On Sunday, October 12th, the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards lit up the historic Cicada Restaurant and Lounge like a Gatsby dream. Presented by Gurus Magazine, the soirée oozed speakeasy glamour as the second annual fête celebrated trailblazers of impact, innovation, and inspiration all with a Jazz Age twist.
Hilaria Baldwin poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Ashely Alexiss & Brodie John pose on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet with their cover of Weddings by Gurus Magazine wearing Suzy Levian Jewelry Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
The cast of Netflix’s Selling Sunset present Jason Oppenheim with the Gurus Award for Civic Leadership in the iconic Cicada Restaurant & Lounge Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
The event was spearheaded by Gurus Magazine founder and publisher Derek Warburton and executive produced by Rachel Wilson, bringing to life a captivating evening of purpose, glamour, and celebration where guests were whisked into a Jazz Age reverie, where Art Deco decadence met modern Hollywood magic in a scene straight from a Gatsby fantasy.
Taye Diggs poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Cynthia Bailey & Gretchen Rossi laugh while posing for Josh Fogel’s Photo Studio at the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Courtney Ford poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
The star-studded guest list sparkled with Taye Diggs (Actor), Cynthia Bailey (RHOA), Gretchen Rossi & Slade Smiley (RHOC), Gleb Savchenko (DWTS), Hilaria Baldwin (Entrepreneur), Laganja Estranja (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Matt Dallas (Actor), Sarah Jane Morris (HBO’s The Pitt), Courtney Ford (Actress), Jasmine Goode (Media Personality), with Jason Oppenheim, Nicole Young, Mary Bonnet, and Romain Bonnet (Netflix’s Selling Sunset), amongst others, each a modern guru of style, substance, and influence.
Matt Dallas poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Gurus Cover stars, Lauren Falcione (The Blonde Italian) and Gleb Savchenko, pose in the Gurus Awards Winner Circle Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Laganja Estranja poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
The awards show, produced by Kent Burns, kicked off in true showbiz style as Derek Warburton made a grand entrance flanked by feather-adorned dancers, setting the tone for an evening of glamour and spectacle. With the grace of a silver screen siren, Awards Host Robyn Newmark, the cherished Hollywood Beauty Guru and Editor-in-Chief of Beauty Guru Magazine led the evening with wit, charm, and her signature sparkle, captivating the room like a true star of the Golden Age. Dripping in 1920s elegance and heartfelt purpose, the night honored changemakers in beauty, wellness, and community impact.
L-R: Nicole Young, Jason Oppenheim, Mary Bonnet, & Romain Bonnet pose on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Tricia Connor Jackson and Andi Lew of Press Pass LA have a laugh mid-interview on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Award Highlights:
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Beauty Entrepreneur of the Year: Olha Maikina, presented by Gretchen Rossi
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Hope & Healing Award: Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, presented by Courtney Ford
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Innovation Award: Evelyn’s Breast Friends Forever, accepted by Evelyn Calip, presented by Dr. Michael K. Newman
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Empowerment Through Reinvention: Tricia Connor Jackson, presented by Laganja Estranja & Lauren Falcione
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Storytelling Impact Award: Lifetime Network, accepted by Taye Diggs, presented by Autumn Federici
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Civic Leadership Award: Jason Oppenheim, presented by Mary Bonnet, Romain Bonnet, & Nicole Young
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Community Excellence Award: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, accepted by Michelle Toulmin, presented by Matt Dallas & Gleb Savchenko
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Child Advocacy Champion: Dawn McCoy, presented by Sarah Jane Morris
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Inspiration Award: Worthy Of Love, accepted by Mandie Davis, presented by Cynthia Bailey
L-R: Derek Warburton, Evelyn Calip, & Dr. Michael K. Newman celebrate Evelyn’s Breast Friends Forever Gurus Awards Win at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Olha Maikina celebrates her Gurus Award win with presenter Gretchen Rossi at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
L-R: Robyn Newmark, Derek Warburton, Cynthia Bailey, Mandie Davis, & Lauren Falcione celebrate Worthy of Love’s Gurus Awards Win at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Guests were treated to an immersive showcase where Luxe Bites served a flapper-worthy eight-foot-long dessert bar. The Blonde Italian gifted artisan popcorn seasoned with her unique spices, Zemits unveiled next-gen beauty tech, and Lumara introduced cutting-edge wellness solutions. All the while, celebrity and fashion photographer, Josh Fogel, captured each and every guest’s glamorous looks in his luxe photo studio. Satin Dollz dancers shimmered, a live band crooned, and Monica Mahoney’s radiant models in 1920s-inspired kimonos posed like living art in the windows. Gerra the AI robot added a whimsical futuristic twist to the vintage dream by dancing with and interacting with guests all night!
L-R: Dawn McCoy, Walon McCoy, & Sarah Jane Morris pose on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Kimberly Kim poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Kimberly Kim
As the curtain fell on the 2025 Gurus Awards, the sparkle lingered. Guests bid adieu with elegant gift bags brimming with decadent delights, a veritable Roaring ’20s treasure chest. From Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, Peter Thomas Roth skincare, Purlisee beauty, to Suzy Levian Jewelry to Thyme & Table blenders, spices from The Blonde Italian, and signed copies of Beating Endo by award-winner Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, each item was a nod to luxury, purpose, and pampering.
Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Robyn Newmark poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Photo Credit: Ghost Media
The 2025 Gurus Awards wasn’t just a celebration, it was a love letter to innovation, elegance, and authenticity. A night where legacy met luxury, and the spirit of the Roaring ’20s danced once more.
Derek Warburton poses with the Satin Dollz for the closing number of the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
A heartfelt thank you to all who made this soirée the bee’s knees. Rachel Wilson, for her impeccable vision as executive producer, Robyn Newmark, for her leadership and exquisite hosting, Kent Burns, for producing and executing with flair and finesse, Andy Orellana of Kappa AV, for seamless production support, The devoted Gurus team Marisa Hebert, Ashley Foster, Sari Cohen, Josh Fogel, Christian Raices, Josh Davis, Gaby Lask, Tiffany Young, Jennielyn Salmorin, and Laura Pucker for their tireless dedication. Gurus Beauty Editors, Joel Sebastian and Bongbong Baun, for styling the editorial team to perfection. Robin L. Marshall, Ghost Media, Jy Prishkulnik, and Press Pass LA for their photo and videography cover. Morgan Publicity, for their steadfast support. The gracious staff of Cicada Restaurant & Lounge, for their warm hospitality and every sponsor and supporter, whose contributions turned dreams into dazzling reality.
L-R: Gaby Lask, Sari Cohen, Tiffany Young, Marisa Hebert, Rachel Wilson, Derek Warburton, Robyn Newmark, Josh Fogel, Kent Burns, Ashley Foster, & Joel Sebastian pose together on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
