On June 1, Gurus Magazine launched its first annual #30Voices30Days initiative, marking the commencement of Pride Month with unparalleled enthusiasm. This groundbreaking endeavor unfolded with the unveiling of 30 distinct covers, each dedicated to honoring the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
“This initiative came together exactly the way it should. My community reached out to their community, and so on and so forth. That’s why it was so personal. Friends and friends of friends were making calls, encouraging participation; then it just started to roll, and it all came together. Five people turned into 15 quickly, then boom,” Derek Warburton told Hollywood First Look about how things unfolded.
To ignite this momentous occasion, Gurus orchestrated a VIP daytime Pride Wellness Retreat at the elegant Element Lounge of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood. Curated by the visionary founder and publisher Derek Warburton, the retreat was a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation in collaboration with producer Rachel Wilson. Esteemed guests included luminaries like Emmy Award winner Niecy Nash and her wife, recording artist Jessica Betts. The pair came to celebrate Betts’ Gurus cover.
During the day, Drag Race star Laganja Estranja indulged in a hydrafacial and massage by South Bay Plastic Surgeons, while Dancing With The Stars‘ Gleb Savchenko embraced wellness with a B12 shot from R3 Anti Aging Medspa Beverly Hills. FilmCraft LA provided director’s chairs for makeovers compliments of Gensee Beauty and blowouts by the Kevin Murphy Hair team. LA. Freshy gifted a pair of shoes to each of the covers, and VIPS were given a free pair of Slides, while True Notions handed out specialty gifts to all who attended.
Other gifts included Lip Nourishment from Purlisse, skincare by Peter Thomas Roth, Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin, Anna Nicole Smith: Portrait of an Icon books, Equals Human Custom Tees, and more. El Cristiano provided complimentary spirits while Godfrey Hotel’s restaurant ALK, About Last Knife, served up a high tea service. Additional daytime guests included the host of Drag Race Mexico, Valentina, Cynthia Bailey (RHOA), and actress Joely Fisher.
“The day event was created as a thank you to our talent and as a way for everyone to get to know each other who didn’t before. It was so relaxing and beautiful, and everyone had fun. Even my puppy Ollie got to play and say hi. It was all so sweet,” Warburton shared about the event.
As the sun set, the revelry transitioned to the Cover Launch Party, held atop the I|O Rooftop at the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood. A constellation of stars graced the Pink Carpet, including returning guests Niecy Nash, Jessica Betts, Cynthia Bailey, Laganja Estranja, Valentina, Gleb Savchenko, and SAG-AFTRA secretary-treasurer Joely Fisher.
Additional attendees included Patricia Arquette (actress), Aubrey O’Day (media personality), Sutton Stracke (RHOBH), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Tara Reid (American Pie), Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary), Jonathon Schaech (Blue Ridge), Frankie Grande (Broadway), James Charles (Influencer), Camille Meyer (RHOBH), Brian Justin Crum (recording artist), Ronen Rubinstein (actor), and Anthony Allen Ramos (GLAAD), among others.
All 30 covers adorned the venue, casting a vibrant display of inclusivity. Guests reveled in the Poolside Pride Party Lounge designed by Amber Walker Events and explored the Pride Bazaar. Displays featured luxury jewelry from Todd Sensoli Jewelry, energy bracelets from Larson Arts LA, and psilocybin mushrooms from Muse. Author Randy Scobey signed copies of his autobiography WHY: A Memoir, The Blonde Italian served up rainbow pasta with her superb sauces and spices, and recording artist YellaCatt displayed merchandise direct from her tour. YellaCatt was on site to close out the night with two songs and revealed the BTS of her latest video on the side of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood.
During the event, Scobey took a moment to speak with Hollywood First Look, detailing his journey with conversion therapy and how he has been able to galvanize a movement, shutting it down wherever it exists. The author credits the late Anne Heche and Warburton for playing an instrumental part in getting his book published.
After the Pink Carpet extravaganza, Gary Thomas Entertainment captivated the audience with his cabaret show, WHISKEY. Not to be outshone, Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts took to the stage for an impromptu rendition of their latest single, “Pride.”
Anthony Allen Ramos, Vice President of Communications & Talent at GLAAD, delivered a poignant speech underscoring the significance of amplifying diverse voices before introducing the esteemed Derek Warburton to the stage, hailed as a “legend” for his transformative impact. During the event, celebrity fashion photographer Josh Fogel shot over 5,000 frames of the attendees in Gurus’ “Out Loud & In Color” Floating Garden Photo Studio.
“The legacy of this project is the real dream. It’s not just this year, it’s three, five, 10 years from now… 90, 150, 300 influential voices living in their truth, passion and authenticity, sharing their stories with our audiences. It’s beautiful and needed,” said Warburton.
As the event drew to a close, every guest departed with smiles, clutching Peter Thomas Roth gift bags and bottles of Hpnotiq, a token of appreciation for their presence.
Patricia Arquette spoke to Hollywood First Look about the occasion. “They put on this beautiful party, and I love that they’re supporting GLAAD. When I grew up, there weren’t magazines like this. Even if there was somebody you thought might be gay in a magazine, it wasn’t really talked about so much or celebrated. So, It’s a beautiful time to be able to have these glamorous magazines. It can highlight people in the LGBTQ community and their allies coming together. This is the real world. The world we want. And we don’t want it politically to be taken away from us,” said the Academy Award winner.
With its diverse array of talent and inclusive spirit, #30Voices30Days has set a new standard for Pride festivities, ushering in a journey towards a more inclusive and accepting world.
