Inside GBK’s 2025 Critics’ Choice & Grammy Fire Relief Lounge: A-List Luxury Meets Philanthropy at the Beverly Wilshire
As Hollywood’s awards season hits its peak, the stars aligned at the Regent Beverly Wilshire for GBK Brand Bar’s VIP 2025 Critics’ Choice & Grammy Fire Relief Lounge, a dazzling convergence of luxury and philanthropy. Held in support of Bodywell and MEND, the highly anticipated event brought together the biggest names in music, film, and television for a weekend of indulgence — all with a purpose.
From Grammy-winning icons to Critics’ Choice contenders, the exclusive lounge was the ultimate pre-awards retreat, where talent and tastemakers were showered with high-end gifts while raising awareness for wildfire relief efforts. Guests, including chart-topping artists, Oscar hopefuls, and industry heavyweights, made their way through a curated selection of premier brands, all set against the backdrop of the Beverly Wilshire’s legendary elegance.
A Five-Star Gifting Experience
GBK Brand Bar, known for crafting the most sought-after gifting suites in Hollywood, did not disappoint. This year’s lounge featured a lavish array of luxury goods and wellness experiences, ranging from designer fashion and skincare to bespoke travel escapes. Attendees were treated to exclusive offerings from brands such as Bodywell, a leader in holistic health innovations, and MEND, known for its science-backed wellness solutions — a fitting synergy for an event focused on restoration and resilience. My favorite is Imbibe Lifestyles, with a range of innovative pillows designed for restorative sleep!
Celebrity Sightings & Star Power
The guest list read like an awards-show roll call, with Grammy nominees, Critics’ Choice honorees, and Hollywood’s elite making appearances. Red-carpet regulars, including some of the music industry’s most talked-about names, mingled with VIPs while discovering cutting-edge wellness products, statement accessories, and high-end travel experiences.
Among the most buzzed-about highlights: a luxury retreat giveaway, allowing lucky recipients to escape to five-star destinations, and an exclusive showcase of innovative self-care solutions from the event’s title sponsors.
This year’s Critics’ Choice & Grammy Awards Lounge, where the invited guests received over $60,000 in gifts and trips, was host to some of the biggest names in music, film, and television. Celebrity guests arrived in style to enjoy the festivities, recieve and “give back.” From Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Casey Affleck, Mekhi Phifer, Katja Herbers, Adina Porter, Jai Rodriguez, Cat Cora, Daniel Booko, James Jordan, Ian Bohan, Jackie Tohn, Greg Shun, Edwin Lee Gibson, Breken Merrill, Eloise Mumford, Nefessa Williams, Patrick Cage, Monet X Change, Katy Sullivan, Patrick Gallagher, Leah Lewis, and more. The Lounge was also a host to multiple Grammy Nominees & Winners including Maxine Ashley, J. Brown, Darius Dixson, the band Gorjira, Jean & Marcus Baylor, Ricky Dillard, Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, Jordan Adetunji, Durand Burnarr, Cyrille Aimee, Ricky Bell & Johnny Gill of New Edition, and many more.
Luxury with a Purpose
While indulgence was at the forefront, the heart of the event lay in its philanthropic mission. With California’s wildfire crisis continuing to impact communities, GBK Brand Bar leveraged its platform to support relief efforts, raising significant funds for Bodywell and MEND initiatives. Stars weren’t just receiving — they were giving back, using their influence to drive awareness and donations.
Celebs were eager to be on hand to participate in Americares emergency gift bags for the WildFire Relief victims. As a health-focused relief and development organization that helps people and communities around the world access health in times of disaster and every day. This year Americares was there for the LA area fire victims, while it’s outreach expands to over 85 countries on average, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies and emergency aid. Americares is one of the world’s leading nonprofit providers of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org
Several brands participating in the traditional Gifting Lounge will also be donating products and/or funds directly to Americares wildfire relief efforts. For example, Rest®, the award-winning bedding brand has pledged $100,000 worth of bedding products to support better sleep and overall health for survivors. In addition, GBK Brand Bar is contributing space and resources for all of the “Giving Lounges,” and has aligned with Crew Nation (of Live Nation), to assist these efforts.
Critics’ Choice & Grammy Awards Lounge
This is hotspot where the invited guests received over $60,000 in gifts and trips, was host to some of the biggest names in music, film, and television. Attendees included recognizable stars such as Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Casey Affleck, Mekhi Phifer, Katja Herbers, Adina Porter, Jai Rodriguez, Cat Cora, Daniel Booko, James Jordan, Ian Bohan, Jackie Tohn, Greg Shun, Edwin Lee Gibson, Breken Merrill, Eloise Mumford, Nefessa Williams, Patrick Cage, Monet X Change, Katy Sullivan, Patrick Gallagher, Leah Lewis, and more. The Lounge was also a host to multiple Grammy Nominees & Winners including Maxine Ashley, J. Brown, Darius Dixson, the band Gorjira, Jean & Marcus Baylor, Ricky Dillard, Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, Jordan Adetunji, Durand Burnarr, Cyrille Aimee, Ricky Bell & Johnny Gill of New Edition, and many more.
The guests at the lounge were excited to receive gifts from Bodywell, a pioneering American biotech company dedicated to enhancing well-being through cutting-edge technology whose solutions are designed to interact with the body, helping mitigate the potential effects of electromagnetic radiation without interfering with the functionality of the devices or the connectivity they provide. MEND was gifting their luxury skin care that harnesses the power of stem cells and gold nanoparticles to transcend the boundaries of traditional skincare. Neurovalens, a global leader in wearable neurotechnology, dedicated to improving lives through innovative, drug-free solutions for health and wellness, was gifting their flagship product, Modius Sleep, a non-invasive headset designed to enhance sleep quality by targeting the brain’s sleep centers, offering a revolutionary approach for those seeking better rest without medication. 5TH WHEEL, a subsidiary of INVANTI, was gifting eco-friendly electric scooters and e-bikes focused on safety, sustainability, and comfort. Guests were thrilled with gifts from SingleTree Lane which is a fashion brand that blends global aesthetics, cultural diversity, and inclusive design into unique, eye-catching garments. Known for pushing the boundaries of wearable art, the brand reflects a commitment to creativity and innovation in the fashion industry. Koulianos Designs was gifting sterling silver custom crafted jewelry, inspired by antique Coat of Arms and family crests.
There were other outstanding offerings such as trips by Sailrock Resort to Turks & Caicos. This resort is in an exquisite setting with turquoise water, world-class dining, regenerative spa treatments, and a variety of luxe experiences. Another fantastic retreat is to a truly a dream-like escape to a luxurious, lush, and beautiful world class setting 2 night’s stay for 4 adults at Raiwasa in Fiji, a two-time winning “World Boutique Hotel Awards” property. Locally, the ‘Stay and Play’ at the historic La Casa del Camino hotel in Laguna Beach featuring newly refreshed Spanish-style guest rooms with hand-carved furnishings and new amenities, a chill three-bedroom California beach bungalow, stylish surf rooms and the iconic rooftop bar.
Clothing by fashion designers, Claude Kameni and Shari Henry, Luenell Iconic perfume by Arzo, and lip treatments by Pretty Pout, which include lip balm butters, lip balm sticks, and fabulous spicy plumping lip oils. Delicious food and beverages curated by Vuelo Tequila, Hertelendy Vineyards wines, Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, and a gorgeous candy bar by Cocoa and Candy. A unique offering is the award-winning bedding products including cooling sheet sets and pillowcases by Rest, candles by Lumiere Rene Candle Company, and the orthopedically designed pillow by Imbibe Lifestyles which is infused with copper, silver and coolant gel guaranteed to give the best sleep ever! Action Takers Publishing was offering the opportunity for the celebrities to have their personal story ghostwritten and published. Rock Dog Canine Adjustments gifted in home dog training sessions. Music at the event was provided by DJ Bri Giger and flowers were provided by SIMS Blooms.
Final Takeaway
In true GBK fashion, the 2025 Critics’ Choice & Grammy Fire Relief Lounge was equal parts glamour and goodwill, proving that luxury and social responsibility can go hand in hand. As awards season continues, this event set the bar for how Hollywood’s biggest names can celebrate in style — while making a meaningful impact.
“I have been bringing amazing talent and brands together for over 20 years, and while we have always had a charity angle woven into our gifting events, this is the first time we are dedicating an entire award season to a single organization, Americares, in support of such a meaningful cause,” says Gavin Keilly, CEO of GBK Brand Bar. “In true Hollywood fashion, LA has united in an incredible way to help those impacted by the wildfires, with the music and entertainment industries stepping up alongside communities across the country.”
