In the run-up to the biggest night on the film industry calendar (26 February), we reveal the luxurious (and somewhat absurd) contents of the nominees’ unofficial “Oscars goodie bag”, reportedly worth a jaw-dropping R2.6 million.
The “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags, is not endorsed by the Academy but is independently put together by LA-based marketing company Distinctive Assets. The gift bags are sent to all 25 nominees in the Oscars acting and directing categories.
In the past, the over-the-top swag bags have included everything from personalised M&Ms, a 10-day walking tour of Japan, R3,600 black toilet paper, sex toys and a Vampire Breast Lift – which uses a patient’s own blood to enhance their cleavage without implants.
2017 Goodie bag highlights
Lucky nominees like Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Octavia Spencer, Dev Patel, Viola Davis, Nicole Kidman, Casey Affleck and Meryl Streep will all be sent the world’s most-talked about swag bags in the run up to the Oscars. Here’s our pick of the most weird and wonderful highlights.
A R286,000 stay at Lost Coast Ranch in California
Guests are catered to by a private chef using locally sourced food at the Lost Coast Ranch
Nominees will get to take all their friends or family for a private 3-night stay at this exclusive 18-bedroom mansion, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Californian coast. Guests will enjoy gourmet dining, a billiard room and hikes on the idyllic 1200 acre property.
A R158,000 Hawaiian holiday
Villa guests at Koloa Landing Resort can stock their kitchens at the Gourmet Marketplace deli
One of the best freebies in the goodie bag is the chance for nominees to sun themselves on a six-day Hawaiian getaway at a luxury villa on the Kauai coast. The Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu offers expansive villas with panoramic ocean views, gourmet kitchens and lavish finishes. Guests can take helicopter rides through the rainforest or surfing lessons.
A R116,000 spa break
The bamboo forest at the Golden Door
After the hectic buzz of the Oscars, nominees can unwind at one of the world’s most exclusive spas with a week-long stay at the Golden Door in San Diego. Surrounded by 600 rolling acres of mountain forests, the spa has hosted heads of state, royals and celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Oprah Winfrey.
Guests will be guided through 7 days of body and mind rejuvenation including hikes, fitness classes, spa treatments (with a daily massage) and mindfulness sessions. Motivational speakers are also on the agenda.
The celebs will be able to pick their own veggies from the Golden Door’s organic gardens and will take “clean eating” cooking lessons. Alcohol, cigarettes, salt and butter are not allowed – except for wine on the last night!
A R75,000 long weekend on Lake Como
Suite Great at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo – one of Greta Garbo’s favourite hotels
Oscar nominees can meet up with George Clooney in his holiday destination of choice, Lake Como in Italy, with a R25,000-a-night stay in a luxe suite at the iconic art nouveau-style Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Guests can whizz across the lake in the hotel’s “water limousine” and enjoy the fine dining and opulence of one of Lake Como’s most historic hotels.
A R65,000 five-star hotel stay
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Oscar hopefuls can live the high life with a three-night stay in a suite at the 183-year-old Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy. Situated high on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples, the historic hotel features breath-taking views, a Michelin-starred chef, a spa and gym and a white marble swimming pool.
R20,000 in personal training sessions
As if they’re not already in peak condition at the Oscars, nominees will be whipped into shape afterwards by LA celebrity trainer, Alexis Seletzky, with 10 sessions, costing R2,000 a pop.
R100,000 in beauty products
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation
A favourite in Tinseltown for immediately covering up signs of cosmetic treatments while speeding up recovery, a 10-year supply of Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation (R1,140 per bottle) and Oxygenating Moisturizer (R1,063 per bottle) – both available in SA at the Sandton Aesthetic Institute – are included in the goodie bags.
In addition to other beauty and make-up products, nominees will also get a year’s supply of Healing Saint Luminosity Skin Serum (R1,900 per bottle) and Healing Saint Hair Follicle Stimulant (R600 per bottle).
Diamond bracelet
Diamond and gold OM Bracelet from YogaJewelz
Hollywood’s finest will also walk away with some bling in the form of a 14K solid gold and diamond encrusted OM Bracelet from YogaJewelz worth around R7,800.
The more “out there” gifts
The swag bags are not all glitz and glam, this year they include underarm sweat patches, diet pills, a cellulite massage mat, energy bars and a year’s supply of naturally non-browning Opal apples.
Kegel like a celeb with the Elvie pelvic floor exercise tracker
From “out there” to “in there”, the gift bags also include a pelvic floor exercise tracker to “get more out of your kegels”. The R2,600 Elvie is a small, pebble-shaped pod that you insert into your vagina as you would a tampon. It links to an Elvie app on your phone which tracks your five-minute pelvic floor workouts.
One of the most unusual gifts comes from the American Heart Association whose CPR Anytime Kit will teach celebs CPR in just 20 minutes.
There’s also a customised box of Crayola crayons with the nominee’s name on the box and on a special gold-coloured crayon inside.
The cheapest gift is a R65 ChapStick.
