It was a year of firsts for the Unforgettable Gala. From the award categories going international to being broadcast for the first time — the beloved gala saw an unprecedented level of growth.
Presented by Lexus, the premier Asian and Pacific Islander awards ceremony took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Dec. 16, marking the 21st anniversary of the gala. While there was no official theme for the festivities, it was evident that the API community was celebrating the continuous success they found in the arts, entertainment and culture. There is no stopping the rise of API entertainment, and this year’s UNFO followed suit. The awards ceremony was broadcast for the first time ever on the AAPI-focused entertainment television network ChimeTV with reruns airing on the channel after its premiere date Dec. 18. The program is also be available on demand on ChimeTV+ and Golden TV for further viewing. The gala itself, could not have been possible without the help of our generous sponsors: Lexus, Joseon Empire, Society 1, Pechanga Resort Casino, Amazon MGM Studios, Genesis One Foundation, D’USSÉ, Laurel Glen Vineyard, Apple TV+, and Netflix. This was also the first time UNFO expanded to include two international award winners with the help from AsiaLab, an entertainment and production company.
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Auli’i Cravalho posing on the red carpet. (Photo by Sthanlee Mirador.) -
Jamine Chung on the UNFO red carpet. (Photo by Sthanlee Mirador.) -
Eugene Lee Yang posing on the red carpet. (Photo by Sthanlee Mirador.)
As over 700 guests arrived at the Beverly Hilton, API stars such as Auli’i Cravalho, Eugene Lee Yang and Jamie Chung graced the red carpet before heading inside for the ceremony. Attendees made their way into the ballroom, where they were treated to a three-course dinner and, of course, beverages from D’usse and Laurel Glen — which were the perfect accompaniments to cheer on all the successes the community achieved this year. While…
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