"Best $2k I Ever Spent!" Being High Society In L.A., Sort Of...

L.A.'s social landscape is quite different than NYC's, specifically with respect to the high society world. Instead of galas and balls, we do Oscar after parties. But every so often an old school affair takes the town and brings out L.A.'s version of high society in their black-tie best, like Barbara Davis' Carousel of Hope Ball on Saturday. And apparently our variant of the city's crème de la crème includes folks like Rachel Uchitel.

The infamous Tiger mistress? How did that hot mess land an invite? you may be wondering. Well, she came as the guest of Jason Davis (Barbara's grandson), her castmate in the upcoming season of "Celebrity Rehab".  We'd venture to say this scenario pretty much sums up why L.A. has some trouble doing the whole high society thing: our socialites (Brandon Davis, Paris Hilton, etc...) are also Us Weekly and reality TV fodder.

But aside from the cast of "Celebrity Rehab", the charity event to benefit The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes drew real stars like Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Paul Sorvino, Quincy Jones, Jane Fonda, Adrien Brody, and Susan Lucci.  Guests enjoyed a performance by Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Gladys Knight, an elegant dinner dinner and silent auction.  To top it off, the ball also featured a Belvedere Vodka martini bar in the exclusive VIP lounge where guests sipped on signature cocktails before dinner.  No word yet on whether Uchitel finagled her way into that as well. Probably, right?

Garcielle Beauvais, Halle Berry, Vana White

Susan Lucci, Paris Hilton

[All photos courtesy of Mission]