In a dazzling display of drag, star power, and community, Lead with Love: LA Strong, KTLA’s Pride Month fundraising special, raised $721,622 for Project Angel Food during a live telethon held June 28. Hosted by a constellation of LGBTQ+ celebrities and allies, the event landed with a splash – centered around drag icon Bianca Del Rio, whose lightning-fast quips fueled record-breaking pledges for the critically ill Angelenos whom the charity supports.
Presented by City National Bank, the three-time Emmy-nominated installment of Lead with Love fused vibrant performances and heartfelt storytelling. But it was Del Rio – dubbed “Hurricane Bianca” by actor Eric McCormack of Will & Grace – who truly stole the show. From her perch behind the All-Star Phone Bank, she ignited the phone lines with sassy banter and show-stopping energy.
“Grab whatever you can write with—eyeliner, Sharpie, your ex’s forehead—and dial like your parole depends on it!” Bianca urged. Her playful jibes – like teasing Luenell, “phones are ringing faster than Luenell chasing a two-for-one margarita” – literally doubled the night’s donor volume compared to last year’s telethon.
A Star-Studded Celebration of Care and Community
Joining Del Rio alongside McCormack were co-hosts Jessica Holmes and comedian Loni Love. Among the volunteer callers were openly gay actors Tim Bagley, Michael Hitchcock, Gregory and Lawrence Zarian, and Will & Grace alums Cheyenne Jackson and Matt Bomer, joined by performers Nathan Lee Graham, Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying, and musical director Michael Orland.
Musical performances infused the evening with emotion and vigour. Jackson’s soulful interpretation of “Feeling Good” set the tone, followed by Jennifer Holliday’s stirring rendition of “And I Am Telling You.” Pop sensation and volunteer Em Beihold sang Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” to rousing applause. Later, Hoying and Loren Allred delivered a moving medley of “Arms of an Angel” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” accompanied by Orland’s elegant five-piece band.
From Kitchens to Catwalks: Reach Across L.A. County
Lead with Love didn’t just entertain—it educated. The broadcast showcased Project Angel Food’s vital services across Los Angeles County. Ann-Margret spotlighted efforts in Antelope Valley; Edward James Olmos featured East L.A.; Lori Loughlin shared her volunteer work in Burbank/San Fernando Valley; Steven Weber contributed from Culver City; and Em Beihold highlighted South L.A.
International pop icon Annie Lennox and AIDS activist Mary Fisher both prepared meals in the charity’s Lincoln Heights satellite kitchen. Cameron Mathison revisited Altadena, where he detailed how the organization assisted fire-devastated households – including client Orna and her niece Aria, who shared their heartfelt thanks.
A highlight reel of celebrity messages included powerful statements from Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Kimmel, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jack Black, Bomer, and Graham. In her taped segment, Streisand added weight to the conversation about federal HIV/AIDS funding, urging viewers to “lead with love… ensuring everyone living with HIV/ AIDS knows we are with them.”
From Donation to Dedication
One of the evening’s moving moments involved Jamie Lee Curtis, chair of the “Rise to the Challenge” campaign, touring the new Project Angel Food kitchen. CEO Richard Ayoub dedicated the volunteer orientation room in her honor. Diana Rodriguez of City National Bank also presented a generous $100,000 check on live TV.
Funding the Future
Project Angel Food, founded in 1989, provides medically tailored meals and compassionate care to chronically and terminally ill individuals throughout Los Angeles County. Annually, the organization delivers more than 1.5 million meals to over 6,200 clients and has distributed 19 million meals to date. The new Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Campus is under construction to double future meal capacity. The charity maintains a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, with 89 cents of every dollar directly supporting meals.
Impact Beyond the Broadcast
Executive producer Brad Bessey – who has earned Emmys and GLAAD recognition – praised Del Rio’s performance, calling her “exactly what we needed to energize this night of giving.” He acknowledged the presence of legendary icons like Ann-Margret, Jennifer Holliday, Annie Lennox, and Barbra Streisand, whose participation underscored the special’s heartfelt resonance.
CEO Richard Ayoub echoed this sentiment: “In our six-year history, no show has embodied Project Angel Food’s mission of delivering hope, healing, and unwavering support more profoundly.”
Donations remain open at angelfood.org/lovela, ensuring that the momentum sparked by the telethon continues to fuel vital services.
Sponsors fueling the cause included City National Bank, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Herb Ritts Foundation, Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, and Ralphs/Food4Less Foundation.
About Lead with Love
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lead with Love has become one of Los Angeles’ most uplifting televised events. With nearly six million dollars raised over six years, the special has featured over 200 celebrity appearances, including Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Magic Johnson, and Ringo Starr.
About Project Angel Food
Project Angel Food exists to nourish both the body and spirit of vulnerable people facing critical and life-threatening illnesses with love, care, and dignity. As need continues to grow, so does the charity’s commitment to serving every corner of Los Angeles County.
For more information or to donate, visit angelfood.org.
