buzzz worthy. . .
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| Holly's custom-made birthday cake by the Cake Divas |
Actress, Author, Talk Show Host, Activist and Philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete celebrated her 50th birthday with family and a host of celebrity friends at an exclusive party, "Gratefully 50," on Saturday, September 20th. The celebration was held at the stunning Malibu oceanfront estate of her longtime friend, Kym Gold, co-founder of True Religion Brand Jeans.
Holly's husband of 20 years, sports broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, surprised her with a video tribute featuring taped birthday well-wishes from friends Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Longoria, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, Wendy Williams, Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, the hosts of ESPN's "First Take" and "Numbers Never Lie,"among others. Rodney also presented Holly with the keys to a very special gift, a brand-new black Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan, and gleefully announced to his wife, "No more minivans, baby!"
Holly's favorite musical group, award-winning R&B divas En Vogue (featuring Holly's best friend Terry Ellis), performed a string of their popular hits. They brought Holly onstage to sing "Who's Lovin' You," the acapella prelude to their breakout hit, "Hold On," and led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to the guest of honor. Holly's custom-made birthday cake by the Cake Divas was presented by her dear friends and sports Hall of Famers, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Marcus Allen. Guests partied the night away on the dance floor to music spun by Holly's brother, DJ Matt Robinson.
"For my 50th birthday party, I told my event producer I really wanted 'moments of gratitude,' and boy did he create them! Too many to count but singing with En Vogue, my kids' personal tribute and Oprah's personal message to me about my 50's - she said, 'Everything you were meant to be happens in this decade...' - were just a few moments that stood out. It was just an incredible night of love, friendship and a celebration of service," rejoices Holly Robinson Peete.
Among the celebrity guests in attendance were Alan Thicke, Boris Kodjoe, David Charvet and Brooke Burke Charvet, Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, Jackee Harry, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, James Lesure, California State Attorney General Kamala Harris, Kym Whitley, Laila Ali, Leah Remini, Leeza Gibbons, Lela Rochon Fuqua, LisaRaye McCoy, LL Cool J, Regina King, Shaun Robinson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Star Jones, Tracey Edmonds, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Vanessa Williams, and Yvette Nicole Brown.
The momentous occasion was produced by William P. Miller of W.P. Miller Special Events. Supporters included AARP, Smirnoff, and Hint Water. As a special parting gift from Holly, guests received a Gratefully 50 commemorative journal featuring some of her favorite personal photos and quotes about life, family, love, faith, service and friendship.
In honor of her big day and in lieu of gifts, Holly's guests were asked to make a donation to her non-profit organization, the HollyRod Foundation,which is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism and Parkinson's disease. For more information, please visitwww.hollyrod.org.
Holly celebrates with her beautiful family (L-R): mother Dolores Robinson, twins Ryan Elizabeth and Rodney Jr., sons Robinson and Roman, and husband Rodney Peete
Holly is presented with her AARP card by Edna Kane-Williams of AARP and husband Rodney
(L-R): Lauren Hunter, Marcus Allen, Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson
(L-R): Rodney Peete, Magic Johnson and Marcus Allen present Holly with her birthday cake
En Vogue performs their hits for Holly and the party guests
Holly sings with En Vogue!
Click on the photo above to see video of Access Hollywood's coverage of the party