Darlings, if there’s one event where Vallarta’s glitterati can truly shine, it’s Jim Lee and Sean Carey’s Annual Academy Awards Party – and for their 20th edition, they pulled out all the stops. Held at La Catrina Cantina, the night was a swirl of sequins, speeches, and just the right amount of spirited behavior.
But let’s start with the real stars of the night – the fashion.
It’s one of the only events in Vallarta where guests can go full Hollywood glamour – and darling, did they deliver. One guest whispered to me that the women went all out, but most of the men… didn’t get the memo.
Still, with a dazzling display of sequins, satin, and jaw-dropping jewelry, it was a night worthy of the silver screen. The venue’s red carpet, flanked by life-sized Oscar statues, provided the perfect backdrop for the night’s best-dressed hopefuls.
And the winners were… The ever-elegant Elizabeth Herron took home Best Dressed, dazzling in a white bejeweled gown that earned her a Cassandra Shaw jewelry gift certificate. Disco Vinnie, over-the-top local DJ and true master of the “make an entrance” art form, arrived carrying his own Oscar statue (but, of course, he did!), earning him a Deja New Clothing Consignment gift certificate.
Not everyone agreed with the results. A notable gasp rippled through the room when one attendee, clearly convinced of her fashion victory, realized she would not be taking home the prize. To her credit, she quickly regained her composure. My lips are sealed on her identity.
Music, cocktails, and the party after the party… throughout the night, guests were serenaded during commercial breaks by four of Vallarta’s most dynamic performers: Tonny Kenneth, Alberto Ponce, Freddie Otello, and Armando Chakam. The crowd was even more thrilled when their after-party performances began.
Speaking of unexpected moments… Perhaps the biggest plot twist of the night? Jim Lee, a man famous for his long and winding martini-fueled speeches, actually kept things brief. Yes, you read that correctly. The very same Jim who, in years past, has been known to deliver monologues rivaling the Oscars themselves, suddenly handed the mic over to Sean mid-way through the night, ordered a martini, and enjoyed the rest of the evening as a guest.
The room fell silent – just once. While the night was full of fun, there was one moment that had the entire venue pausing – Zoe Saldaña’s heartfelt acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. Her emotional tribute to her immigrant parents and the way she thanked her husband and children struck a chord with the crowd. Several guests were seen dabbing at their eyes while others toasted their margaritas to a well-deserved win.
A room full of Vallarta’s social A-list. It wouldn’t be a Jim & Sean production without a gathering of Vallarta’s who’s who. Georgia Darehshori, society matron and longtime patron of the arts, took to the stage to present the Best Dressed Award, reminding everyone why Vallarta’s art and music scene remains as vibrant as ever.
Country singer Spencer Dailey, fully rhinestone-clad (because how else would one arrive?), was there with partner Todd Brock. And the stunning Kimberly LaRue, director and producer of Follies Vallarta, made an appearance looking every bit as glamorous as her productions. But the most popular guests – the sexy body-painted bartenders, created by local artist Miguel Angel – a Jim & Sean party trademark.
A grand prize surprise — In an unexpected twist, J.B. McLendon, a member of the Kinsey Sicks drag quartet, who had arrived last-minute from another Oscars event that mysteriously folded, walked away with the night’s grand prize – an all-expenses-paid getaway to Guanajuato.
The real star of the night? Generosity. Jim and Sean’s event raised a staggering 250,000 pesos for Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter and Casa Esperanza Guanajuato. And the biggest jaw-dropper? Part-time Vallarta resident Rikki Kipple’s check for $10,000 USD was presented to David Zude, the charity’s founder.
Overseeing it all was Freda Thompson, Vallarta’s undisputed queen of philanthropy, alongside Tammy Carruthers, both of whom now turn their attention to the biggest fundraising event of the season: What A Drag – March 9, 2025. Darlings, if you attend one event this year, make it this one. Last year, What A Drag raised a staggering 3,000,000 pesos for Casa Esperanza, and this year’s event is poised to be even bigger. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, do it today!
So, if you are invited to Jim & Sean’s Oscar Party next year, I advise you to RSVP quickly. It was glamorous, highly entertaining, and a sold-out night many will remember for years to come.
Until next time, loves – keep your heels high, your tequila chilled, and your secrets safe (unless, of course, they make for a fabulous column).
Kisses,
Ava
About The Social Insider PV
Ava James, a Southern belle turned Puerto Vallarta socialite, has spent the past 15 years immersed in the city’s most dazzling events. Known for her fabulous parties and deep ties to the local charity scene, she has a front-row seat to the who’s who and what’s what of Vallarta’s social pulse. With an eye for elegance and a taste for the extraordinary, Ava brings readers the inside scoop on the town’s most talked-about soirées, cultural happenings, and can’t-miss events.
