I know I can’t be the only one, but it feels that way sometimes when I bring up the $225,000 in gifts given to each of the 24 top nominees. Folks keep giving me the same wide eyed stare, as if they weren’t aware Distinctive Assets gives away millions of dollars in gifts to Oscar nominees, every year! Last year it was over $2 million, and this year that number more than doubled with a total $5.4 million in giveaways to all the top nominees combined. That’s a lot of free stuff, but here’s the kicker: it’s not all just “stuff.”
Beyond the $150 gold-plated vape pen that was apparently included specifically for Leonardo DiCaprio (Distinctive Assets founder, Lash Fary, is quoted saying “Leo was our inspiration,” for the pen), most of the value in the gift bags comes from highly sought after experiences, not tangible goods. I mean sure there’s plenty of novelty objects like the Hfactor “hydrogen-infused” water ($29.99 a pouch), or the Hotsy Totsy Haus amethyst bath bombs ($75) or even the brainwave-sensing meditation headband by Muse ($250), all of which were a part of this year's “gift bag." - It’s technically a suitcase full of gifts that gets delivered to each nominee, not a bag, but that’s not the point. What's important is that the most valuable gifts in each suitcase were actually amazing opportunities, like a 12-day cruise on the Scenic Eclipse. Now I don’t know about you, but I would take a free trip on a yacht for 220 guests, with butler service, two helicopters and a spa, any day. Valued at over $78,000, the Scenic Eclipse is the most extravagant gift in Distinctive Assets’ history. Guests can even take excursions to Antarctica, the Mediterranean, and for the more intrepid traveler, there’s also a trip on a submarine capable of diving 1,000 feet. No big deal.
But here’s what is a big deal, in fact it’s the reason I’m even writing this, but one of those experiences (and the second most expensive item in the bag), is $25,000 worth of cosmetic procedures by a facial plastic surgeon right here in the Upper East Side! That’s right, facial rejuvenation specialist, Konstantin Vasyukevich MD, whose office is located right on 79th street between Lexington and Madison Avenues, is the one and only physician included in the Oscars 2020 gift bag. I don’t know about you but that’s pretty exciting to me. We always think celebrity surgeons live in LA and drive fancy sports cars and charge way more than average just because they serve the stars. But it turns out the real celebrity surgeon is right in our own neighborhood, takes the subway just like us, and serves local New Yorkers like you and me on a regular basis. Now that’s something to be proud of I think. If anything it’s something to keep in mind the next time you hear of someone looking for an expert facial plastic surgeon or facial rejuvenation specialist. It just goes to show you that NYC really does have it all. Oh, and congrats to Parasite! All of the nominees were amazing this year but if you haven’t seen that movie yet, what are you waiting for? I mean it only won Best Picture. Okay that’s all from me. I’d like to thank the Academy, God, and my mother. Thanks, mom!