Last Wednesday night, February 5th, Los Angeles Magazine celebrated the highly anticipated book launch for Hollywood Virgin, the mid-life memoir by author Jason Felts, Virgin Entertainment’s Founder, held at The Abbey in West Hollywood, CA. The book is also featured as Los Angeles magazine’s newest special edition February cover, in which Jason appears with Richard Branson and a montage of 2000’s notable celebrities, which debuted at the event.
The celebration took place at West Hollywood’s iconic The Abbey on February 5th, 2025, with event proceeds supporting the relief efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, a 501 c3 nonprofit. Proceeds from the author’s book sales will also support the Trevor Project.
The new memoir by Virgin Entertainment Founder and CEO Jason Felts, Spills the Tea on his career in the entertainment business. Too $hort performed hits for the tastemaker crowd such as Bossy and Blow The Whistle, following speeches by the LAFD Foundation, LA Magazine Publisher Chris Gialanella, and author Jason Felts.
Talent and notables on hand to celebrate with Jason Felts included Ashlee Simpson Ross, Evan Ross, Jodie Turner-Smith, Brian Austin Green, Too $hort, Lance Bass and husband, artist Michael Turchin, Lisa Vanderpump and husband Ken, Joe Simpson, Joel Michaely, Jasper Polish, Paola Paulin, Taylor McPherson, Ana Maria Perez, Amy Yasbeck, Justin Berfield, Kinya Claiborne, Jaz Bennett, David Weintraub, Barrett Perlman, Chad Spodick, Amanda Golka, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Derek Yates, Travis White, Shaka Smith, Sarah Evangelista, Chris Holmstrom, Josh Crandall, Albin Gielicz, Ewan Gotfryd, Charlie Travers, Ali Lasky, stylist Natalie Saidi, Dr Rod Berger, Jorge Ramirez-Martinez, Jarod Einsohn, Brandon Cohen, George Satsidis, Julien Crochet, DJ Nieto, Judah Johnson, Stocktip Dave, plus DJ set by Mer Bear.
As noted during the evening, Tara Gurlides, Development Director at the Los Angeles Fire Dept. Foundation spoke, and along with her, in attendance were several first responders who had been battling the fires, as well as Los Angeles Magazine publisher Chris Gialanella.
About Hollywood Virgin: More than a tell-all memoir about the business of show business from the founder and CEO of Richard Branson’s Virgin entertainment company (though book spills plenty of celebrity tea) ― Hollywood Virgin is about our collective love affair with Los Angeles and the hustle, risk-taking, fun, sacrifice and self-discovery that goes hand-in-hand with finding your authentic self, true friends and purpose in the City of Angels, with plenty of Aughties-era LA nostalgia thrown in.
Attendees enjoyed an evening full of lively celebration, including red carpet arrivals, signature Absolut vodka cocktails and Codigo 1530 Tequila on VIP Tables, a G.H. MUMM champagne welcome toast, themed bathrobes, delicious light bites, and fun tunes all night at iconic nightspot The Abbey in West Hollywood, aka Pink Pony Club. The book launch event was handled by The Influence.
