Throwback Thursday: What Were the 2019 AIA Awards Really Like?

In Los Angeles, California, the calendar is usually filled with highly-anticipated awards shows, red carpet romps, and star-studded soirees... but the year 2020 looked a little different. With the spread of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders in effect, this part of our social lives has slowed to a temporary halt.

On this Throwback Thursday, we're blasting to the past with one of our favorite memories in recent years: attending the 2019 American Influencer Awards!

On November 18th, 2019, supermodels, reality stars, and the nation’s top beauty gurus gathered at the iconic Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, in Los Angeles, California for the second annual American Influencer Awards. As renowned celebrities and artists like Kim Kardashian, Tyra Banks, and Lala Kent arrived at the venue, attendees and nominees alike buzzed with excitement. The event, which recognizes “the greatest contributors and top talent in beauty across social media”, recognizes renowned and emerging social media beauty influencers in a variety of categories ranging from hair artists to lifestyle bloggers.

Doctors Justin and Sarah Yovino of Ideal Face and Body Beverly Hills made a highly anticipated appearance. The doctors have supported the American Influencer Association since the very beginning, proudly partnering with the award show this year and walking the pink carpet every year since the inaugural award show at The Novo LA Live in 2017.

“We’re huge supporters of our patients, and we love being a part of the inclusive influencer community,” said Dr. Sarah Yovino of their ongoing affiliation with AIA. Indeed, many of the awards show's nominees, presenters, and performers frequent Ideal Face and Body.

After arriving with the host, Patrick Starrr, the star-studded affair kicked off with interviews by the always effervescent Henry Vasquez of Hank and Henry on the hot pink carpet, a fun reinvention of the classic red carpet. Hank’s art and Henry’s heart lit up the atmosphere as he hobnobbed with each guest. He gushed over the Yovinos.

“I love them!” Henry exclaimed, “[Dr. Justin] did some stuff on my belly, and [Dr. Sarah]'s done some stuff on my face, helping all of this mug look a lot better!” he chuckled.

Ideal Face and Body is known for its celebrity facial and body treatments and is the home of the renowned PRECISION SCULPT® awake liposuction. These exclusively offered procedures allow Hollywood's elite, like Henry Vasquez and Nikita Dragun, to achieve the perfectly “snatched” waist and face!

The pre-party was held in the Dolby Theatre lobby and was filled with the who’s who of stars. As long time fans of “The Bachelor” enterprise, Drs. Sarah and Justin Yovino enjoyed schmoozing with Caelynn Miller-Keyes and Dean Ungler of the wildly popular spinoff “Bachelor in Paradise.”

The event was full of exciting and emotional moments, including a special appearance from Kim Kardashian West. She described the event as “a very special night.” Kardashian participated in the awards as a presenter, honoring her long-time makeup artist and BFF of 11 years, Mario Dedivanovic of Makeup by Mario, with the coveted Artist Achievement Award. The Hollywood Reporter described the presentation with the appropriate headline: “Kim Kardashian West’s Makeup Artist Mario Dedivanovic Steals the Show at 2019 American Influencer Awards”.

Supermodel Tyra Banks surprised Youtuber, beauty entrepreneur, and frequent visitor of Ideal Face and Body, Nikita Dragun, with the “Smize” Award. Dressed to impress and oozing confidence, Dragun proudly accepted the award.

“I stand before you a proud transgender woman,” she asserted confidently.

“Being a woman is so much more than my body, and what I have in between my legs,” Dragun elaborated, “it’s so much more than that number on a scale, or how many likes I get on a post… it’s something that no man or anyone else can take away from me… the future is woman!”

Just when the audience thought the excitement level had peaked, musical sensation Saweetie took the stage to perform her massive hit “My Type”. The crowd’s energy level exploded, temporarily transforming the show into a dance party.

Other fan favorites including James Charles, Manny Gutierrez of Manny MUA, and Jeffree Star missed the ceremony, but received nods to their contributions to the influencer community this year: Star’s cosmetics line, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, was crowned the 2019 Beauty Influencer Brand of the Year, while James Charles received nominations for 2019 Brand Collaboration of the Year and 2019 Makeup Influencer of the Year. Gutierrez also received a nomination for 2019 Beauty Influencer Brand of the Year.

As the event came to a close, AIA gifted the attendees with glam-filled goodie bags. Guests received gift bags stuffed with VIP-touted treats, including private discounts at the exclusive Ideal Face and Body in Beverly Hills and the Blue Blood palette from Jeffree Star’s award-winning cosmetics line.

However, the night didn’t end with the award show. Armed with their VIP gifts – and for some lucky influencers, armed with their shiny new awards as well – attendees kept the party going on Hollywood Boulevard.