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The Xpedition Annual Gala Awards 2020 was held at the Sonoran Desert Camp resort last weekend and attended by celebrities, diplomats, and billionaires
Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, former Miss Earth Angelia Ong, and the reigning Miss Teen Universe Bibyana Marquez were among the guests
The ceremony was hosted by British K-pop fan and Dr. Phil star Oli London
Guests stood in close proximity to one another all night, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, and few attendees wore masks
There was also a raucous after-party thrown at the luxurious Boa nightclub
Josh Yugen, editor-in-chief of Xpedition Magazine and founder of the awards, brushed off the criticism he faced for hosting the event amid the pandemic
The Dubai-based socialite was described as being out of touch for reportedly spending upwards of $500,000 on the celebration during the COVID-19 crisis
By ZAK BENNETT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 19:11 GMT, 17 December 2020 | UPDATED: 19:49 GMT, 17 December 2020
Three beauty queens were among the celebrities, diplomats, and billionaires who partied the night away — without face masks — at an extravagant awards ceremony held in the middle of the Dubai desert as if the pandemic was a thing of the past.
The Xpedition Annual Gala Awards 2020 was held last weekend at the luxury Sonoran Desert Camp resort and featured appearances from former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, former Miss Earth Angelia Ong, and the reigning Miss Teen Universe Bibyana Marquez.
The lavish celebration marked the first time that three pageant winners with different crowns have come together for an event. Guests seemed worlds away from reality, with the attendees standing in close proximity to one another all night despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Beauty queens: Former Miss Earth Angelia Ong, Miss Teen Universe Bibyana Marquez, and former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach (L to R) attended the Xpedition Annual Gala Awards 2020
Party: The ceremony was held at the exclusive Sonoran Desert Camp resort in Dubai last weekend amid the pandemic
No worries: Josh Yugen, editor-in-chief of Xpedition Magazine and founder of the awards (second from right), brushed off the criticism he faced for hosting the event
Wurtzbach, who was crowned Miss Universe pageant in 2015 and has over 11.5 million Instagram followers, was honored with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award for her in-depth charity work with different charities, including Smile Train.
'It’s my first time to attend the event and despite the pandemic we are still here today,’ the 31-year-old said. 'I’m so glad that I am being recognized for my efforts in inspiring young people.'
Among the other attendees was Filipino actor and singer Bailey May, who won the Young Achiever Award for his work as a star member of the international pop group Now United.
The 18-year-old star was praised for his incredible talent as well as being a positive role model for his millions of fans.
Stars: The ceremony was hosted by British K-pop fan and Dr. Phil star Oli London (pictured with Wurtzbach)
All dressed up: Wurtzbach, who was crowned Miss Universe pageant in 2015 and has over 11.5 million Instagram followers, dazzled in a sparkly silver gown
Arrivals: The A-list guests arrived on camels, including Marquez (left) and international pop star Bailey May (right)
Problems: While the people working the event wore masks, very few guests did
Other notable guests included famed fashion designer Furne One of Amato Couture, who has created pieces for Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry; Philippine Ambassador to UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana; and the events founder, Filipino entrepreneur and Xpedition Magazine editor-in-chief Josh Yugen.
The show was hosted by British K-pop superfan and former Dr. Phil guest Oli London, who gained fame for spending $150,000 on plastic surgery to look like Korean BTS singer Jimin.
London, 30, was also the recipient of the Man of the Year Award for Entertainment at the star-studded ceremony.
When asked about the safety of the event, the aspiring singer cited Dubai's low infection rate and the precautions that were taken to protect guests. The ceremony followed strict Emirati government guidelines to keep all of the attendees safe and secure.
Living it up: Guests seemed worlds away from reality, with the attendees standing in close proximity to one another all night despite COVID-19 raging around the world
All smiles: Wurtzbach struck a pose with Philippine Ambassador to UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana
Backdrop: The lavish event was held outside in the middle of the desert at the exclusive resort
'For me personally, I was so happy to escape the oppressive lockdown rules in the UK, which are far more oppressive than even places like North Korea, and the UK has been totally shambolic in its handling of the virus,' London said. 'So I was very happy to be in a country with a very well-managed system in place and greater freedoms.'
He added: 'There were so many precautions taken for the effort and everything was done in a safe way to protect guests. Dubai has very low COVID infection rates and is very good at managing and limiting COVID infections.'
London has made a string of headlines over the last two years and most recently appeared on the BBC Three series ‘Being British Asian,' where he was criticized by the show's host for trying to look Korean despite being Caucasian.
He also caused a stir in January 2020 when he married a cardboard cutout of his K-pop idol Jimin in a Las Vegas ceremony that aired on Daily Mail TV after proposing to the K-pop star on U.S. talk show Dr. Phil.
Pulling out all the stops: The event reportedly cost upwards of $500,000
Gifts: Guests were gifted pink fringe shawls that were placed at each of their seats
Risky: While the tables were socially distanced, guests were still seated close together at their individual tables
Rules: The ceremony followed strict Emirati government guidelines to keep all of the attendees safe and secure
Not worried: Josh Yugen, editor-in-chief of Xpedition Magazine and founder of the awards (far left), brushed off the criticism he faced for hosting the event amid the pandemic
Big gig: The ceremony was hosted by British K-pop fan and Dr. Phil star Oli London (right), who was also the recipient of the Man of the Year Award for Entertainment
London has repeatedly defended himself by saying everything he does is cultural appreciation, not appropriation.
During the ceremony, the controversial reality star reportedly struggled with pronouncing awardees' names and had to be corrected multiple times by the distinguished guests.
One billionaire corrected the host at least three times; London was reportedly left red-faced after and apologized to guests profusely.
The after-party was held at the luxurious Boa nightclub, where guests downed bottles of Dom Perignon.
London reportedly got so drunk after the ceremony that he ended up smashing a whole table of glasses and passing out on the floor before being removed from the club.
Yugen, who is the owner and organizer of the awards, faced backlash online for holding the event as the virus continues to rage on.
Opinion: 'For me personally, I was so happy to escape the oppressive lockdown rules in the UK, which are far more oppressive than even places like North Korea,' London said
Famous: May won the Young Achiever Award for his work as a star member of the international pop group Now United
Katniss Everdeen: Wurtzbach showed off her archery skill at the star-studded ceremony
Inside the velvet rope: There was a raucous after-party thrown at the luxurious Boa nightclub (not pictured)
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Nothing stopping him: Yugen has a reputation for throwing some of the wildest and most lavish parties in the Middle East, and his latest event was no exception
The Dubai-based socialite brushed off the criticism, saying 'the event was held to recognize the outstanding charitable work of the awardees, to spread inspiration, and to encourage the attendees to work together to help inspire younger generations to do good in this world.'
Yugen added: 'I am proud to uplift the Phillippine flag and show everyone that we can be world-class.'
The total number of global coronavirus cases surpassed 74 million this week, with the death toll surging up to 1.64 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The United Arab Emirates has had over 188,000 cases overall and 626 deaths
Yugen, who has a reputation for throwing some of the wildest and most lavish parties in the Middle East, reportedly spent upwards of $500,000 on the event that was held in the heart of the exclusive desert resort — at a time when much of the world is facing tough lockdowns and extreme poverty.
The flamboyant awards founder was described by one guest as being out of touch with reality for spending so much money on the event just weeks after his native country suffered the worst typhoon in history.
Another compared Yugen to the late Shah of Iran, who was overthrown from power after hosting what was dubbed the most expensive party in history.
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