Read the story

The Sports Issue:

Uniting the Biggest Names in Hollywood With the Athletes They Admire Most

By Kirsten Chuba Plus Icon

Kirsten Chuba

Events Editor

kirstenchuba

Follow Sign Up

View All

September 4, 2026 11:17am

Inside the CAA Young Hollywood party on Sept. 3.

Inside the CAA Young Hollywood party on Sept. 3. Shanelle Huynh for CAA

It was a big night out for assistants on Thursday, as CAA hosted its 22nd annual Young Hollywood party.

The event serves as a benefit for Communities in School of Los Angeles, the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, and is put on entirely by assistants on the CAA Task Force. This year’s party was thrown under the theme of Old Hollywood, and transformed Avalon Hollywood with decor, activations, music, and food and drink all courtesy of in-kind donations.

“The Young Parties have raised more than $5.6 million for our nonprofit partners over the last 20-plus years, and these events are organized by our CAA Task Force,” CAA’s Richard Lovett explained. “Every year, a new group of assistants volunteer and become the Task Force. These colleagues take time to dream up the ideas, form the committees, rally support and execute events across our offices in L.A., New York City, Nashville, London and Munich. They are some of the youngest people in our company, and they’re leading by example. They care deeply about giving back, helping people in need, and making their communities stronger.”

Dozens of CAA assistants have been working for months to put the party together, planning for an evening that is a true celebration of assistants both inside and outside the company. Paramount, Untitled Entertainment and Assistants vs. Agents all purchased tables for their employees to enjoy a night out; some agents and stars also made an appearance at the event, with Elle‘s Lexi Minetree, Euphoria‘s Algee Smith, Carlos Eric Lopez, Chriselle Lim, Harry Jowsey and Huddy all in attendance. (Past attendees include Andy Cohen, Pedro Pascal, Tyriq Withers, Inde Navarrette, Serena Page, Ty Simpkins, Saniyya Sidney and Nicholas Chavez.)

Lexi Minetree Shanelle Huynh for CAA

Harry Jowsey and creator Fannita Shanelle Huynh for CAA

The party took over three levels of the Avalon, offering up plenty of activities with a tarot reader, portrait and hair tinsel stations, photo booth, makeup touch-up counter and a red carpet. Live music soundtracked the night while black and white movies streamed on one corner of the venue, along with drinks flowing from several bars and Pink’s Hot Dogs, Boa Steakhouse and a cannoli pop-up handing out bites.

These parties are a two-decade tradition at CAA, and each year are put on by a new group of assistants. Though there are similar events put on in New York, Nashville, London, and Munich — all supporting different nonprofit partners, and together raising over $270,000 in 2025 — the L.A. party is the biggest of the fundraisers. The L.A. event has supported Communities in School of Los Angeles since its origin, with funds directly supporting CISLA programs and providing funding for case managers for partner schools. Tickets were sold for $165 apiece, and an online auction also helped support fundraising efforts.

Josh Castro De Leon, an assistant in the Speakers department and a member of the CAA Task Force, spoke to the importance of the night, noting that the Task Force assistants “share the same thought and belief that we just want to be part of a group that makes the change,” adding it’s about “showing everyone within this industry what’s at the forefront, what’s important to us.”

Algee Smith Shanelle Huynh for CAA

CAA’s Arleta Fowler, Carlos Eric Lopez and CAA’s Elizabeth Brown Shanelle Huynh for CAA

Huddy Shanelle Huynh for CAA

THR Newsletters

Subscribe Sign Up

Alan Ritchson

‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson and His Wife Catherine Ritchson Announce Split After 20 Years of Marriage

Red Carpet

Stars Hit New York Fashion Week, Brad Pitt Debuts ‘Heart of the Beast’ and This Week’s Best Events

Salma Hayek Pinault

Colman Domingo Says “Men Should Be Locking Arms to Make Sure Women Have What They Need” at Kering’s Caring for Women Dinner

Icon LinkPlus Icon

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.