Operation Smile Gala: A Luau for Hope
By Janet Susan R. Nepales
It was a night to remember when stars gathered and showed up for a cause.
The glitterati raised more than a hundred dollars for Operation Smile by holding a star-studded event they dubbed “A Luau for Hope.”
Presented by Skechers to support the universal human right that every child deserves access to high-quality healthcare, the 26th annual Los Angeles Smile Gala was held at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel, the home of the Golden Globe Awards.
The Gala co-hosts and honorary committee this year included no less than Gene Simmons, Robert and Leslie Zemeckis, Roma Downey, Brooke Burke and Scott Rigsby, Carmit Bachar, Sasha Colby, Sneha and Nick Merchant, the Rodosky family and Veronica Barton Schwartz.
There was a silent auction and a live auction held while the guests in this tropical black tie event were entertained by several performers that included actress-singer Tia Carrere, who sang her moving original composition entitled “I’m Still Here” (now available on Spotify) and was accompanied on the guitar by her friend, Matthew Santos.
Carrere’s “Lilo & Stitch” nine-year-old co-star Maia Kealoha also danced the hula for the guests.
Other performers included Nonosina, Carmit Bachar, Aleu Moana, Tiara Bella of Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, Zaryan Merchant, Precious Perez, and David Charles.
This year’s event brought guests into the spirit of community care while highlighting Operation Smile’s work connecting Los Angeles to children and families across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The evening honored philanthropists Sherrie Rose of Alphapals and Stan Cook of Barefoot Dreams with the Founders Circle Award; artist, activist, filmmaker, musician, and humanitarian Jaime Kailani (sister of Bruno Mars) with the Cotto Changemaker Award; and LAFC founding director and owner Henry Nguyen with the Hope Builder Award.
Hosted by Brooke Burke who was also the Operation Smile Global Ambassador, the former Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) host attended the glamorous event with her children – daughter Rain Charret and son Shaya. Jacki Jing emceed.
Operation Smile’s 26th annual Smile Gala: A Luau for Hope was dedicated to expanding access to safe, life-changing surgery for children around the world. Since 1982, Operation Smile has believed that safe surgery is a universal human right. Today, more than 5 billion people — more than two-thirds of the world’s population — lack access to safe, affordable surgical care. In low-and-middle income communities, nine out of 10 people are left without care due to limited infrastructure, long distances to hospitals and a critical shortage of trained specialists.
Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition. Without treatment, children can face serious health complications, including difficulty feeding, breathing, eating and speaking. In many communities, children with cleft conditions also experience social stigma, bullying and social isolation, while limited access to health care and financial resources can lead to uncertain futures.
“Los Angeles is always a powerful reminder of our biggest community of caring,” said Kathy Magee, co-founder, president, and CEO of Operation Smile. “With Brooke Burke leading our celebration, we are reminded that our community is the engine of our mission. Together, through Operation 100, we are building hope by expanding access, bringing care closer to home, and creating a lasting impact.”
Operation Smile is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. They provide medical expertise, training, mentorship, research and care through our dedicated staff and volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits and health systems, and supported by our generous donors and corporate partners.
We interviewed some of the guest stars on the red carpet, and they talked about why it is important to support Operation Smile, the importance of Asian representation, among others.
Tia Carrere (“Lilo & Stitch,” performer) and Matthew Santos (performer)
Tia: This is Matthew Santos and he is also performing with me. He is half Filipino and he will play the guitar when I sing. You can check out his music online. It’s MatthewSantos.com. He is half Filipino.
Yes, I am performing tonight. It’s a luau. And I know we probably should be doing Hawaiian music, but there’s a song that I wrote a long time ago that I thought would be apropos for this because this organization has been here. Operation Smile has been here for 40 years, and the song is called “I’m Still Here.” So I thought it would be a great celebration. We’re all still here supporting these life-changing cleft palate surgeries.
With AAPI month ending, what else do you think needs to be done to improve Asian representation?
Tia: There were so many events this month that I was invited to and others that I wasn’t even able to go to because I was so busy. I love the celebration of our culture, of our many cultures and diaspora. It’s like being in Hawaii and everybody’s mixed and everybody loves each other, you know?
You have a new film that is coming up that you filmed in the Philippines, the romantic comedy, “The Last Resort.” Can you talk more about that?
Yes, it is also starring Daisy Ridley, Alden Ehrenreich, written by my girlfriend Karen McCullah, who did “House Bunny” and “Legally Blonde.”
It was financed in the Philippines. I think the president and his wife are big proponents of film and television in the Philippines. So hopefully, we see more of that. I would love to go back there.
We filmed in Cebu. They filmed some stuff too in Palawan and Manila. So they were there longer. I just flew in and did my part. Ironically, I was filming exactly the same day, and there was also the “Lilo & Stitch” premiere, so I missed my own premiere. Yeah, so sad.
Did you film with Jo Koy?
No, Jo koy filmed at a different time.
Any other future projects?
I just did a movie called “Quads & The Kicker.” It’s a neo-noir thriller about a group of women who have forged their bond through poker grifting. I play like this mysterious madam-like person.
Maia Kealoha (“Lilo & Stitch,” performer)
You are reunited with your “Lilo & Stitch” co-star Tia Carrere here today.
Yeah, it’s nice to see her again. I saw her at the Gold Gala not too long ago.
How was it working with her?
She’s so amazing. I didn’t really get to work with her that much, but she’s very nice, and sometimes we would sing “Aloha Oy” together, so that was really, really nice.
What was the most fun for you in filming “Lilo & Stitch”?
Probably getting to be on set and when they say like, three, two, one, action! You just like get that jittery, exciting, floating feeling. But my favorite scene is also the water gun scene. You have to do it one time, because if it got wet, I got wet.
And this is your first acting movie role, right?
Yes, it is.
So, were you nervous on your first days?
No, I actually wasn’t, because in Hawaii, I consider everyone as my ohana. And I did this little tiny play at my school that I used to go to. I was a tree and a car.
So do you have any future films coming up?
Well, I just finished this movie called “Nutmeg & Mistletoe.” It’s coming out this holiday. And I’m waiting for like a TV show or something amazing. I really want to do a lead role.
Did you study acting or is it inborn talent?
Inborn talent.
Brooke Burke (Host and Operation Smile Global Ambassador)
What does it mean to be the Operation Smile Global Ambassador?
Everything. It means we show up. It means we raise money. It means we network. We show up as a family. We go on missions. Pretty much everything. But it’s been over 15 years, and I’m still as invested as I was back then with my children. These are moments that really matter. These are really purposeful moments for us.
So have you traveled around the world for this project?
We’ve done Guatemala and Guadalajara. My daughter Rain went when she was six years old. My older children went this past year. It’s a life-changing experience for my family, but really for the families in need. So to witness that through my eyes, through my children’s eyes, is indescribable, really.
Did you go to the Philippines?
Not yet, but I’d like to.
So you have a lot of books that you did. Are you coming up with another book?
It’s in the future, maybe, but not right now. Right now, I’m just transitioning all the kids to a new time.
And so what other projects are you doing? Like podcasts?
No, not a podcast. Working on my app, raising my family, still working with “Penn & Teller Fool Us.”
R’Bonney (Miss Universe 2022)
I interviewed you when you were still Miss USA. Welcome
to LA, your new home.
Thank you. I’m excited.
I saw all your videos moving with your dad and everything.
Oh my gosh, he’s so crazy. Moving has been a whole thing from Texas to here. I’ve only been here a month, but I feel like I’ve been here a lot longer. There’s so many things to do here in the city.
You’ve been everywhere in all the AAPI events.
I’ve been showing up. I’ve been outside. I’ve been outside a lot. New city, new chapter. So definitely trying to meet as many people as possible.
So now that the AAPI month just ended, what else do you think is needed to improve Asian representation?
I think we just have to carry over that same energy from AAPI month all year long. Showing up for each other, for the events, helping each other out, offering our services. There’s power in network. Filipinos are really good at that. So it’s not just a month thing. It’s a whole year long, lifestyle and energy and the way we just connect and keep up with each other.
And you have your Project Runway coming up. Please update us on that.
Oh my gosh I can’t say anything but yes, competing on the upcoming season. It will be airing July 9th.
Any other projects you’re thinking of?
A lot is going to happen around that July 9th time, and really a lot of projects will be coming out. I would say within the next month, design-wise. So I would say look out for that.
So what are your impressions of Los Angeles?
I’m just on a really big high on life. I love it. There’s a lot to do. Obviously, the weather’s great. Before this, it was Houston. Before that, it was the Philippines. So I’m excited to be stateside again. I’m a beach girly. I’m loving the weather, and I’m loving how close I am to everything.
What important lessons did you learn while you were living in the Philippines?
Oh my gosh. Well, where do I want to go with that? I learned so many things. I was in the Philippines for a year and a half. The provinces are where it’s at. I was able to go to Ilocos Sur, places that were not as popular. And I mean, I think I already knew this, but the Filipinos are so warm, so welcoming. And I didn’t realize how diverse the Philippines really is because I grew up just visiting Manila. So there’s so many different provinces and dialects, and it’s just a very rich culture.
But you were visiting the people in the provinces, and did they recognize you or not?
You know, sometimes it depends. Yeah, it just depends. Sometimes and sometimes not. But there was love everywhere I went in the Philippines.
And did you make this dress?
This is actually an old design. I brought it back out for tonight. It was a last-minute thing. But I designed this a few years ago. This is a dress from my pageant days. And I was scrambling to find something.
Jay Huguley (“Landman”)
How much involvement do you have with Operation Smile and why do you think Operation Smile is an important project?
Well, this is the first time I’ve been invited, and I’m very, very happy to be here. But I’ve heard about Operation Smile for years, and I think it’s one of the great organizations. Safe surgery should be a right, not a privilege. And in America, a cleft palate is fixed immediately.
It’s not the same case all over the world. So, you know, children should be able to have that very, very basic thing of being able to smile. And that’s what this incredible organization does. I’m very, very proud to be here.
And your other projects aside from “Landman”?
I’m in a new movie called “Death on the Brandywine,” which is going to be premiering at the end of this month, about a murder in a political family. I’m very, very proud of that one.
And I’m in the new “Cape Fear” with Javier Bardem and Amy Adams. It started airing this week for Apple. I’m very excited about that too.
John Savage (“Deer Hunter”)
We saw you at the Manila International Film Festival.
Yes.
What are your new projects?
I’ve got a few. I’ve had a chance to look and really find some really good scripts that have been sent to me in the last couple of years. And one of the problems in the last couple of years is a lot of things had to change with finance preparation, stuff like that. So I’m going to be doing this little film right now with two young men. They’ve really written a sweet beginning.
At the end of the month, I will be working with a great English producer, director, and his wife, and I’ll be having fun in a character that’s kind of wild. And the two of us, we worked well together before, but he’s here now, and we’re going to do his script. I think it has a sense of humor to it.
I see you in a lot of AAPI events. What attracts you to these events?
I don’t know. I go where I’m asked most of the time. And I think I know some people here, but I’m getting older and I’m looking at younger people right now.
How much are you involved with Operation Smile?
I love the idea. For myself, I was never smiling because I didn’t feel comfortable with my teeth, too. So I’ve had teeth broken, replaced, had great surgery and dentists. And now I’m enjoying it. I enjoy smiling. It makes me feel good.
Michael Naizu (“Hacks”)
How much are you involved in Operation Smile?
I am not involved much in Operation Smile, besides me supporting tonight. But I think it’s an amazing cause.
Now that AAPI month just ended, what else do you think should be done to improve Asian representation?
I think it’s extremely important to have Asian representation. I am half Asian. My brother and I just did a movie together called “Bound for Glory” that should be coming out. We’re hitting the festival trail in the Fall, and we have a lot of AAPI representation; Janel Parrish is in the movie, we had a lot of Asian Americans behind the camera as well, and I think that was a big focus for me as well. It’s such an authentic story to myself, and I wanted the people behind it, to understand that it’s the same thing. I’m half Chinese.
Have you been to the Philippines?
I have, but so many Filipinos think I’m Filipino, so I think I’m an honorary Filipino by now. That’s what I’ve been told at least.
Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”)
So what’s happening with you now after “Bling Empire”?
Lots happening. I have a book coming out. It’s being published. It’s called “The Yellow Perspective” coming out in 2027. Just doing some independent producing on my own. Auditioning whenever I can. Oh, I launched a podcast on my own too.
Now that AAPI month just ended, what do you think should be done more to promote Asian representation?
It would have been great to have seen a little more amplified and keep the momentum going, but I do think we need this representation to have a little bit more fluidity. I see a lot of new actors coming up who are strictly like just Korean and I’m like, we should really expand on all types not just like you’re Korean and can only play Korean roles or you have to be from South Korea like all that stuff. You should have a more fluid form of representation.
Do you have any new TV projects?
I did “The Traitors” I just did something for Netflix. I also did a podcast as well so just trying to keep it going. I also did the Philippine movie, “Hello Love Again.”
How was that experience?
It was amazing. Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards are amazing actors. They are really kind actors too.
Did you learn any Tagalog words?
I did. It was a line that I might be butchering now.
Any Filipino food that’s your favorite?
Yeah. It was the pork skins, chicharon. And Jollibee’s. I am a huge fan of Jollibee’s.
Nathan Ramos-Park (“Five Blind Dates”)
Why is Operation Smile so important for you?
Operation Smile is super important to me. I was born with a cleft lip and palate. I was one of the kids in the commercials with the facial deformity. Operation Smile, I know firsthand how vital it is for these children to receive these life-changing surgeries. I’m half Filipino, half Korean, and so I try to sponsor a kid at least every year to get to experience the same thing I do because I know how isolating it can be to be so different and how difficult it is for your health to have a cleft open palate. There are difficulties in breathing, swallowing, and chewing.
It’s difficult to do really anything to be a human being if you have a cleft palate. And so it changed my life. I’m so happy to support and so excited and honored to support Operation Smile because I’m a part of the Philippine family.
Who’s Korean and who’s Filipino in the family?
My dad’s Filipino and my mom’s Korean.
And what part of the Philippines is he?
My Lola’s from Manila.
And now that the AAPI month is ending, how should we promote Asian representation more?
It’s super important to always have representation. I think that the Philippines, the number one export in the Philippines is people. And so there are Filipinos all around the world, having different life experiences, having different occupations to survive and thrive.
Bring your Filipino culture around the world. I grew up in Ohio because my Filipino aunts and uncles were working in the Cleveland Clinic, and so my life is a direct representation of being Filipino and being Korean. We are just as American as everybody else, and so that’s what it means to be Asian American.
Narumi Inatsugo (Joysauce TV Network)
Why is this Operations Smile gala important?
There is just a lot of underprivileged people around the world who don’t have the means to live a normal life in any way, shape, or form. And it’s just great that people can come together and really raise money to help the underprivileged. And I’m really here just to support and to raise a paddle and to donate money, basically.
Now that AAPI month just ended, how do you think we should promote Asian representation more?
So I’m half Japanese, born in Hawaii. And I’m a co-owner of a company called Joysauce, which is the largest television network in the country that distributes Asian and Asian American content. So everything I do is Asian representation. And it’s so important because for young children out there especially, if you can see something on television, you can be that person. If you can’t see that and you don’t believe that at a young age, then you won’t. And, you know, it’s something that I really strongly believe in. I think I was at like 30 galas in the month of May for AAPI. So I’m a very strong supporter in our community.
Nicole Fox (Former Miss Hawaii, TV host, luxury hospitality entrepreneur, and real estate investor) and Rembrandt Flores (Founder of Filipino Forces, brand amplification architect)
How important is it for you to be here at the Operation Smile Gala?
Nicole: I think it’s an incredibly important cause, and I can’t help but say this is the best possible theme that they could have chosen.
Rembrandt: Yeah, I think it’s important that we’ve always helped these kids, because the smile is the most important part, right? And so that’s the first thing that people see, so we’re always honored to come every year and support them.
What do you think is still important to do to have more Asian representation?
Rembrandt: I still think it’s important because no matter how big our community gets, we still need to support each other because if we don’t support each other, then what’s the whole point of community? And so no matter how much shine that we get with everyone like from Tia (Carrere) to Olivia (Rodrigo) to Bruno (Mars), I still think we still need to keep going because I don’t think we’ll ever get to a point where we’re bigger than that, right? So, I think it’s important to keep going and always remember that there’s always much more to do for the community.
Nicole: We want to see our own faces represented. And so, I think that any type of events that we can host, whether it’s Filipino Forces, like what Rembrandt just threw.
Congratulations, by the way.
Rembrandt: We were so sad that you were out in India. We were so sad. But we understand that you were at a wedding for your daughter.
Nicole: I guess that’s important, yes. I was very inspired. But for any type of events like that, again, the focal point is just how do we make sure that we continue to celebrate the accomplishments of those who have come before us and pave the pathway for those who are going to come in the future.
Any projects for you?
Nicole: So I’m hosting a new show called “Staycation.” It’s about taking people into vacation rentals, and I’m working on a show with my dad called “Five Minute Fixes with the Foxes” where we teach people how to do basic home repairs around the house.
Wow, amazing. So your father agreed to that?
So I’m hosting a new show called Staycation. It’s about taking people into vacation rentals and I’m
working on a show with my dad called Five Minute Fixes with the Foxes where we teach people how to
do basic home repairs around the house. Wow, amazing. So your father agreed to that?
He agreed to that. Well, the question was whether or not I was going to agree to it because he
is…
He’s a difficult one to work with, but he’s so much fun. And moving in LA and everything in LA.
Exactly. So that’s about it. And Rembrandt’s got a ton coming up. So I mean,
my new show will come out this fall. You have a new show? Yeah. So it’s a video podcast called Just
Plan. So I’m excited for you guys to all watch it this fall. I’m very, very excited. When is it
coming out? This fall. I can’t give you the exact date. Podcast. It’s a video podcast. So I’m
interviewing people that you might know. Oh, okay. A lot of people you’ll know. Okay. That’s
exciting. Yes. We’re very excited. Congratulations again. Nice to see you.
He agreed to that. Well, the question was whether or not I was going to agree to it because he is a difficult one to work with, but he’s so much fun.
And your new projects Rembrandt?
Rembrandt: My new show will come out this Fall. It’s a video podcast called “Just Plan.” So, I’m excited for you guys to all watch it this Fall. I’m very, very excited. It’s a video podcast. So I’m interviewing people whom you might know.
