Radio presenter Lauren Phillips marked a significant milestone in spectacular fashion, hosting a lavish 40th birthday celebration in the heart of New York City over the weekend. The star-studded event drew an impressive roster of famous faces, transforming an upmarket Manhattan restaurant into a hub of festivity and high-profile glamour.
A Glittering Guest List
The exclusive gathering featured a notable contingent from Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Among the distinguished attendees were acclaimed actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso, who added considerable star power to the proceedings. They were joined by Australian actress Pia Whitesell and her husband, prominent Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell, alongside English television and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon.
Capturing the Celebrations
Lauren Phillips, the Nova 100 host, documented the memorable evening on her Instagram, offering followers a glimpse into the celebrations. One photograph captured a radiant Lauren toasting the occasion with her fiancé, multi-millionaire businessman Paul O'Brien, both beaming with joy. Another image showed Paul sharing a laugh with Matt Damon, highlighting the convivial atmosphere.
The party was characterised by laughter, flowing drinks, and dancing, with Matt Damon contributing to the festive spirit by arriving with a bundle of gold balloons. Lauren captioned her social media post, 'New York Nights, Big Birthday Celebrations and Big pizzas', encapsulating the vibrant energy of the night.
A Private Romance Revealed
While Lauren Phillips has maintained a notably private stance regarding her personal life, the birthday festivities brought renewed attention to her relationship with Paul O'Brien. The couple have been engaged for nearly three years, with Lauren having announced the news live on-air in 2023. She recounted the surprise proposal, which occurred during a holiday in Mykonos.
'We went to Mykonos and met up with all of our friends and turns out I was the only person who didn't know about it,' Lauren explained. 'He proposed in front of all our friends. I had no idea and then next minute he was down on one knee.' She described the moment as an 'out-of-body experience', initially thinking Paul was joking before embracing him amid tears of happiness.
Paul O'Brien's Profile
Paul O'Brien is the founder and operator of AVMIN, a high-end aviation charter group whose clientele includes several celebrities, notably Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso, as well as power couple Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky. His previous high-profile relationship was with former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, which lasted from 2018 to 2019.
Lauren and Paul began dating in early 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, while she was residing in Melbourne. They subsequently lived together in Byron Bay, though they have consistently kept the details of their romance away from the public spotlight until recent revelations.
Reflecting on the proposal, Lauren expressed immense joy, noting that Paul had sought her father's blessing, which she described as a gesture of true gentlemanly conduct. The celebration in New York served not only as a birthday milestone but also as a testament to their enduring partnership amidst a circle of influential friends and associates.
