Bela Bajaria Appears at LA Gala Weeks After Netflix Exit

Weeks after her departure from Netflix, former Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria surfaced publicly to co-chair the Saban Community Clinic's 50th Anniversary Dinner Gala. The event, held Monday night at The Beverly Hills Hotel, brought together a significant number of Hollywood's top executives and talent.

Bajaria shared hosting duties with WME co-chairman Richard Weitz, former NBC president Warren Littlefield, and Ellen Hoberman, who was recognized for her extensive tenure leading the event. Comedian Alex Edelman served as the evening's emcee, and Aloe Blacc provided a musical performance. During his remarks, Edelman quipped about the current state of the entertainment industry, mentioning "Paramount executives holding on for dear life" and individuals "too afraid of Richard Weitz to not buy a table."

An attendee described the gathering as a "who’s-who of Hollywood, with some of the biggest decision-makers in television and film working the room and doing a little wheeling and dealing." The gala also highlighted the Saban Community Clinic's expansion plans, including a new Crenshaw Health Center, and successfully raised $2.2 million.

Richard Weitz led a tribute to Bajaria during the evening. Among the honorees were Peter Friedlander, head of global TV for Amazon MGM Studios, who received the Friends Leadership Award presented by actor Walton Goggins. Former Showtime CEO David Nevins was honored with the Lenny Somberg Volunteer Award, with Connie Britton presenting.

Other notable guests included George Cheeks, newly elevated co-chair and chief content officer of Skydance TV; Albert Cheng, Amazon Studios' AI chief; Jinny Howe of Netflix; actor Jimmy Smits and his wife Wanda De Jesus; Pearlena Igbokwe of NBCUniversal; Amy Reisenbach, CBS Entertainment president; Katherine Pope of Sony Pictures Television; Brett Paul of Warner Bros. Television; Nick Grad of FX Entertainment; former FOX Television Group CEO Gary Newman; former NBC and FOX entertainment chief Kevin Reilly; A24 partner Ravi Nandan; CAA agents Chris Silbermann and Mitch Rose; attorney Ken Ziffren; former Television Academy CEO Bruce Rosenblum; Jim Packer of Lionsgate; Barry Jossen of A+E Studios; Bob Gersh; Marty Singer; Dan Fogelman; Sarah Timberman; and Ed Redlich.

Bajaria's appearance at the gala follows her exit from Netflix. She was also reportedly seen at the All That Glitters Diwali Ball in New York earlier this month, appearing in good spirits.