Asian Hall of Fame Annual Event Benefits LA Wildfire Relief, Women in Tech, Entertainment & Arts Grants

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LAPost/Los Angeles, CA (March 2nd, 2025) — The Asian Hall of Fame hosted its prestigious Hall of Fame Benefit on March 1, 2025, at The Biltmore Los Angeles, drawing together over 100 community leaders, artists, and media representatives. The glamorous evening featured a red carpet and charity boutique from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, followed by an elegant dinner and vibrant program. Proceeds from the event will support the American Red Cross’s wildfire relief efforts as well as the Asian Hall of Fame’s Women in Tech, Entertainment, and Arts Program.

Maki Hsieh (Left 3) with guests （Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）

Asian Hall of Fame CEO Maki Hsieh expressed the organization’s pride in hosting this charitable evening. “We are honored to present this Opening Night charity event for the Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts,” said Hsieh. “All proceeds tonight will be donated to the American Red Cross and families affected by the wildfires. This evening also marks our 21st anniversary and celebrates the Year of the Snake in 2025. It’s an intimate yet impactful annual celebration, uniting both emerging young artists and Oscar winners and nominees. We are thrilled to host this incredible event.”

The evening included special remarks from Congresswoman Judy Chu, who praised the Asian Hall of Fame for its philanthropic work and recognized key supporters Lily Liu and Melinda Rogers for their contributions. The dinner menu was specially curated by The Biltmore’s new Executive Chef, Melissa Godinez.

The night’s program blended inspiring speeches with captivating performances. Grammy artist and “America’s Got Talent” star Maki Mae, accompanied by Musical Director Ed Roth, delivered stunning vocal and violin performances, enchanting the audience with renditions from The Phantom of the Opera, Lakme, and Mozart’s Queen of the Night aria. She also performed duets with Lily Liu (Panis Angelicus) and Aubrey Leonard (Pie Jesu), creating truly magical moments on stage.

Additional performances included:

  • The vibrant opening dance by Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Academy.
  • Jazz sets by the Martini Club trio, joined by dance duo Reagan To and Daniil Babenko, the latter known for his role in Netflix’s hit series Squid Game.
  • A heartfelt rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by American Idol winner Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja.
  • A dynamic closing dance performance choreographed by Asian choreographer Aukai Cain.

The event also showcased Asian Hall of Fame’s signature boutique, featuring a St. John trunk show, Gold Boxes, Couture Boxes, and limited-edition pieces from the new Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami collection, alongside luxury items from Dior, Hermes, Chanel, and BVLGARI. Guests had the opportunity to bid on signed memorabilia from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Pearl Jam, as well as sports collectibles from the LA Rams, LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders.

The Asian Hall of Fame’s annual benefit highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting vital causes, fostering artistic talent, and advancing opportunities for women in technology, entertainment, and the arts. With a blend of cultural celebration and community support, this year’s event not only honored Asian excellence but also reinforced the collective spirit of giving and resilience. (Written by: Richard Ren/LAPost)