For nearly three decades, The Art of Elysium has stood at the intersection of creativity and compassion, pairing artists with communities in need and demonstrating the healing power of the arts. In 2007, to mark the nonprofit’s 10th anniversary, the organization launched HEAVEN—a one-night-only immersive art installation designed in collaboration with a VISIONARY whose work awakens the collective imagination. Its guiding principle is simple and profound: through active creation, we can momentarily bring heaven to earth.
For its 18th iteration, HEAVEN selected Lee Daniels as its VISIONARY, honoring a filmmaker whose storytelling has consistently pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and illuminated the human spirit. Daniels’ concept—“reconnecting with your inner child”—became the guiding heartbeat of the 2025 experience.
Lee Daniels attends The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025 at Rosewood Miramar Beach on November 11, 2025, in Montecito, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
And for the first time ever, HEAVEN stepped outside Los Angeles, landing at the serene and luxurious Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, an idyllic backdrop for Daniels’ deeply personal and imaginative vision.
A Deep Blue Carpet and a Sense of Wonder
Guests arrived at a black-tie, deep blue carpet that shimmered with anticipation. Cameras flashed, conversations buzzed, and in one of the evening’s most whimsical surprises, Jason Segel appeared with puppets from The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, offering a playful hint of the magic still to come.
The evening opened on the Great Lawn, where Zuri Marley set the tone with an elevated DJ set. As twilight settled, Grammy Award winners Autumn Rowe and Andrae Alexander performed an original song written specifically for Daniels’ vision—an artistic prologue to the world guests were about to enter.
Jennifer Howell, Founder and CEO, The Art of Elysium, attends The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
(L-R) Shanola Hampton and Daren Dukes attend The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
A Procession Into Purpose
Guests were led into the formal dinner through a ceremonial procession. Shanola Hampton opened the evening with a reading by Jennifer Howell and invited her to the stage, to welcome and ground the guests into the mission of The Art of Elysium—its history, its purpose, and why HEAVEN exists as both celebration and call to action.
Shanola Hampton speaks onstage during The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
Then came a defining moment: Andra Day took the stage, delivering two powerhouse performances before presenting Daniels with the VISIONARY Award. Daniels’ acceptance was raw, unscripted, and deeply moving. He spoke of childhood memories with his mother—moments that shaped his understanding of love, safety, and identity—and explained how those early experiences informed his concept of heaven.
Honoree Lee Daniels speaks onstage during The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
The room sat in stillness, absorbing the emotional truth at the core of his installation.
Co-chair Sima Morrison extended an official welcome to Montecito, followed by a spirited live auction led by Paul Song of Bonham’s. The evening’s philanthropic message was brought into sharp focus by Ashley Grace, whose call to action underscored the urgent need for support as both the arts and philanthropic sectors face national challenges.
The Spirit of Elysium Award was then presented by Mike Einziger to longtime volunteers Aly & AJ Michalka. Their acceptance speech—equal parts heartfelt and humorous—celebrated their years of service and included a touching dedication to Aly’s son, baby Jack.
A breathtaking vocal mashup by Yola and Leoni, weaving together “This Little Light of Mine” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, closed the dinner portion of the night. The performance concluded with the child and adult seated at Daniels’ own table, beginning the procession out—symbolically leading guests into the next phase of the journey.
Crossing the Threshold Back to Childhood
Before changing into pajamas, guests gathered once more on the Grand Lawn, where Jason Segel introduced a playful and tender performance by The Bob Baker Marionettes—a symbolic passageway from the adult self back into childlike wonder.
Attendees then slipped away to don their custom Christian Siriano HEAVEN pajamas, returning with the kind of excitement usually reserved for holiday mornings. The atmosphere shifted from elegance to enchantment.
In the Manor Bar, intimate performances by Thomas Dekker, Nikka Costa, Yola, The Brothers Koren with Ragan O’Reilly, and others created a sense of creative camaraderie.
(L-R) Isaac Koren and Thorald Koren of The Brothers Koren perform during The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025 After Party. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to guests, the formal dining room was being transformed into a full-scale childhood slumber party—an intentional return to the space where the evening began, but now reimagined through the eyes of a child.
The Room Where the Inner Child Lives
When the doors reopened, guests stepped into a fantastical world of balloon balls, glowing lights, cozy textures, and uninhibited play. DJs Ana Calderon and Daisy O’Dell energized the room, which featured a full karaoke setup, a photo booth experience by The Lost Poets, and a surprise welcome and performance by the real Bozo the Clown—David Arquette himself.
The simple act of wearing pajamas broke down barriers. People danced with abandon, belted out karaoke anthems, laughed deeply, and allowed themselves to be fully present. It was the rare kind of space where strangers became playmates and adults reclaimed parts of themselves long forgotten.
Shanola Hampton (L) attends The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025 After Party. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
The event was chaired by Nick Lebherz, Sima Morrison, and Johnny Wujek, whose leadership, creativity, and dedication brought the expansive vision of the evening to life.
Jennifer Howell, Founder & CEO, The Art of Elysium, and Sima Morrison attend The Art of Elysium Lee Daniels’ HEAVEN 2025 After Party. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
