Sheryl Lee Ralph on Women of Color Contracting HIV

Mar 17, 2026 12:56pm PT Sheryl Lee Ralph on the ‘Uptick’ in Women of Color Contracting HIV: ‘It Is Something That Needs to Be Paid Attention to’ The 'Abbott Elementary' star attended Elton John's annual Oscar viewing party on Sunday By Rance Collins Plus Icon Rance Collins Latest Pamela Anderson Teases Role in Michael Cera’s Absurdist Comedy ‘Love Is Not the Answer’: ‘I Got to Play a Really Interesting Woman’ 2 months ago Jamie Lee Curtis Celebrates Election Day Democratic Sweep: ‘The Repudiation of the Authoritative Regime’ 4 months ago Mia Goth on Starring in ‘Frankenstein’: ‘I’ve Never Been So Scared Stepping Into a Movie’ 5 months ago See All Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation For more than 40 years, Sheryl Lee Ralph has been on the frontlines helping raise funds and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She continued that work Sunday night as a guest at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party. “I’m here because, believe it or not, HIV and AIDS is not a dead issue in America right now,” Ralph, a producer on Zeberiah Newman’s “Unexpected” documentary anthology about Black women living with HIV, told Variety on the red carpet. “It is spreading. We are still seeing upticks across the south, especially in women of color, and it is something that needs to be paid attention to. And also, I think about the fact that as we spread awareness, so many women have no idea that PrEP is also for them. It’s not just for men. So there’s so many reasons to be here at the Elton John event as we continue to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.” The annual viewing party, which was hosted by John and his husband David Furnish along with Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka and took place in West Hollywood Park, netted $10.6 million for EJAF. Popular on Variety “The Academy Awards Viewing Party reflects why we started this foundation 34 years ago: to honor the friends we lost and advocate for the people still vulnerable,” John said in a statement following the gala. “Every year we come together, and every year artists like Lola Young make the night unforgettable. In a moment full of incredible British talent, Lola stood out. She’s bold, brilliant, and completely herself. West Hollywood, thank you for showing up and helping us keep pushing to end AIDS.” Grammy winner Lola Young performed a 10-song set list that included songs from her album “I’m Only F**king Myself,” from “SPIDERS” to “d£aler,” as well as her 2023 chart-topper, “Messy.” The starry guest list also included Dua Lipa, Keke Palmer, Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldaña, Patricia Arquette, Adam Lambert, Matthew Lillard, Tiffany Haddish, Dylan Efron, Brandi Carlile, David Geffen, Fran Drescher, Kate Beckinsale, Laverne Cox and Donatella Versace. The organization Mistr, which helps provide no-cost HIV-prevention medication PrEP to thousands of patients, was an event co-sponsor. “Our missions are simple and very much aligned. It’s all about eliminating HIV,” Mistr CEO Tristan Schukraft said. “And here in the U.S., we got PrEP, all those that are [HIV] negative, and if we can get everyone that’s positive virally suppressed, we can really eliminate HIV.” Fran Drescher rushed over to the party after attending part of the Academy Awards. “I sat through half the Oscars because I’m in ‘Marty Supreme’  but I didn’t want to miss the Elton John AIDS Foundation Party,” she said. “I admire him for being so philanthropic. I very heartily believe that if you have celebrity and you have social reach, if you don’t use it, you’re wasting it. And he uses it, and I feel dutiful to come here always and support him.” “We’ve made huge leaps and bounds … But there are still people who are undiagnosed. There are still people who need access to treatment,” “Matlock” star Jason Ritter said. “It hasn’t gone away. It’s still very much an issue that we are dealing with, and until everyone who has HIV is taken care of, we still have work to do.” Ritter also mentioned his co-star Kathy Bates, who appeared at the Oscars’ Rob Reiner tribute and famously won a statuette for her performance in Reiner’s “Misery.” “I wish she would [bring her Oscar to set],” Ritter said. “Her internal Oscar – her Oscar aura – is there. She’s just so brilliant, always.” Among the items that helped rake in the crucial funds during the event’s signature live auction were an Elton John Pinball Machine, Chopard Haute Joaillerie chandelier earrings, Lipa’s custom Jean Paul Gaultier pink corset, a dinner with John and his husband David Furnish, and two invitations to the Vanity Fair party, among many additional auction lots. 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