Starlight Benefit Spotlights Pop Singer

Shy, soft-spoken pop singer Janet Jackson accepted the Starlight Foundation’s Humanitarian Award Saturday night, saying, “For me to be involved in a program honoring children is a special privilege. . . . I derive strength from the courage of the children.”

Jackson, other honorees and a handful of celebrities were at the Century Plaza for a 5 1/2-hour black-tie benefit for the international foundation, which grants wishes to critically, chronically and terminally ill children. The evening included a carnival, auction, speeches and celebrity appearances and performances.

While guests tried their luck at the carnival midway games (winning such high-end prizes as Ralph Lauren/Polo gear), the celebs gathered at nearby nightclub Twenty/20 for the requisite photo opportunity.

Benefit chairman Magic Johnson presented the award to Jackson, 24, but warned the media, “She’s shy. Don’t ask her too many questions.”

For the most part, the Southern California chapter’s eighth annual gala was standard format. But Peter Samuelson, co-founder of the organization with his cousin, actress Emma Samms, shocked the audience when he appeared on stage with a clean-shaven face. A scant few minutes before, Samuelson had had a full beard.

“You may think of Emma as my co-founder of Starlight,” he said. “I thought of her as my best friend, someone sensitive to me . . . and certainly as my contemporary. But Emma has wounded me this evening with bitter, bitter words.

“She made a special point of telling me that a wonderful Starlight volunteer came up to her earlier this evening and asked, ‘Is Peter Samuelson your father?’ That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I stand before you with a naked chin.”

Samuelson went on to more serious matters, such as explaining Starlight’s plans for two new programs: the Starbright Pavilion for live multimedia programming that could be broadcast to pediatric facilities and the Special Angel program, for wishes that need to be granted immediately. He then pressed the audience not only for more donations to Starlight but also for more innovative ideas.

Jackson, who just landed the largest recording contract in history with Virgin Records (an estimated $32-million three-album deal), wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of an award. Actor and teen heartthrob Kirk Cameron was given the foundation’s Children’s Friendship Award, and financial consultant Henry Wilf received the Founder’s Award.

Celebrities in attendance included Blair Underwood, Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse, dancer Fayard Nicholas, Barbara Eden, Crystal Bernard, Jaleel White, Heather Locklear, Holly Robinson and Brian Robbins, David Hasselhoff and several members of the Jackson family (but no sign of Michael).

The eclectic lineup of performers included the singing group Wilson Phillips and Michael McDonald, Shanice Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, Tevin Campbell and Natalie Cole.