Madonna makes a surprise appearance at the 2021 amfAR Gala in LA and takes the stage to honor pal Jeremy Scott in an emotional speech
Madonna made an unexpected appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday night to support a cause she's very passionate about.
The 63-year-old icon took the stage at the 2021 amfAR Gala, to the delight of the crowd, and honored her friend Jeremy Scott with a moving speech.
Alessandra Ambrosio, Meg Ryan, Addison Rae, Paris Jackson, Camila Mendes and Jenna Dewan were just a few of the famous faces who stepped out for the swanky event to raise money to eradicate AIDS.
![Legend: Madonna made an unexpected appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday night at the 2021 amfAR Gala, to the delight of the crowd, and honored her friend Jeremy Scott with a moving speech](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113445-10170111-image-a-30_1636132450136.jpg)
Legend: Madonna made an unexpected appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday night at the 2021 amfAR Gala, to the delight of the crowd, and honored her friend Jeremy Scott with a moving speech
Madonna stepped up to the podium at the event rocking her platinum hair with a center part in long, teased waves.
She dressed in a funky 80s inspired look with black bootie and a flouncy printed dress with a tulle overlay - reminiscent of some of her most iconic fashion looks from more than 30 years ago.
Madge thanked the crowd for their help 'raising money and awareness for a disease that should have been obliterated decades ago.'
The star honored her friend Jeremy Scott in the 15-minute speech. He then took the stage in a fun printed suit and embraced the Material Girl singer for a lingering and emotional hug.
![Madge thanked the crowd for their help 'raising money and awareness for a disease that should have been obliterated decades ago.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113439-10170111-image-m-28_1636132431022.jpg)
![Madge thanked the crowd for their help 'raising money and awareness for a disease that should have been obliterated decades ago.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113427-10170111-image-a-29_1636132443838.jpg)
Madge thanked the crowd for their help 'raising money and awareness for a disease that should have been obliterated decades ago.'
Scott, a designer and Moschino creative director was recognized at the event for helping to end the stigma around AIDS/HIV. The social media platform TikTok was also honored.
Addison Rae was chosen to accept TikTok's honor, being that she is one of the platform's biggest stars to date.
Dozens of stars stepped out for this year's charity event which was held in West Hollywood at the Pacific Design Center.
The annual amfAR Gala is aimed at raising funds for AIDS research, prevention, education, and the advocacy of AIDS-related public policy. This year the soiree brought in over a million dollars.
![Supportive: The star honored her friend Jeremy Scott in the 15-minute speech. He then took the stage in a fun printed suit and embraced the Material Girl singer for a lingering and emotional hug](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113435-10170111-image-a-21_1636132374627.jpg)
Supportive: The star honored her friend Jeremy Scott in the 15-minute speech. He then took the stage in a fun printed suit and embraced the Material Girl singer for a lingering and emotional hug
![2021: Scott, a designer and Moschino creative director was recognized at the event for helping to end the stigma around AIDS/HIV. The social media platform TikTok was also honored](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113431-10170111-2021_Scott_a_designer_and_Moschino_creative_director_was_recogni-a-18_1636134469387.jpg)
2021: Scott, a designer and Moschino creative director was recognized at the event for helping to end the stigma around AIDS/HIV. The social media platform TikTok was also honored
Before the gala kicked off, Hollywood heavy hitters took to the red carpet in several head turning looks.
Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio, 40, looked like she stepped off the runway in a stunning mesh gown doused with jewels from the shoulders to the hem.
Camila Mendes dazzled in a plunging purple sequin gown that hugged her every curve. The 27-year-old Riverdale actress wore her raven hair in a sleek bun and accessorized with a pair of studded earrings.
The eleventh amfAR Gala returned to being an in-person occasion after being forced to cancel last year's due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![An honor: Addison Rae was chosen to accept TikTok's honor, being that she is one of the platform's biggest stars to date](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113175-10170111-image-a-12_1636132293441.jpg)
An honor: Addison Rae was chosen to accept TikTok's honor, being that she is one of the platform's biggest stars to date
Event holders promised that the eleventh annual Gala would be 'be another unforgettable, safe, and spectacular evening' for all in attendance.
'The black-tie event will feature a socially-distanced cocktail reception, dinner, live auction, and special performances,' read an official press release.
Shot by Steven Klein, the duo also made the decision to add details that seemed to be a direct acknowledgement of Monroe's death as Madonna was seen lying face down surrounded by pill bottles.
![Star power: Alessandra Ambrosio, Meg Ryan, Addison Rae, Paris Jackson, Camila Mendes and Jenna Dewan were just a few of the famous faces who stepped out for the swanky event to raise money to eradicate AIDS](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113189-10170111-Star_power_Alessandra_Ambrosio_Meg_Ryan_Addison_Rae_Paris_Jackso-a-19_1636134469390.jpg)
![Star power: Alessandra Ambrosio, Meg Ryan, Addison Rae, Paris Jackson, Camila Mendes and Jenna Dewan were just a few of the famous faces who stepped out for the swanky event to raise money to eradicate AIDS](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113191-10170111-image-a-11_1636132287340.jpg)
Star power: Alessandra Ambrosio, Meg Ryan, Addison Rae, Paris Jackson, Camila Mendes and Jenna Dewan were just a few of the famous faces who stepped out for the swanky event to raise money to eradicate AIDS (Mendes and Ambrosio pictured)
The Hollywood icon's death was ruled an overdose and a coroner pronounced 'probable suicide.'
Twitter lit up with reactions to Madonna's shoot — which many called in tasteless— as one user wrote called it 'gross and inappropriate.' Another quipped: 'For some morbid and eerie reason, Madonna decides to recreate Marilyn Monroe’s death bed.'
Klein said in a press release defending the images 'We were not interested in recreating the images exactly but more importantly, we wanted to explore the relationship between photographer and subject.'
He continued to say that Madonna 'was really taken by the incandescent fragility of Marilyn at that moment in her life.'
![Queen of controversy: Meanwhile, Madonna recently came under fire for recreating Marilyn Monroe's last photoshoot called The Last Sitting, with some 'morbid' images showing a recreation of the late actress' death for a V Magazine spread](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/11/05/17/50113323-10170111-image-a-8_1636132270863.jpg)
Queen of controversy: Meanwhile, Madonna recently came under fire for recreating Marilyn Monroe's last photoshoot called The Last Sitting, with some 'morbid' images showing a recreation of the late actress' death for a V Magazine spread
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