Oscars weekend in Los Angeles is a time for celebration. Across the city, parties and events are held to celebrate the biggest weekend in film. These parties are a great way for industry peers to come together and enjoy the magic of the movies, whether they star in them, produce them, direct them or write about them. Derek Warburton, media mogul and founder of Gurus Magazine, always throws a festive soiree, and his 2025 Oscars retreat, held on the rooftop of the Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood was no exception. Produced by Rachel Wilson, the festivities took place over two days, where Derek and his Gurus team welcomed celebrity guests, along with media and influencers to a luxurious retreat.
In the wake of tragic fires roaring across Los Angele, destroying thousands of homes, businesses and schools, this retreat was different than most of the entertainment awards gifting retreats. “We felt like the city needed to heal from the wildfires along with the political environment that is affecting our community. But as any Los Angeles citizen knows, at the same time the show must go on. This is why we came with a much different approach this year to our Oscars retreat focusing on feeding our guests’ mind, body, and spirit,” Warburton shared.
Attendees mingled while sipping cocktails made with Lo Siento Tequila and Mezcal33, or enjoying Perform H2O’s cutting-edge water, and danced to live performances by Derek Jameson while building their own flower bouquets, provided by Fleur Valentine LA. An adorable farmers market featuring Oxnard’s Ayala Farms allowed attendees to grab some fresh fruits and vegetables, before getting immune boosting Vitamin B shots and massages from Dr. Michael Newman and South Bay Plastic Surgeons. Santa Monica’s own Laughing Monk as well as Hope the Root Healer offering spiritual rejuvenation and sound bath treatments. Habitat for Humanity was on hand to tell attendees about the incredible work they do and amass more volunteers, something truly in need in the wake of the destruction from the fires. Participants had a chance to decorate a flower pot with messages of hope for Habitat Homeowners, while chatting with local artist, Joey DeRuy while he painted a beautiful work of art.
Guests still walked away with some fabulous goodies, including spices from luxe lifestyle brand The Blonde Italian, owned by Gurus Award Winner Lauren Falcione. At the #gurusbeauty Beauty Bar, the Hollywood Beauty Guru, Robyn Newmark, tailored skincare and beauty needs for every guest, who left with Pixi Beauty’s Hydrating Milky Mist, Dr. Pimple Popper‘s scientifically crafted SLMDS pimple patches, Nicole Miller Lip glosses, Peter Thomas Roth Peeling Gel, Kevin Murphy’s Hair Resort Spray, Saints & Sinners ultimate blowout set, Still Standing Foot Spray, Ohui Reverse Activator Retinol Serum, and of course, select VIPs were gifted the Gurus Award winning product, Skin Wand Pro, along with Newmark Beauty eye creams. Before heading off for other Oscars weekend celebrations, guests got their nails done at Clique the Nail Spot’s pop up nail bar. Additionally, Smart Swimsuits rocked sustainability stylish swimwear poolside, and guests gushed over the gorgeous shoes on display from Italian brand Moon D’Elle.
A Gurus Magazine event would not be complete without a photo studio with celebrity photographer, Josh Fogel, shooting iconic black and white portraits with touch ups by Gurus Beauty Award winner, Joel Sebastian, Bongbong Buan, and Norman Salao. Guests had a moment to get glam and have their Oscar worthy photos taken. The Gurus Oscars Retreat also served as a backdrop for Gurus Award Winner, Mara Dorne’s, podcast tapings for her new podcast, BILF (Boss I’d Like to Follow), where Dorne has unfiltered conversations with influencers and bosses from every walk of life.
Notable event attendees from across the Hollywood landscape included: Nicole Young (Netflix’s Selling Sunset), Davina Potratz (Netflix’s Selling Sunset), Taleen Marie (Real Housewives of Dubai), Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Rachel McCord (Media Personality), Laganja Estranja (RuPaul’s Drag Race), George Wallace (Comedian), Carly Hughes (American Housewife), Kearran Giovanni (Major Crimes), Joely Fisher (SAG-AFTRA Secretary Treasurer), Tricia Leigh Fisher (Actress), Tyler Lofton (Love, Victor), Devon Diep (Bling Empire), Don Benjamin (Actor), Liane V (musician & influencer), SamXFrank (Twitch Streamer), Blanca Blanco (Actress), Miia Harris (Monster High), Jy Prishkulnik (Monster High), as well as royalty from Sierra Leone, Princess Sarah Jane Culbertson, and Norway’s, Shaman Durek Verett, amongst others.
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