Gabrielle Anwar takes the stage at the 20th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball as Celebrity Emcee
Gabrielle Anwar is not shy. In fact, she once told an audience of well-heeled South Florida VIPs that that she was asked to be Celebrity Emcee at the annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, regarded as the gala of Miami’s social season, because she’s sleeping with the ball’s Chairman. (That would be her fiancé, the dapper philanthropist and restaurateur Shareef Malnik, Gala Chair of the Ball.)
Ah, the many facets of Gabrielle are limitless. With a man, three children, a canine, feline, and equine menagerie, an art studio, a yoga practice, a garden, a green lifestyle, and a slew of literature in the works, Gabrielle has miraculously just completed filming her directorial debut on the big O… (and O doesn’t stand for Oprah, either)…the documentary “Sexology.”
Born in Berkshire, England, the endearing and accomplished Gabrielle has 45 film and television performances to her credit in both Europe and the States. From the first time she danced the tango and her way into our hearts as a doe-eyed ingénue opposite Al Pacino in “Scent of a Woman” in 1993, Gabrielle has captivated us. She’s portrayed a risqué royal in Showtime’s “The Tudors,” a regal Queen Anne in “The Three Musketeers” and a fatal object of desire in “Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead.” And of course, there’s Fiona, Gabriella’s sexy, tough-as-nails female lead of the hit show “Burn Notice” on USA networks, which just wrapped its seventh and final season. The number one cable show of all time, “Burn Notice” pulled in network viewership numbers. Not since “Miami Vice” has a show filmed in Miami earned that distinction.
Even with 45 roles to her credit, her most important role may be the one that awaits her on November 1st, when she takes the stage at the 20th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball as Celebrity Emcee for the fourth consecutive year, focusing her formidable talents on a goal very close to her heart, “Granting “Wishes” to children with life-threatening medical conditions though Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. “I am moved by the light it sheds upon those too innocent to be in such darkness,’’ said Gabrielle of the charity, which she got involved in because of Shareef, whose younger brother, diagnosed with leukemia, was granted a Wish in 2005. “Shareef was my inspiration. It was, and is, his passion and commitment to a cause that he was personally affected by that has influenced me.”
“I am moved by the light it sheds upon those too innocent to be in such darkness.”
> Gabrielle
Together, they have created moments onstage so unique, so unheard of for a high-profile charity event that one can’t help but be riveted. For the Bollywood-themed Ball, Gabrielle and Shareef led a ballroom of 900 bejeweled VIPs in an impromptu, sari-waving flash mob. For the Magic-themed Ball, Shareef, dressed in a black magician’s cape and white tie, “sawed” Gabrielle in half; Gabrielle, her yoga-toned body perfection in a nude-hued, ruffled bodysuit, provided comic relief by thrusting her middle finger to Shareef, mid-act. For another Ball, Gabrielle, a classically trained dancer, donned ballet tights and toe shoes, as did Shareef, who we suspect did not grow up taking ballet lessons. The resulting video footage of the lovebirds practicing on-point at the Miami City Ballet rehearsal studio is nothing short of hilarious. “Shareef and I endeavor to create an opening act that will capture the attention of 900 feisty patrons, and reflect the theme of the ball. And it usually requires leaving our egos at the door of the Intercontinental Miami,” Gabrielle laughs.
The evening begins as guests follow the yellow brick road to a magical “Oz”themed elaborate event as the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball celebrates its 20th year. The Ball has raised more than $14 million to grant the wishes of over 3,000 children from South Florida. The 2013 event raised a record amount with the net revenue topping $2 million. The star-studded Gala will host more than 900 VIPs, socialites, fashion mavens, celebrities and notable philanthropists, with a common goal, raising funds for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
During the cocktail reception, guests will enjoy sumptuous culinary offerings and cocktails while bidding on more than 125 premier items at the Ball’s legendary silent auction, donated by top hospitality, entertainment, fashion and luxury brands. Once the ballroom opens for dinner, Gabrielle will return for the fourth consecutive year as Celebrity Emcee of the Ball’s very lively live auction. The evening will close with a special performance by legendary, award-winning entertainer Diana Ross. As lead singer of The Supremes in the ‘60s, Ross helped to shape the sound of popular music, changing the landscape and paving the way for contemporary hits. Her love of life, never-ending wonder, the appreciation of goals and achievements and sheer human spirit define the artist that is Diana Ross and continue to make her one of the most identifiable, unique, beloved and influential singers of successive pop generations.
The fun doesn’t stop there. The Ball’s annual after-party will continue at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Nightclub, highlighted by an over-the-top fashion show of Oz-inspired looks by couture designers, presented by Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour.
While there are many philanthropists involved, the enduring success of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball is largely due to the dedicated efforts of Shareef Malnik, Gala Chairman, philanthropist and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant/Wine Bar; Robert Hill, Gala Host and InterContinental Miami General Manager; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida the trio affectionately known as the “Three Amigos.”
Shareef Malnik, Chairman of the Ball for the 10th year, introduced the Chairman’s Society in 2011 as an operating cost endowment to cover all expenses associated with organizing and planning the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. Malnik has met his goal of enlisting 20 businesses, civic and philanthropic leaders, each pledging $25,000 per year for five consecutive years, to yield a total commitment of $500,000 annually, resulting in the granting of 100 additional wishes to Southern Florida children each year. Both he and Gabrielle Anwar are members of the Chairman’s Society.
“It’s hard to believe that the gala we are working on has become such an important icon in the community. It is humbling and reminds me how honored I am to be allowed to contribute,” said Shareef. When asked about his Co-Amigos,” Shareef says, “Each one of us brings something different to the table that integrates well and complements each other. We defer to the other’s strengths. The one thing we have in common is our commitment to Make-A Wish.” Shareef claims that Make-A-Wish is in his DNA and that motivates him year after year to continue his involvement. Philanthropy is truly a family affair for Shareef. His father, Al Malnik, and his wife Nancy, are Lifetime Benefactors of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, and their donation of $1 million in 2012 at the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball remains the largest single contribution. Shareef is very emotional when talking about Make-A-wish and says, “My family is very close and my father is my mentor. I have now enlisted my new family, fiancée Gabrielle Anwar and her three children. The Wish children are my emotional investment because they are OUR children, metaphorically and literally.”
For the 10th year as Chairman of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, Shareef clearly states his vision for the ball as, “My goal is twofold, to fund as many wishes as possible, and for our guests to have the best time of their lives , so they keep coming back to fund more wishes.”
When Robert Hill, General Manager, InterContinental Miami, talks about the 20 years of the event, he says, “It’s such a feeling of accomplishment to be celebrating 20 years of friendship with Make-a-Wish Southern Florida and the Ball. The hype, excitement and energy around the 20th Annual InterContinental Miami Make-a-Wish Ball make me so proud of the fact that over five different generations of General Managers have continued this legacy for 20 years. It is quite unique to have a business and a nonprofit work together for such a long time to leverage in-kind gifts to maximize the percentage of donated funds that allow for the granting of wishes. The lives that have been forever changed as a result are the single most rewarding aspect at the end of the event each year.”
On a more personal note, Robert was touched by the InterContinental Miami Make-a-Wish Ball when he first worked at the Hotel 19 years ago. It started out smaller back then, but it was still the highlight of the charity ball season. That legacy has stayed with him ever since. When Robert left (InterContinental Miami) 15 years ago, he tried to bring a little of that community-giving and responsible business to each of the cities where he continued his career with InterContinental. “I hope that I have left behind the start of a legacy in those cities and Hotels. As a father, I am reminded to love ‘my boys’ and to spend as much quality time as I can with them. I am very fortunate to have their love and that of my wife, Breda,” said Robert.
In a world of short-term relationships, it is both unique and a true validation of commitment to be celebrating 20 years of the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. The dynamics of The Three Amigos relationship have contributed to the success of the event because, first and foremost, they really like and respect each other. Norman Wedderburn, President/CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida says, “It’s so much fun to work with people you like while doing good. Additionally, we share the same core values and therefore we are almost always on the same page. That goes a long way.” Make-A-Wish Southern Florida is one of the strongest chapters in the nation, and for good reason … they truly care, and Norman and his team work tirelessly on behalf of the community’s children in need. When Norman is asked to share something special about the Southern Florida chapter his eyes light up. He says, “We are about to grant wish number 10,000 and we’ll be one of only five chapters to have hit that milestone. While I wish and look forward to the day where we are no longer needed, until that day arrives, we want to reach every single child. “
The genuine friendship Shareef, Robert and Norman have formed at the beginning continues to grow, and is what transformed them as individuals into the Three Amigos. Their friendship is what keeps them laughing, but it is their passion for helping others that keeps them humble and always looking to take the Ball to the next level. They are always trying to do more, because they have come together with one shared vision and a mission to ensure that every child will receive his/her Wish.