Plus, Jordin Sparks starts a dance party, Jimmy Kimmel helps raise $85K for L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade and other happenings around town
Sightings, hearings and happenings around town, brought to you by Engine Vision Media — behind Los Angeles, Pasadena and Orange Coast magazines and historic Downtown L.A. restaurant Engine Co. No. 28. Email your tips to [email protected].
A FEW YEARS AGO, Guillermo del Toro had been working with Netflix on the Trollhunters trilogy when he met with co-CEO Ted Sarandos and his team. Sarandos asked him what was on his bucket list as far as projects to direct.
“I mentioned impossible things,” del Toro revealed to the audience assembled at the Academy Museum on Oct. 6. “The main two were two sides of a tale of prodigal fathers and lost sons: It was Pinocchio and Frankenstein. And he said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
The stars of his Frankenstein reimagination, Oscar Isaac, Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth and bodyguard-warranting heartthrob Jacob Elordi, attended the festive film premiere presented by Tiffany & Co. Also packing the theater were famous fans eager to see the awards contender, such as Sebastian Stan, Janelle Monáe and Jon Favreau.
Mia Goth as Elizabeth in “Frankenstein.”Credit: Cr. Ken Woroner/Netflix © 2025
CENTER STAGE
Jordin Sparks (below) sparked a dance party at the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s Night of Compassion. After philanthropists including Tina Knowles and Cookie Johnson received awards, the former American Idol winner got guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s ballroom to the dance floor and grooving to songs from her hit “No Air” to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
Jordin Sparks performs onstage during The Elizabeth Taylor Night of Compassion at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Sept. 18 in Beverly Hills.Credit: Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
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During his late September show at the Hollywood Bowl, John Legend thrilled fans with surprise performances from Estelle and hip-hop duo Clipse.
And following the Emmy Awards broadcast, Disney celebrated its 13 wins across its Hulu, ABC and Disney titles at Vibiana in Downtown L.A. The starry group of partygoers included Michelle Williams, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Sterling K. Brown and Erin and Sara Foster — but the piping hot slices from Pizzeria Sei attracted just as much attention.
Martin Short, Michelle Williams and Steve Martin at The Walt Disney Company Post-Emmys® Celebration on Sept. 14.Credit: Disney/Frank Micelotta
SEEN AROUND TOWN
Poshly dressed stars from the small screen, such as Patricia Arquette, Quinta Brunson and Ike Barinholtz, enjoyed scones and sandwiches at the Maybourne Beverly Hills for the BAFTA North America TV Tea Party.
unson and Ayo Edebiri attend The BAFTA Tea Party presented by Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on Jan. 13.Credit: Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for BAFTA
Mayor Sharona Nazarian joined Altamarea Group CEO Ahmass Fakahany and chef PJ Calapa for the fall ribbon cutting of Marea Beverly Hills. The New York coastal seafood brand (beloved by the Obamas and Lady Gaga) opened in L.A. during the wildfires and immediately supported the community.
Nancy Silverton, Billy Harris and Elizabeth Hong attend as LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand presents the 13th Annual Food and Wine Event at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 4, 2025
Credit: Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages
Chef Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and David Lentz’s 13th L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade food benefit raised over $1.3 million for childhood cancer research. While longtime host Jimmy Kimmel didn’t attend, a dinner with him and his wife raised $85,000 in the live auction.
And producer Hilary Shor gathered Katharine McPhee, Tracey Cunningham, Tara Rudes Dann and other powerhouse women at Alba Los Angeles to toast the new fertility tome, The Lucky Egg, from Dr. Lucky Sekhon. Said Sekhon: “Women’s health has been an afterthought for far too long.”
COUPLED UP
Producer Phil Rosenthal’s daughter Lily Rosenthal and her fiancé, chef Mason Royal — both involved in Rosenthal’s upcoming diner, Max & Helen’s — tied the knot at a ceremony attended by some of L.A.’s top culinary talent. Afterward, the couple hosted guests for a brunch/ preview of the anticipated Larchmont spot.
Max and Helen’s founder Phil Rosenthal with daughter Lily Rosenthal and husband Mason RoyalCredit: Irvin Rivera