Paris Hilton, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Kris Jenner and Tommy Hilfiger turn out for star-studded Race to Erase MS gala

From left, Chris Zylka, Paris Hilton, Kris Jenner and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger attend the 24th Race to Erase MS gala at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on May 5.

By Ellen Olivier

May 6, 2017 2:20 PM PT

Given the FDA’s approval in March of the new drug Ocrevus to treat multiple sclerosis, organizers of the 24th annual Race to Erase MS gala had good reason to celebrate.

According to event host Nancy Davis, the research that event proceeds have funded over the years have included pilot studies for the drug.

“You dream forever and you have lots of events and then to see something like this, it’s like the home run,” Davis said. “[The new drug] is overwhelmingly exciting. It’s going to help so many people.”

The event

From left, Harry Hamlin, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Lisa Rinna and Amelia Gray Hamlin. (Rich Fury / Getty Images)

Honoring Jamie-Lynn Sigler, well known for her role on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” the star-studded May 5 soiree at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills featured appearances by Kathy Griffin, Lance Bass, Randy Jackson, Lisa Rinna and Quincy Jones and musical direction by David Foster.

Lance Bass, left, and Michael Turchin. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

The iconic rock band Chicago delivered a 45-minute concert after a dynamic performance by “Man in the Mirror” songwriter/singer Siedah Garrett and turns onstage by singers Shawn Hook, Trevis Brendmoe, Olivia Keegan and David Osmond.

Siedah Garrett performs at the Race to Erase MS Gala at the Beverly Hilton. (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images for Race to Erase MS)

The scene

Mariachi performers turn up the festive vibe at the Race to Erase MS event at the Beverly Hilton on May 5. (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images for Race to Erase MS)

In a nod to Cinco de Mayo, a mariachi band played as guests checked out the 500-item silent auction and later found guacamole, salsa and chips on the table the moment they seated themselves for dinner and the show.

“I figure that when people first walk into the ballroom, they just want to sit down and eat,” Davis said.

Nancy Davis, left, and Barbara Davis. (Rich Fury / Getty Images)

The honoree

In a conversation before the official ceremonies, Sigler, who only last year revealed her battle with MS, said she was diagnosed during her “Sopranos” years, when she was also playing Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway.

“It was hard for me to accept,” she said. “I felt well and healthy, but when I talked to the people I confided in, I was advised that it was probably best to keep it secret because people might limit me.”

Cutter Dykstra, left, and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. (Rich Fury / Getty Images)

But keeping the secret “was taking away from who I was,” she said. “It started to weigh on me, not just physically, but emotionally. … I decided I should be OK with being open and living my truth.”

Sigler said she wanted to thank people now for their support and to “work with it,” adding, “I’m grateful. I can sit here and rattle off all the things that have been taken away from me, but this has taught me about peace and surrender and how to appreciate. Everyone has something in their life, and this is my thing.”

The crowd

From left, Manuela Testolini, David Foster, Shaun Robinson and Kathy Griffin. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Race to Erase MS)

Other guests included Naya Rivera, Paris Hilton, Kris Jenner, Pia Toscano, Marg Helgenberger, Lizzy Greene, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Gilles Marini and Johnathon Schaech; dancers Sharna Burgess, Jenna Johnson, Lindsay Arnold, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd; songwriter Diane Warren and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.