Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tomiko Put the Spotlight on Lupus at Charity Event

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:18:01 +0000

With co-host Malcolm-Jamal Warner by her side, Maybelline model Tomiko promised to put “the fun in fundraiser” at a charity soirée to raise awareness and funds for Lupus research in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The mission was accomplished. The event, sponsored by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation took on a 20’s Cotton Club atmosphere, complete with jazz band. Attendees dressed the part, helping to set a nostalgic tone amidst an event where the subject of Lupus was in the spotlight.

The cause to raise awareness about Lupus is very personal to Jada and Tomiko. In a serious tone, Jada explained that her high school friend, aunt and cousin all have been diagnosed with Lupus. For Tomiko, it is her sister that suffers from the disease. When asked what prompted her to create this event, Tomiko said, “I created this event out of the love for my sister.”

Tomiko is a role model for supporting this cause with passion, but was not the only model present; Mercedes Scelba from Season two of “America’s Next Top Model” was on hand to support the event. Mercedes has Lupus, and her condition was the focus of an episode of the show.

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Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tomiko Put the Spotlight on Lupus at Charity Event