Diana Ross and James Franco carouse at the AMBI Gala
The stars had their pre-TIFF party on Wednesday at the AMBI Gala, a charity ball benefitting Prince Albert of Monaco’s eco foundation. Martin Short was the MC for the night, cracking jokes about Donald Trump (edgy) and Bill Cosby (edgier). Sylvia Mantella stunned in a purple ombré Giambatista Valli couture gown with a train long enough to sleep under. James Franco arrived late and accidentally got seated at the media table, but he didn’t seem to mind: he enjoyed apps with the little people before someone finally realized the mistake and came to get him.
One auction prize—a chance to walk the red carpet at the TIFF premiere of Wim Wenders’ new film Every Thing Will Be Fine—became a way bigger get when Franco, who stars in the film alongside Rachel McAdams, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Marie-Josée Croze, offered to join the highest bidder on their trek. (The lot ended up going for $30,000.)
Later, Diana Ross took the stage, bringing the room to their feet for a one-hour dance party as she sang some of her greatest hits. The Supremes were nowhere to be seen, but Diana was joined on stage by Tarantino favourite Michael Madsen and ’90s action star Danny Trejo. Members of the Toronto fashion scene, including Zoomer editor-in-chief Suzanne Boyd, Hudson’s Bay honcho Nicholas Mellamphy and author Rana Florida, were storming the front row like tweenage girls at a Bieber show. Even Martin Short had his smartphone out, taking videos of the show.
(Images: George Pimentel)
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Courtney Shea is a freelance journalist in Toronto. She started her career as an intern at Toronto Life and continues to contribute frequently to the publication, including her 2022 National Magazine Award–winning feature, “The Death Cheaters,” her regular Q&As and her recent investigation into whether Taylor Swift hung out at a Toronto dive bar (she did not). Courtney was a producer and writer on the 2022 documentary The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, based on her 2014 Toronto Life magazine feature “The Yorkville Swindler.”
