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Whitney Cummings Talks About the Cancer Research Gala Hosting: ‘I Strongly Believe in Delusional Confidence’
Whitney Cummings, comedy queen, is well aware that making people laugh at a charity event for cancer research is a tough call.
“I really believe in delusional confidence,” Cummings says to Yahoo, as she was stepping on the red carpet before holding the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s annual An Unforgettable Evening gala in Beverly Hills.
Last year was the first time Cummings hosted the event, so naturally she has gotten a bit of experience this year.
Whitney Cummings Jokes About L.A. Crowd While Hosting Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala
Whitney Cummings hilariously shared how she feels about playing to a L.A. crowd: “You have to realize that if a joke doesn’t hit in the way I expected, that’s because everyone in L.A. is on drugs.”
Besides, you know, “When you’re microdosing cannabis and psilocybin because you’re a millionaire with problems. You’re all Xanaxed. So for a bunch of drugged-up people, that joke actually didn’t do too bad.”
The annual gala raises funds for the Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which has been backing groundbreaking cancer research for more than two decades.
Honored at the ceremony were Kerry Washington and Anastasia Soare, in recognition of their dedication and contributions to the cause.
Whitney Cummings Juggles Jest with Earnestness at Women’s Cancer Research Fund Evening
Immediately after stepping on the platform, Whitney Cummings readily accepted the task of mixing comedy with the serious cause of the women’s cancer research fund gala, and this year’s crowd was far more responsive to her humor. The funny lady made a mock of the likes of RFK Jr. and herself among others in a lighthearted manner which kept the chuckling going.
Laughter aside, the night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel was in fact devoted to a serious issue. On the red carpet, Kerry Washington spoke to Yahoo about the pressing need of keeping the cancer research campaign alive.
Kerry Washington Gets Courage Award at Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala
Kerry Washington got the Courage Award at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund gala. However, she was quite surprised and humbled by the honor.
“Sadly, we live in a time where women’s health is becoming less and less of a priority,” she said. “So it really warms the heart to see an organization that is doing so much to raise awareness of the ways in which cancer affects women in particular.”
Washington was accompanied at the event by her mother, Valerie, who is a breast and ovarian cancer survivor.
“That’s just crazy,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed by this organization and the work that they do. If I can give my name and visibility to this work in any way, I’m thankful for the chance. But in terms of courage, it’s really people like my mom who are out there doing the battle.”Jennifer Lopez Gives Kerry Washington Courage Award at Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala
Jennifer Lopez Gives Kerry Washington Courage Award at Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala
Women’s Cancer Research Fund founder Jamie Tisch admired Kerry Washington’s commitment to women’s health, “Kerry is such a wonderful advocate for women. She has been very supportive of breast cancer research and she’s a simply fantastic person.”
The biggest moment of the night was when Jennifer Lopez suddenly appeared to give the Courage Award to the Scandal star.
“Kerry and I are actually from the same Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx,” Lopez shared with the attendees. “A lot of us have seen Kerry as a phenomenal actress and producer who dazzles the audience with her talent and charm, but her real light shines just as brightly when she is off camera, using her voice for a cause.”
Kerry Washington Gets Courage Award, Remembers Her Mother Who Still Inspires Her
Kerry Washington, wiping tears off her eyes, was presented with the Courage Award at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund gala. She then talked about the only person who really showed her what courage is: her mother.
“Only my mother deserves to get an award when I think about courage and cancer,” she said.
Washington then shared a part of her memoir about her mother’s cancer and how, it actually, made them closer.
“It’s not just about surviving,” Washington said, “it’s more than that. It’s about love. It’s about courage. It’s about having an opportunity to love one another in a way deeper than ever before thanks to the research that you do.”
Anastasia Soare receives Unsung Hero Award at Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala
Sofía Vergara and a host of others were present to celebrate the Unsung Hero Award recipient Anastasia Soare, the founding mother of Anastasia Beverly Hills, for her incessant support of the organization and advocacy of its goals.
Looking back at what has been grooming her charitable side, Soare explained that it was through her engagement with patients receiving chemotherapy that she recognized a need for eyebrow enhancing cosmetics which will help the eyelashes return to their natural state during therapy.
“One thing that really hit them hard was the loss of their eyebrows,” she explained. “For some it may appear very trivial but to a lot of women it feels like losing a part of their self-identity.”
Shortly afterwards, Demi Lovato sang at the fundraiser and gave a lovely presentation of her singles that included “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Cool for the Summer.”
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