The Music Center celebration drew writers, actors, musicians, athletes, business leaders, and a host of creatives
Words by ELIZABETH VARNELL
Los Angeles’ Music Center was filled with Asian Pacific and multicultural luminaries on Saturday, May 10, as Gold House hosted its fourth annual Gold Gala and celebrated its 2025 A100 list of changemakers. Each year the organization — which comprises networks, investment funds, programs, and platforms promoting next-generation founders, creatives, and leaders — also honors community members while summoning a glittering mix of guests. This year, Ang Lee received the Gold Legend honor for his cinematic achievements and for globally elevating Asian Pacific stories. Actress Zhang Ziyi accepted the Gold Generation award on behalf of her Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon cast on the influential film’s 25th anniversary. Gold House cofounder and Wicked director Jon M. Chu received the A1 honors in the entertainment and media category, Perplexity AI’s Aravind Srinivas took home the award for the business and technology category, and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee was awarded the fashion, lifestyle, and fine arts prize just days after the Met Gala.
Min Jin Lee, author of the Korean generational novel Pachinko, also accepted the Gold Legend honor, as did Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of the Pokémon Company (Pikachu was also on hand). Megan Thee Stallion was handed the One House honor for her support of Asian Pacific culture through music, fashion, television, and film projects and anime. The cast and directors of Moana 2 celebrated their Gold Ensemble award and Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey took the Gold Music honor. Scores more received recognition, including Anderson .Paak, who received the Gold Mogul award for his work in music, entrepreneurship, film, and philanthropy. Team USA athletes including gymnast Suni Lee, fencer Lee Kiefer, rugby player Chuck Aoki, and swimmer Torri Huske took home A1 honors in sports and gaming.
Scores of creatives handed out the awards including Sandra Oh, Allyson Felix, Jordan Chiles, Chrissy Teigen, James Sweeney, Naomi Watanabe, Academy President Janet Yang and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Amy Homma. A three-course dinner with a Filipino influenced menu, presented by OpenTable, was created by James Beard Award-winning chef Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in L.A. Also on hand were Mindy Kaling, H.E.R., John Legend, Tan France, Agnez Mo, Alex and Maia Shibutani, Alysa Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, Bryan Greenberg, Carol Lim, Chloe Flower, Chloe Kim, Eileen Gu, Elodie Yung, Eric Nam, Eugene Lee Yang, Humberto Leon, Jamie Chung, Jeannie Mai, Jhené Aiko, Joel Kim Booster, Kelly Marie Tran, Kimora Lee Simmons, Kelsey Meritt, Kristi Yamaguchi, Sohee Park, and Stephanie Suganami. Additionally, Gold House acknowledged the L.A. Wildfire Heroes, represented by Ann Lee of CORE and Natalie Tran of CAA Foundation, who were honored with A1 Social Impact awards.
May 16, 2025
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