and handheld sushi cones, glittery doughnuts from Blue Star, and Imperia Cavaiar bites.

In partnership with FASHWIRE, and presented by Coca-Cola Company (the longest continuous corporate partner of the Olympic Games), guests tried out the new Coca-Cola Energy drink in 4 flavors along with Mexican Coca-Colas, Topa-Chico and Dasani flavored sparkling water. The three hour day-bash also had attendees sipping rose, champagne, and Herradura tequila cocktails while mingling with Golden Globe nominees and sports legends.

A gold shiny 8-series BMW was on-site from Beverly Hills BMW for guests to sign as a show of support as BMW pledged to donate the cost of a participant’s racing chair since wheelchair racing is one of the most popular sports at the annual Angel City Games.

Many notables came out to support the cause like Nicole Kidman (who just came off the plane and was obviously distressed of the news in Australia), Jon Voight (who spoke with every Olympian and graciously allowed so many guests to pose with him), Rami Malek, Chris Evans, “Hulk” Lou Ferrigno, Ginnifer Goodwin, Joey King, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein. 

2020 Golden Globes nominee Taron Egerton presented the Team USA Bobsled team with Sochi 2014 medals they had recently upgraded due to the Russian doping scandal.  The Medals were presented by Sylvester Stallone’s daughter, actress Sistine Stallone.

Globe-nominated Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple/Harriet) awed the crowd by singing a moving melody of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” X-Factor Star Emmanuel Kelly, a disabled singer with a Paralympian brother swimmer, performed an emotional rendition of his single “Never Alone” with Wheelchair dance troupe The Rollettes.

Sports legends in attendance included five-time Olympic Gold Medalist Nadia Comaneci with her husband retired Olympic gymnast Bart Conner who wowed the crowd with a handstand. Diver Greg Louganis enjoyed the festivities with his husband and was honored with a special surprise birthday cake for his upcoming 60th birthday presented by his Olympic fan Matt Bomer. 

Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi brought her daughter and was shown a picture (of Yamaguchi holding Dever as baby) from Globes-nominee  Kaitlyn Dever who idolized her as a child.

Other happy legends floating around included Willie Gault (football), Apolo Ohno (speed skater), Vincent Hancock (Olympic shooter), Ibtihaj Muhammad (sabre fencer), Sakura Kokumai (karate), Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner (pair skaters), John Naber (swimmer), Ezra Frech (Paralympics track and field), Mallory Weggemann (Paralympic swimmer), Candace Cable (6-time winner of Boston Marathon), and Allysa Seely (para triathlete).

Australian and Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Ian Thorpe chatted with fellow Aussies Nicole Kidman about her home in Australia threatened by the unprecedented fires, and Naomi Watts about the upcoming Olympics and hopes for Australia to win a medal in Tokyo 2020. Celebrities participated in a special Paralympic Tennis Demo with Gold Medalist David Wagner and children from charity Angel City Sports.

The message was clear when sports and entertainment interact. – “We are kind of each other’s heroes and the power of sport can transform lives.” Gold Meets Golden raised over $50,000 to send over 200 children and participants to the Angel City Games in June at UCLA and cover the costs of uniforms, wheelchair racers, and other adaptive equipment.

Upon exit, lucky attendees of Gold Meets Golden 2020 left with a jam-packed Gold-Medal Rolling Gift Bag from the Mr. Morris Foundation valued at over $10,000.  Items included a Sanchaya Indonesian Resort Plush Robe and 5-night Resort Stay, a Coca-Cola Commemorative Toyko 2020 smartphone wallet, BMW Beverly Hills mini Golf Kit,  Herradura Tequila Ultra Anejo Bottle with Commemorative Gold Meets Golden Medal, Ghost Democracy Full Clean Skincare Kit, TONAL Fitness $500 coupon and Blender bottle, J’Adore Les Fleurs Everlasting Golden Flower Arrangement and a UNIQLO Golden ultra-lightweight down jacket.

Other incredible products gifted include the CBDfx Hydrating CBD Mask and Muscle Balm, Rosetta Stone 24-MONTH access card for learning a new language, Paul Mitchell Sugar Cream, Sugar Day Cleanse and Sugar Spray Collection, Wheaties Commemorative USA Women’s Soccer Champions Box, UR+H CBD Fire and Ice roll-on and Peppermint lotion, Golden Door Full luxury body skincare kit + Gift Card to a 5-night stay at their resort spa, Cann Deux Full Spectrum CBD serum Le Grand Courtage Brut Rose Wine bottle, beatsbydre Golden Edition Headphones, The Giving Keys Rose Gold Mini Key Pendant Necklace, and Official Limited Merchandise for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The afternoon shined bright, golden, like all who attended. Best wishes for those participating in Tokyo 2020 #GoldMeetsGolden