Sharon Torres, Elia Gabbanelli and Maritza Gonzales at ‘Latin.'
Ernest Hunter at ‘JDRF.’
Hallie Vanderhider, Cissy Abel, Elizabeth Stein (photo by Jacob Power)
“Chaired by trio Jennifer Barron, Kathryn Noser and original Victory founding member Jessica Younger, the high-octane event raised over $1.48 million for cancer research and programs in the Greater Houston Area,” noted a rep for the Victory.
Famous Houston meteorologist Frank Billingsley was emcee of the raucous affair, with buffet-style dining — think yummy Churrasco’s tacos, tequila tastings and tres leches — and fun Vegas-y gaming stations. Roulette, anyone? Johnny Bravo Halloway led a live auction, of which not one but two 2024 Ford Bronco Badlands 4-door 4x4’s. “A private dinner with Johnny Carrabba was also a huge hit,” the rep noted, “with guests outbidding each other for the coveted evening.”
The party went into overdrive — pun intended — when Skyrocket band took the stage and the multicolored dancefloor was lighted up.
VIP guests and Victory supporters included Cyvia Wolff, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Elizabeth and Alan Stein, and many docs and execs from Memorial Hermann Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Since 1987, Victory has raised more than $60 million dollars for cancer research and initiatives across the United States, the organization says.
Cyvia Wolff, Susan Blaney, Lisa McCoy (photo by Wilson Parish)
Jeff Quisenberry, Jeff Dyke (photo by Jacob Power)
Kathryn Noser, Jessica Younger, Jennifer Barron (photo by Wilson Parish)
Larianna Dunn, Samantha Derrett, Julia TenHoeve (photo by Wilson Parish)
Raquel Lewis, Jess Younger, Denise Leisten, Joni Ballis (photo by Jacob Power)
Robin and Danny Klaes, Kittsie Klaes (photo by Jacob Power)
Tony and Amber Bender (photo by Jacob Power)
Tracey and Michael Thomas (photo by Jacob Power)
Tracy Smith, Stephanie Morris (photo by Wilson Parish)
A handsome young local actor — Johann Fitch, who made a big splash in a small role in last fall’s Netflix hit Obliterated — appears on the cover. Fitch, coming in at number 79 on the 2024 list, turned in a revealing performance as a stripper. But the 23-year-old artist, also an accomplished soccer player, is much more than the Champagne Room show-off he plays in zany cop comedy. He graduates this month from UH with an economics degree, and he’s soon headed west to pursue acting full-time in Hollywood.
“We wanted the list to be surprising, sexy and fun,” says Editor-in-Chief Jeff Gremillion. “That’s what led us to Johann. He’s a great guy, and the camera loves him. He makes an ideal coverguy. We’re excited for his success and can’t wait to see what he does next. In some ways, he’s the epitome of the risk-taking, hold-nothing-back Houstonians who populate our Cool 100 list each year.”
Jhane Hoang, long a go-to photographer for CityBook, shot the young actor for the cover. Hoang also shot the previous cover of the magazine.
The rest of the list, including the number-one coolest person in Houston now, will be revealed soon. Sponsors for the Cool 100 include Exclusive Furniture, Le Tesserae, Jackson & Company, Bentley Houston, Insólito tequila and Avenue 360 Health & Wellness.
The new issue also includes stories on Houston’s best French restaurants and, in the travel section, reviews of fabulous new hotels in Paris and London.
