As stars prepare to take the steps for the The Met Gala on Monday, Page Six hears nightlife guru Richie Akiva’s famed after party is still taking shape.
Sources tell Page Six that Akiva had been in discussions to have Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter host his famed bash at Casa Cipriani, titled “The Afters.”
Both superstar singers have attended the party in previous years.
But just days ago, Madonna decided to go in another direction, taking the “Espresso” crooner with her.
Madonna’s rep tells us: “She was never confirmed for any party.” Reps for Carpenter did not respond to request for comment.
Akiva tells us that the Material Girl simply had a different vision.
“They want to do something smaller,” says Akiva, who is known to throw major ragers.
We hear Akiva is still deciding where to hold his legendary bash. He’s hosted the party for over a decade, but it has been held at members club Casa Cipriani since 2022.
One source tells us it will could be at his former nightclub 1 Oak’s old space on 17th Street. Another source tells us it could still be at Casa Cipriani.
Reps for the venue did not get back to request for comment.
A source tells us that Teyana Taylor is hosting. And that DJ Black Coffee, Diplo and former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful are slated to attend. Another source tells us there is still a surprise host in the works.
“There was a door breach last year so we are going to be doing something more exclusive, since too many people got in,” Akiva tells us. “I want to bring it back to the original idea of this being very exclusive and high end.”
The party, now in its 12th year, has drawn A-list celebs over the years including Akiva bestie Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Serena Williams, Cardi B, Jared Leto, Zendaya, Serena Williams, Lizzo, Lana Del Rey, Camila Cabello, and more.
Meanwhile, Carpenter and Madonna, who just released the duet “Bring Your Love” from Madge’s upcoming “Confessions II” album, will be hosting their own party at Zero Bond, a source tells Page Six.
Reps for Zero Bond did not respond to request for comment.
The members-only spot is owned by Scott Sartiano, Akiva’s former business partner in Butter Group. We hear the estranged ex business partners haven’t spoken in ten years.
In 2018, four years after he had sold his shares in the Butter Group, Sartiano sued Akiva for $15 million, alleging Akiva had lied to him — claiming 1OAK and Up & Down were money pits and convincing Sartiano to let Akiva buy him out with a series of low-ball payments. The suit was dismissed last January, Page Six reported.
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