The stars shimmered at MADONNA's benefit for Raising Malawi and Unicef in New York City on Wednesday night.

Madonna, who brought daughter LOURDES as her date, told our STEVEN COJOCARU on the red carpet that she was nervous, and that she made a lot of phone calls to her celeb friends about the big night.

A-list friends who came through included celeb couples TOM CRUISE and KATIE HOLMES, mommy-to-be JENNIFER LOPEZ and husband MARC ANTHONY, and DEMI MOORE and ASHTON KUTCHER -- just a few of the heavy hitters who turned out for the benefit.

More major names at the event included GWYNETH PALTROW, DREW BARRYMORE and main squeeze JUSTIN LONG, KIMORA LEE SIMMONS, DJIMON HOUNSOU, LUCY LIU, SEAN "DIDDY" COMBS, MOLLY SIMS, DONALD and MELANIA TRUMP and ANGIE HARMON, while RIHANNA, ALICIA KEYS and TIMBALAND performed and CHRIS ROCK hosted an auction.

The event, dubbed "A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and Unicef," was co-hosted and underwritten by design house GUCCI and was one of many events taking place during New York's Fashion Week. The proceeds will benefit orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.