The Stars Came Out for the Inaugural Gurus 2024 Awards Hosted by Derek Warburton

A Celebration of Beauty, Wellness, and Lifestyle

The much-anticipated first annual Gurus 2024 Awards, presented by Gurus Magazine and hosted by founder and publisher, Derek Warburton, unfolded in Los Angeles, setting a new standard for celebrations of beauty, wellness, and authentic living. This landmark event honored trailblazers who are reshaping our perceptions of beauty and wellness by prioritizing transparency, passion, and purpose.

Held at the luxurious SLS HOTEL, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, the evening brought together an impressive lineup of distinguished guests and honorees, including Niecy Nash-Betts and her wife Jessica Betts, Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Katie Ginella (Real Housewives of Orange County), Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Shaman Durek Verrett, Shanola Hampton (NBC’s Found), Lisa Vidal (Being Mary Jane), Margie Plus and her husband Harald Austad (MTV West Coast Hustle), Gleb Savchenko (DWTS), and prominent Selling Sunset stars Mary and Romain Bonnet. Each guest embodied the essence of what it means to be a “guru” in their respective fields, from wellness to entertainment, fashion, and philanthropy.

Guests arrived to a black-on-black step-and-repeat press line, providing stunning visual coverage as they made their way through the immersive Parisian-inspired setting reminiscent of Emily in Paris. The evening kicked off with complimentary champagne and a premium open bar, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.

The event featured an array of unique installations and interactive activations that added depth to the evening’s ambiance. Lauren Falcione’s The Blonde Italian installation, Freshy Shoes, led by Scott Willman, with live painting by artist Joey DeRuy, while Deborah Sawaf’s The Power of Words installation invited guests to reflect on the significance of language and expression. The Alexis Project, overseen by Billy Ray Brewton, offered a meaningful look into diversity, equity, and inclusion in health. Plus, Londubh Studio created custom backdrops for the VIP section.

For those wanting a keepsake from the evening, award-winning photographer Josh Fogel set up his Luxury in Style Photo Studio.  Meanwhile, Marley Majcher, also known as The Party Goddess, transported attendees to Paris with a charming street scene complete with a custom bouquet boutique that created floral arrangements for each guest. The Parisian-inspired setup also included a decadent patisserie by Bottega Louie, which perfectly complemented the ambiance. Other standout sponsors included Bentley of Beverly Hills and Golden Eagle Vodka, adding an extra touch of luxury to the night’s festivities.

As part of the evening’s awards presentation, the following honors were celebrated:

• Shanola Hampton (NBC's Found) presented Jennifer Howell (The Art of Elysium) with the Humanitarian Visionary Award.

• Lisa Vidal (Being Mary Jane) presented Nancy Davis (Humanitarian) with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Niecy Nash-Betts (Actress) and Jessica Betts (Recording Artist) presented Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett with an honorary award.

• Katie Ginella (Real Housewives of Orange County) presented Mara Dorne (Speaker) with the Empowerment Trailblazer of the Year Award.

• Gleb Savchenko (Dancing With The Stars) presented Michael Lukacs (Entrepreneur) with the Business Visionary Award.

• Marcel Vigneron (24 in 24: Last Chef Standing) presented Lauren Falcione (Entrepreneur) with Culinary Entrepreneur of the Year.

• Robyn Newmark (Hollywood Beauty Guru) and Kathleen Francesca (Entrepreneur) recapped the Wellness & Beauty Awards.

• Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives of Atlanta) presented Dr. Michael Newman (Plastic Surgeon) with the Innovation in Surgery Award.

• Mary and Romain Bonnet (Selling Sunset) presented Kathleen Francesca (Entrepreneur) with the Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year.

• Nicholas Pritzker (Investor) presented Dr. Astrid Heger (The Alexis Project) with the Health Vanguard of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion award.

• Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper) was presented with the Social Media Star of the Year Award and sent a video acceptance.

• Patrik Simpson and Pol' Atteu (Amazon's Gown & Out) presented Josh Fogel (Photographer) with the Lens of Inclusion Award.

Beauty Awards:

• Best in Hair: Saints & Sinners Haircare

• Best of Clean: Corsica Scents

• Best of Sustainability: True Botanicals

• Best of Skin: AlumierMD

• Best in Tech & Tools: Skin Wand Pro

• Best in Design: Neon Hippie

• Best in the Business: Joel Sebastian

To conclude the unforgettable evening, each guest departed with an exclusive gift bag filled with luxury items from renowned brands including Grande Lash Cosmetics, O Hui, Kevin Murphy, Purlisse, Saints & Sinners, Peter Thomas Roth, Skin Wand Pro, Dr. Groot, Golden Eagle Vodka, Yensa, The Blonde Italian aprons, and Freshy products. These gifts were a fitting tribute to the elegance and quality that the Gurus 2024 Awards embodies.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making our event a success! Executive Producer Rachel Wilson and Producer Kent Burns, your leadership and vision brought everything together seamlessly. Marley Majcher, your expertise in party planning added a touch of magic to the night. The team at the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills provided a stunning setting, and Kent Speakman of KenktTV captured every moment beautifully. To our exceptional Gurus team— publicist Marisa Hebert, Laura Pucker, Tiffany Young, Benjamin Shepard, Andy Orellana, and the Gurus boys, Michael Howell, Louis Ng, Tamalili Campbell, Drew McVey, Jeff Violletta, James Barranca, and Jace Dominique—thank you for your dedication and hard work. Special thanks to our photographers, Dimitri Halkidis and Robin Marshall, for capturing unforgettable memories, and to Jace Dominique for handling our social coverage with flair. DJ Greg Cerrone, your music set the perfect atmosphere. We are deeply grateful to each of you for making this event truly memorable! - Derek Warburton

The Gurus 2024 Awards proved to be more than an event; it was an homage to those who redefine beauty, wellness, and lifestyle through authenticity, passion, and a commitment to living one’s truth. By gathering these industry visionaries, Gurus Magazine created an unforgettable experience that set a high standard for future celebrations.

Photography: Robin Marshall 

For more, visit GurusMagazine.com.