Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton join George Clooney and Oprah at the Carousel of Hope Ball

The Carousel of Hope Ball is traditionally held every two years in Los Angeles, California at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, but this year of course proved different. 

For the first time since its inception in 1978, the 34th annual edition of the starry fundraiser gala went virtual, welcoming celebrities including Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, George Clooney, Oprah and Tom Hanks via video meeting on Saturday night.

The event, this year hosted by Jay Leno as the master of ceremonies, has to date raised over $110 million dollars towards finding a cure for diabetes. 

Performers: Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton performed for The Carousel of Hope Ball on Saturday night

Holding court: Oprah Winfrey appeared during the event, benefiting the Children's Diabetes Foundation

Holding court: Oprah Winfrey appeared during the event, benefiting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation

Sweethearts Stefani and Shelton serenaded viewers of the event – which was available for public viewing for the first time in the event’s history.

The event also welcomed performances and special appearances from other stars, like Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, Clive Davis, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Josh Groban, Cynthia Erivo, Sam Smith, Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, Adam Lambert, Barry Manilow, Diane Warren and Dionne Warwick.

Jane Fonda, David Geffen, Anjelica Huston, Rob Lowe, Henry Winkler, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Judge Judy Sheindlin, Dame Joan Collins and Robert De Niro were some of the other stars to attend and participate in the event.

Making a showing: Both Tom Hanks and George Clooney also attended remotely, for the first-ever virtual edition of the event

Making a showing: Both Tom Hanks and George Clooney also attended remotely, for the first-ever virtual edition of the event

Making a showing: Both Tom Hanks and George Clooney also attended remotely, for the first-ever virtual edition of the event

What a smile: Previous Brass Ring Award recipient Jane Fonda also lent her presence

What a smile: Previous Brass Ring Award recipient Jane Fonda also lent her presence

Performing: Musical guests included Kenny G

Performing: Musical guests included Kenny G

Funnyman: The event, this year hosted by Jay Leno as the master of ceremonies, has to date raised over $110 million dollars towards finding a cure for diabetes

Funnyman: The event, this year hosted by Jay Leno as the master of ceremonies, has to date raised over $110 million dollars towards finding a cure for diabetes

Carousel Chairman Barbara Davis – who turns 90 this year – and her committee organized fundraising at the gala through sponsorships, a live and silent auction, underwriting and contributions.  

Proceeds of the event benefit the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes – which fetes its 40th anniversary this year.  

Sir Michael Caine, David Copperfield, John Elway, Lionel Richie, Sir Rod Stewart, Pia Toscano, and Usher also joined the starry line-up.

More musical interludes: Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo sang with Sam Smith, as well as Adam Lambert for the event

Sharing her thoughts: Maria Shriver also made an appearance at the event, which was viewable to the public via livestream for the first time

Sharing her thoughts: Maria Shriver also made an appearance at the event, which was viewable to the public via livestream for the first time 

From the heart: Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson also sang at the virtual show

From the heart: Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson also sang at the virtual show

Crooner: Adam Lambert wore a lovely floral shirt when he performed

Crooner: Adam Lambert wore a lovely floral shirt when he performed 

The last Carousel of Hope Ball took place in 2018.

That event honored Robert De Niro with the Brass Ring Award – a prestigious prize previously bestowed upon the likes of Frank Sinatra, Hillary Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Clooney, Fonda, Sir Sidney Poitier, David Foster, Halle Berry, Sherry Lansing and more.

2018’s gala alone raised close to $2million in the fight against diabetes.

Legend: The event also welcomed a performance from Sir Rod Stewart

Legend: The event also welcomed a performance from Sir Rod Stewart 

Singing star: Lionel Richie also shared words

Singing star: Lionel Richie also shared words

Harmonizing: David Foster, Pia Toscana and Andrea Bocelli performed during the ball

Harmonizing: David Foster, Pia Toscana and Andrea Bocelli performed during the ball

Hollywood legends: Anjelica Huston and Robert De Niro were some of the other stars to attend and participate in the event

Hollywood legends: Anjelica Huston and Robert De Niro were some of the other stars to attend and participate in the event

Hollywood legends: Anjelica Huston and Robert De Niro were some of the other stars to attend and participate in the event

Casual: Actor Rob Lowe attended remotely from the back of his pickup truck, with a surfboard visible in the back

Casual: Actor Rob Lowe attended remotely from the back of his pickup truck, with a surfboard visible in the back

Musical treasure: Gladys Knight was also a participant in the starry event

Musical treasure: Gladys Knight was also a participant in the starry event

Smiles: Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson attended from a garden

Smiles: Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson attended from a garden 

Singing in unity: In this screengrab, Barry Manilow (upper left) performed with many others during the gala

Singing in unity: In this screengrab, Barry Manilow (upper left) performed with many others during the gala