Interview With Leeza Gibbons

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Q&A With Leeza Gibbons

From: Lauren Barth 355 days 21 hours 46 minutes ago

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Leeza Gibbons is inspiring change. She’s an agent of advocacy. And a party girl with purpose. And now she’s celebrating charity during one of Hollywood’s hottest, most-prestigious events, the Academy Awards. Why not honor philanthropy on the same evening we celebrate the silver screen? The glamorous, feel-good affair will take place at Beverly Hills hot spot Mr. Chow. And Gibbons is expecting big stars with huge hearts. Glam chatted with the lovely host about her fabulous party plans, altruistic efforts, and more.

Tell me a little bit about the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.
This is my passion. It feels amazing to know that I was able to be of service to so many families that are dealing with the frustration and psychological trauma of losing a loved one. When my mother had Alzheimer’s, she said, “Honey, this is now a part of your story. You need to tell it. It will help other people.” My grandmother died of Alzheimer’s, and my mother died in May of Alzheimer’s after 10 years of death in slow motion. And so we created what we wish we had at the time through the Memory Foundation.

We created Leeza’s Place, which is our signature program. It offers free services and support for loved ones with any chronic illness or disease. It’s not just about the person who’s diagnosed. It’s also about the ones who love them. The family faces frustration, isolation, and hopelessness. We know that caregivers can suffer because of stress-related disorders. So our goal is that no caregiver should ever be alone. And as the foundation relates strictly to memory loss, our message is that those who are forgetting should not be forgotten.

How did this Oscar-night “Party With a Purpose” event come to fruition?
What a cool event. Olivia Newton John invited me to walk the Great Wall of China with her last summer. It was to raise money and awareness for her cancer-and-wellness initiative. And while I was doing this with her, we were reminded of how like-minded we are. We’ve always admired each other’s way of being in the world. And I thought, Well, if we’re going to have a party on Oscar night, let’s make the party have a purpose. And so I invited Olivia to join me. We decided that in addition to raising money and awareness for our foundations, we wanted to take advantage of the emotional availability of our country right now. People are ready not only for change but to change. They know that they are personally responsible for being a part of that change.

We wanted to say while the stars are celebrating at the Academy Awards and while we’re honoring those celebrities and movies that move our emotions, let’s also honor those celebrities that make a difference in the world. Let’s inspire our audience through our live webcast. Let’s inspire our audience to find a way to get connected in their own lives—to find a way to make a change in themselves and the world. We know that celebrities are big change agents in society. Hollywood has a huge heart. The entertainment industry has always led by example when it comes to getting involved in advocacy and volunteerism. We decided to have celebrity ambassadors of change. They’d give us their stories of giving back—they would tell us their examples of philanthropy and volunteering. By hearing those stories we would then all be encouraged to get online, get involved in our communities, and ask ourselves, What do I have to give? It’s about giving your intention, your smile, and a helping hand. Maybe you’re not Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey—you’re not going to write a check for $20 million, but maybe you can write a check for $20. Or you can volunteer for a couple of hours. To me that’s how we change the world.

Tell me about what the evening has in store.
It’s very exciting because David Foster, our partner, is bringing his newest protégé Charice. She’s like Whitney Houston times 10. She’s amazing. She’s going to be performing … I just got off the phone with Teri Hatcher, who will be there talking about her message of change. Hillary Duff and Ashley Tisdale are coming to talk about their charity, Blessings in a Backpack. Slash is coming to talk about his philanthropy. Larry King. Tony Hawk. We wanted to take stars from film, TV, music, fashion, and sports.

This is a chance for all of us to come together and lift one another. We’ll be doing an Oscar screening with commentary. We will be offering insight. And then throughout the night we’re going to be looking at the flair, fashion, and fun of Oscar night … Ken Paves will be doing a lot of commentary. We’re going to try to inspire and pass along the tips, tricks, and secrets.

Speaking of the glitz and glamour, what will you be wearing?
Well, I have spoken with one of my real mentors in advocacy, who also happens to be a best-selling author and a couture designer who also sells at the QVC level—Bradley Baylou. Bradley is going to do something for me. We want to be carbon-neutral at our event. We want to be mindful. We’re planting a tree for every guest who comes so we can erase their carbon imprint. So I thought, ‘Do I really want to have a new dress made? Or can I ask Bradley to arrange to have something that’s almost recycled?’ I want Bradley to take some of what he’s done for other stars and let me wear some of that magic. Let’s recycle some of the glamour! That’s my goal for the night—so it’s a work in progress on that one.

The event is at Mr. Chow, a Hollywood hot spot. Give me a little dish on the dishes. What will they be serving at the celeb-favorite restaurant?
Well, on Oscar night we will be doing the “noodle show.” And it’s one of my favorite things. I love that you don’t have to think about the menu. You just open up your palette, and it is an insane assault on your gastronomical senses—it’s so good. It’s just so good. I love the vibe at Mr. Chow. I love that you have stars of an iconic nature sitting right next to hip-hop artists. It feels more family-style. And that’s what our party is going to feel like. We’re doing a full 10-course traditional Mr. Chow dinner. I know that everyone will leave the party knowing they’ve been well fed and well entertained.

How are you feeling about the event? Are you excited, nervous …?
I’m kind of giddy. I’m like, “We’re really making this happen!” And to do it with my buddy Olivia. It’s really fun. Olivia has been an inspiration for so many women, and she has fought so hard for her happiness and for her health—she has this serenity about her now. And I would panic and say, “Olivia, I don’t know how this isn’t going to happen …” And she’d say, “We’re feeling it with our love and light and intention.” She’s right. She’s like my Zen master.

I know you’re busy concentrating on your event, but it is Oscar night. What stars and movies are you rooting for?
Slumdog, Slumdog, Slumdog. That Danny Boyle can do no wrong. He’s coming to our party, by the way. We’re very excited about that. I’m really cheering for that movie. I think it’s unstoppable. I also spent time in India with my daughter and my sister, and the three of us fell in love with that energy that the film managed to capture—that spirit of hopefulness despite apparent challenge. That’s my hands-down favorite. I would love to see Kate Winslet continue her winning streak as well.

Why do you love Oscar night?
This is a night that belongs to everyone who loves movies. And the reason we love movies is we love the fashion. We love the styling, the cinematography—but mostly we love them because they make us think and feel something. It makes us challenge something. And that’s what our whole night is about.