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.
Gleb Savchenko dips Hilaria Baldwin on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Jason Oppenheim poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
L-R: Derek Warburton, Cynthia Bailey, & Taye Diggs poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet – 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.
Slade Smiley & Gretchen Rossi pose on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Ashley Alexiss poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet wearing Suzy Levian Jewelry Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch & Courtney Ford pose 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.
Mary Bonnet wears Suzy Levian Jewelry while snacking on The Blonde Italian seasoned popcorn on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Ghost Media
L-R: Matt Dallas, Derek Warbuton, & Nicole Young pose on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Bill Wiedemann(CEO/Founder of Lumara) being interviewed by Ashley Foster at the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
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.
Gurus Award Winner & founder of Zemits, Dr. Olha Maikina, poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Laganja Estranja & Morgan Clae at the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards – Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
Rachel McCord poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
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: Lauren Falcione, Tricia Connor Jackson, & Laganja Estranja celebrate Tricia Connor Jackson on her Gurus Award Win for “Empowerment Through Reinvention” at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
Producer, Autumn Federici, and Taye Diggs celebrate in the winner’s circle after accepting the Storytelling Impact Award on behalf of the Lifetime Network at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
L-R: Matt Dallas, Michelle Toulmin, Gleb Savchenko, & other celebrate the Gurus Award Win for Community Excellence on behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles 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!
Sarah Jane Morris poses on the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Red Carpet Photo Credit: Robin L. Marshall
L-R: Derek Warburton, Tricia Connor Jackson, & Kimberly Kim embrace on the dance floor following the awards show at 2nd Annual Gurus Awards Photo Credit: Ghost Media
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.
The Sweet Easy dessert bar display by Luxe Bites at the 2nd Annual Gurus Awards – 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
