On Wednesday, October 25, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA celebrated the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala in Beverly Hills in the presence of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.

Hosted by Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis, the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala marked the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary and continues the legacy of Grace Kelly, who during her lifetime helped emerging artists pursue their artistic careers.

Since its inception, the non-profit, publicly-supported foundation, headquartered in New York City, has awarded €860,000 (over $1 million) annually to up-and-coming talent in theatre, dance, and film by awarding scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships. To date, nearly 800 recipients have been awarded.

The highlight of Wednesday’s Gala was when Prince Albert and Avatar star Sam Worthington presented filmmaker James Cameron with the Prince Rainier III Award for his outstanding contribution to the Arts and his exemplary give-back. This award includes a grant of €21,400 ($25,000) to the philanthropic organisation of the recipient’s choice and a uniquely designed sculpture by artist Alex Soldier.

Filmmaker Jon M. Chu (2001 Princess Grace Award Winner) and New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck (2004 Princess Grace Award Winner) bestowed the 2017 Princess Grace Statue Award – for artists distinguishing themselves in their respective disciplines since receiving their initial Princess Grace Awards – to screenwriter Bridget Carpenter and choreographer Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards

The Princess Grace Award was also presented to 21 rising artists. The audience was treated to a tap dance performance by Princess Grace Award winners Michelle Dorrance and Joseph Wiggan, along with Jason Samuels Smith, and Sara Bareilles closed the evening with a special musical performance of her chart-topping hits Love Song, She Used to Be Mine, and Brave.

Additional attendees included HE Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle, Buzz Aldrin, Khandi Alexander (Scandal), Toby E. Boshak (PGF-USA Executive Director), Linda and Jerry Bruckheimer (Producer), Sharna Burgess (Dancing with the Stars), Sofia Carson (Descendants 2), Karen and Stephen Hillenburg (Creator, SpongeBob SquarePants), Hon. John F. Lehman (PGF-USA Chairman), D. Christopher Le Vine (PGF-USA Board of Trustees), Christopher McDonald (Ballers), Sofia Milos (Sangre Negra), Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight), Bethany Mota (Social Media Personality), Judd Nelson (Billionaire Boys Club), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Wolfgang and Gelila Puck (Host Committee), Sam Trammell (This Is Us), Jon B. Turk, MD (PGF-USA Board of Trustees), Dick Wolf (Creator, Law & Order), Lynn Wyatt (PGF-USA Board of Trustees), and Billy Zane (Legends of Tomorrow).

Article first published October 26, 2017. All photos by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation-USA.

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