Janie’s Fund raises $2.5 million as Steven Tyler returns to the stage

The Sixth Annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party took place on February 2nd

Last night (Sun, Feb 2nd), Janieโ€™s Fund โ€“ the philanthropic initiative created by music legend and humanitarian Steven Tyler to bring hope and healing to girls and young women who have experienced trauma โ€“ hosted their Sixth Annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party, presented by Live Nation, at the Hollywood Palladium. The exclusive gala celebrated the biggest night in music, featuring a live viewing of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards telecast, a live auction, and live performances from Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Lainey Wilson, Linda Perry, Matt Sorum, Marcus King, Steve Stevens, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tom Hamilton with a special Aerosmith reunion on stage since the band called it quits as a touring group last year.

This year, following the Los Angeles wildfires, the star-studded event raised over $2.5 million to support Janieโ€™s Fund, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and The Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighterโ€™s Fund.

Musician and founder of Janieโ€™s Fund, Steven Tyler kicked off the evening and welcomed guests to the gala. He also took a moment to recognize local Los Angeles firefighters Brian Well (LAFD Battalion Chief), Bryan Nassour (LAFD Captain I), Cesar Garcia (LAFD Captain I), Mike Romero (LAFD Apparatus Operator), Richard Diede (LAFD Captain II, Wildland Fuel Management Unit Commander), and Tyler Tomich (LAFD Captain I) for their heroic work while combating the devastating Pacific Palisades and Eaton wildfires โ€“ to which they received a heartfelt standing ovation from the crowd.

Host and comedian Tiffany Haddish took the stage throughout the evening. She spoke about her experiences in foster care, and how the organizationโ€™s impactful support of young girls and women blew her away. โ€œI know firsthand how much support, love, and opportunity can mean to a young person trying to navigate a tough world,โ€ said Haddish. โ€œWe need more of you to step up, show your love and support for this lifesaving work.โ€

Supporters of Janieโ€™s Fund, actor John Corbett and actress/model Bo Derek echoed Haddishโ€™s sentiment and encouraged the crowd to support Janieโ€™s Fund and its mission by donating via text message. โ€œYou donโ€™t have to be a rockstar to make a big impact,โ€ said Corbett.

Tylerโ€™s daughter, Mia Tyler accompanied by one of Janieโ€™s Girls, Jaiden Santos, took a moment to thank the crowd for helping girls and young women realize their full potential and for standing with those in the Los Angeles community who have been deeply affected by the recent wildfires. โ€œMoments like these remind us to pause and reflect on what truly matters โ€“ being present with the people we love and finding ways to uplift those who need us most,โ€ said Tyler.

Guests were treated to special live art and musical performances from David Garibaldi and The London Essentials, respectively. Garibaldi dazzled the crowd by painting a portrait of Steven Tyler and a silhouette of a Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter bearing the words โ€œLA Strongโ€ in real-time, while The London Essentials brought the energy with live harmonies and renditions of upbeat tunes like โ€œThat’s Amoreโ€ by Dean Martin, โ€œI Want to Break Freeโ€ by Queen, โ€œOh, Pretty Womanโ€ by Roy Orbison, โ€œDonโ€™t You Want Meโ€ by The Human League, โ€œSuspicious Mindsโ€ by Elvis Presley and the popular mariachi song โ€œMorena de Mi Corazรณn.โ€

Following the Grammys telecast, Haddish returned to the stage to introduce Janieโ€™s Girl and keynote speaker Jett Duval who delivered an emotionally moving speech. Duval shared experiences from her traumatic childhood, and then chronicled her healing journey with the help of Janieโ€™s Fund and how she is now leading a bright life pursuing a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Georgia. โ€œThanks to Youth Villages and Janieโ€™s Fund, I get to move from simply surviving to simply living,โ€ said Duvall. โ€œI feel grateful. Grateful to be alive. Grateful for the support I received, and grateful for this opportunity.โ€

The gala raised over $2.5 million through a live appeal and auction which featured exclusive memorabilia, artwork, experiences and more such as Joan Jett and Joe Perryโ€™s personal Gibson guitars, the custom piano Steven Tyler used during Aerosmithโ€™s Las Vegas residency, the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T driven by Vin Diesel’s character โ€œDomโ€ in โ€œFast X,โ€ and more.

Linda Perry kicked off the after-party with an electric performance of โ€œImmigrant Song,โ€ which was followed by non-stop performances from Joan Jett who performed โ€œI Hate Myself,โ€ โ€œCherry Bombโ€, and โ€œBad Reputation,โ€ Billy Idol who performed โ€œDancing with Myselfโ€ and โ€œRebel Yell,โ€ Marcus King who performed โ€œProud Mary,โ€ plus Steven Tyler took the stage to perform multiple renowned hits including โ€œDream Onโ€ with Lainey Wilson, โ€œMore Than Wordsโ€ with Mick Fleetwood and Nuno Bettencourt, and โ€œSweet Emotionโ€ and โ€œWalk This Wayโ€ with Chris Robinson and Tom Hamilton.

Additional attendees included Paris Jackson, Gavin DeGraw, Edie Allen, David Archuletta, Jaden Hossler, Corey Feldman, Tia Carrere, Paris Berelc, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Neal McDonough, Danny “Count” Koker, and Theo Von, among others.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn