Disney’s Prom Pact Premiere Afterparty
Name a more legendary event than the ‘80s prom… If nothing comes to mind, that’s because there isn’t one. And I had the chance to relive all the shiny, shoulder-padded, big-haired glory as the premiere event DJ at the Disney+ Prom Pact Premiere Afterparty on March 24, 2023.
Though Prom Pact doesn’t take place in the ‘80s, it does feature an '80s-themed prom at the center of the plot, as outcast besties Mandy and Ben make a pact to attend together in an act of rebellion against the elaborate prom-posals taking place at every turn. The ‘prom’ arc occurs alongside another in which Mandy embarks on a mission to tutor Graham, the most popular boy in school, in the hopes of receiving a commendation to Harvard from his father, a senator and Harvard alum. But, of course, things get messy along the way.
Prom Pact combines all the best elements of high school rom-coms and ‘80s nostalgia in one lovable film while somehow remaining refreshingly unique. So to commemorate, Prom Pact’s diverse cast and crew, along with Disney executives, fans, influencers, and content creators, were invited to an ‘80s prom-themed celebratory bash at The Ebell of Los Angeles. The night was drenched in neon with lots of fun nods to America’s favorite decade, like boom box props and a pink chevelle.
As you can imagine, the fashion was nothing short of fabulous as guests arrived clad in their finest ‘80s-inspired threads — a sequined salute to one of the most beloved bygone eras. Selecting my own fit for this glammed-out occasion was half the fun, and I found the most incredible vintage LBD with a giant pink fanned accent piece from Etsy retailer Hooked On Honey.
Naturally, my setlist consisted of a healthy dose of ‘80s music, from ‘80s pop to ‘80s new wave to ‘80s dance music. From there, I tied in‘80s-inspired current pop hits, like Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” The film’s soundtrack was another influence for me, specifically “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish and Imagine Dragon’s “Believer,” which was the main feature of a fan-favorite scene. This event also allowed me to throw in some of my most treasured ‘80s guilty pleasures, like “Club Tropicana” by Wham! and “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.
In addition to my curated tracks, I sprinkled in covers by Crowd Theory, a party rock cover band who perform energetic interpretations of popular hits from various genres. And, of course, I took special song requests. A very young cast member adorably requested Stevie Wonder’s “Part Time Lover,” and a Disney exec requested Madonna’s “Like A Prayer,” both of which were big hits with the crowd.
Between the fashion, the throwback jams, and the rom-com vibes, the night was basically like being in a John Hughes film in all the best ways. I’m the luckiest Hollywood DJ in the game to have performed at this blast of an event, and I’m so grateful to Disney+ and Damminger Productions for the opportunity.
