Since 2012 I’ve been covering the Pageant of the Masters Celebrity Benefit Show. It’s always been entertaining and memorable to see and interviewing celebrities on the red carpet whether it’s their 30th year or their first time to support the festival. From Heather Locklear to Gloria Allred to late Paul Sorvino and daughter Mira Sorvino to Jane Seymour and Joe Mantegna to this year’s headline and host the legendary Priscilla Presley. Ms. Presley, former wife of the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley has been a supporter and a regular of the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters. For quarter of century Miss Presley has continued to serve as Ambassador to Dream Foundation, the only charity that grants final wishes to terminally ill adults.
Priscilla Presley
Rockin’ a black laced midi dress and looked stunning on the red carpet, Ms. Presley was very pleasant to talk to. She greeted fans as she walked the red carpet and was very friendly with every interview she did. I am honored to chat and interview with Priscilla Presley during this special event.
What keeps her coming back to see Pageant of the Masters? She mentioned that every year is different. “They are all very different. But “The Last Supper” was so touching. I had my parents with me at some point in time. And my father didn’t wanna come but when he saw “The Last Supper” there were actually tears in his eyes. So that was really a great memory”.
Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna starred in the CBS television series Criminal Minds as FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi. A recipient of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Venice Film Festival as Best Actor. I met Mr. Mantegna about three times at the Celebrity Benefit Show and has been attending and supporting the festival for 30 years now.
“It’s a no-brainer for me. It’s a unique event anything like in the world so why wouldn’t I. I’m able to drive here from my home for such an event that probably people would like to come other parts of the world why wouldn’t I. It’s just a wonderful time. I’ve been coming here for 30 years now.”
Michael Tucci
MIchael Tucci is best known for his role as the T-Birds member Sonny LaTierri in the 1978 film version of the musical Grease. But many of you don’t know that Mr. Tucci is also a Broadway actor and played the father of Melissa McCarthy’s character in 2013 in the movie The Heat. Tucci has been a supporter of Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts since 1983.
“Just the fact seating at the audience and seeing all these paintings come alive it’s like being at the museum. It’s like magic. Seeing these beautiful works. We were doing a play ….Joe and I base on Da Vinci’s life and one of the last scenes in the play was “The Last Supper” and to see it come alive gave us the opportunity for casting. And how many of these are in the world? This is it! And with the covid, you’re outside, it’s safer.”
Musical guest at this years Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters Wonderful World Soirée was Arturo Sandoval. Mr. Sandoval delighted the audience at the festival with Afro-Cuban Jazz, Be Bop, straight ahead Jazz and so much more. At the special event, Sandoval put the audience on their feet and danced to his music. Sandoval is a renowned classical artist and a composer who has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards, an Emmy, the Hispanic Heritage Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, and was recently honored with a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the prestigious Notre-Dame University.
Every year I always look forward to feature Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts. It never gets old. It has always been a memorable experience and the staff are my second family. I can’t wait who will be walking the red carpet in 2023.
Special thanks to Nikka Navarro, Wayne Kitchen and Ted Nguyen who took my photos and videos. And thank you to Sharbie, Meghan and Tori.
This write-up is dedicated to my late mom Paulita Santos Salazar (1939-2020) known as Paulette or Ely to her friends and relatives. She is a big supporter of her grand kids who participated to the Pageant of the Masters. She would wait at the patio at some point in time to wait for her grand kids until they are done with their performances or watched them in the audience during their performances.
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