Jennifer Lopez Surprised Her Childhood Friend Kerry Washington to Honor Her at an Unforgettable Evening

“I’m going to do what all of your second wives in Beverly Hills have done—take your cash,” exclaimed E! News host Justin Sylvester as he introduced the text-to-pledge information. As large screens flashed with real-time donations and personal messages, a note from Kyle Richards could be seen dedicated her donation to her late mom, Kathy, who passed away from breast cancer in 2002. Beside Richards, her sister Kathy Hilton and their friend Kris Jenner looked equally as moved by the moment. At a table nearby, content creator Bridget Bahl, who once poignantly shared her experience battling breast cancer with Vogue, looked radiant with her husband, Dr. Mike Chiodo, at her side.

When Jamie Alexander Tisch, a co-founder of WCRF, reappeared on stage, she made a last-minute addition to the program, inviting a mystery guest to “present this year’s Courage Award to her friend from the Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx.” As Kerry Washington, the recipient, looked on in total shock, Jennifer Lopez emerged onto the podium.

“She likes to joke that I taught her how to dance. As kind as that is, Kerry never needed me to teach her anything,” Lopez praised. “Her true brilliance shines off camera, where she uses her voice for purpose, advocating for those who need to be heard. Making tonight even more personal, she’s joined by her mom, Valerie Washington; a four-time cancer survivor.”

Washington, still flustered, eventually joined her childhood friend on stage. “The word courage comes from the French cœur—I don't know if I said that right, I speak Spanish not French! But courage comes from the heart,” Washington mused. “The only person who should be getting this award is my mother.” The Scandal star proceeded to read emotive pages from her memoir Thicker Than Water recalling Valerie’s most recent diagnosis—holding back her tears until the very last line: “I'm so glad you're here, mom.”

There was one more surprise in store: a performance by Demi Lovato that prompted the entire ballroom to jump to their feet and sing along to Sorry Not Sorry and Cool for the Summer. An after-party, with music by 13lackbeard, provided another reason to stay out late on a school night—yes, even on Oscars week. Others, however, took their cue to head home shortly after Lovato’s mic drop, grabbing a Levain cookie, and a gift bag filled with treats from Anastasia Beverly Hills, Sezanne, APL, Estee Lauder, Cult Gaia, and Emi Jay on the way to the valet.