Vanessa Hudgens Hosts Star Studded VIP Event in Desert To Promote Caliwater
Actors Vanessa Hudgens and Oliver Trevena host Caliwater Escape from April 30th – May 2nd. The event took place in
Sadaf Tabibzadeh
Actors Vanessa Hudgens and Oliver Trevena host Caliwater Escape from April 30th – May 2nd. The event took place in Joshua Tree at the Mojave Moon Ranch (a Morgan Brown designed estate). Outdoorsy provided RVs and more to help launch their new cactus water beverage, Caliwater. The VIP weekend followed all covid-19 guidelines with pre-testing of guests and on-site protocols.
Caliwater’s ‘Wellness Weekend’ launch event focused on promoting the brand’s relaunch. Outdoorsy provided RVs and airstreams fully stocked with Caliwater, snacks by Candy Pop, and Take Out Puffs. More goodies included Vegan Pig Out Pork Rinds, Good Fish, Dragon Fly Coffee, Volition Beauty SPF, and MOBOT. Guests also received Lasso custom Caliwater socks, MIAGE Skincare, Resorts World Bar sets, and Plein bath products.
The California-based cactus water brand came to life during this desert getaway. Hudgens (High School Musical, Spring Breakers) and Young Hollywood host Trevelo (The Reckoning) are the new faces of the company that made this event happen. Here’s everything you need to know about the celebrity weekend retreat and the Caliwater brand.
A Star Studded Weekend Event at Joshua Tree
Guests got to bask in the sun and enjoy their time under the stars at the weekend-long retreat. They stayed in airstreams, campers and RVs from Outdoorsy, an RV rental marketplace. Talent attendees included Ross Butler, who is also a Caliwater investor and ambassador). Additionally, his 13 Reasons Why co-stars Alisha Boe, Justin Prentice, Anne Winters, Brandon Flynn, and Brandon Larrracuente, Ashlee Simpson Ross, and Evan Ross also made an appearance.
The star-studded desert getaway has plenty more names under its belt. Bazzi, Kyra Santoro, Bria Vinaite, Carmela Zumbado (You), Dean Geyer, Jillian Murray, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert(DWTS) showed up. Serina Swan (HBO Ballers), Natalie AlynLind (Big Sky/ABC) made the list too. Also worth mentioning are Zelda Williams, Kat McNamara, Emeraude Toubia, Jazmin Garcia, Alexander Deleon, Hudson Thames, and Haley Reinhart. More include Luke Baines, Bar Malik, Emma Zander, Giden Adion, Kristina Kane, Aaron Dominguez, Ajay Nwoso and Courtney Deitz. There was also Maxamilian Acevedo, Amerlia Zerbe, Natalie Saidi, Loreen Hwang, David Brackett, and finally, Hudgens’ sister Stella.
Many more VIPS, influencers, and industry notables graced the desert event. Resorts World Las Vegas presented DJ sets by Ruckus, Zen Freeman, and GG Magree. Barns Courtney’s performance closed out the festivities. Guests danced the night away, hanging out poolside and enjoying delicious cocktails at the Resorts World bar. Drinks included ‘JAJA Caliwater Escape’ from JAJA Tequila, ‘Socali and Mojave Mojito’ by SoCal Rum. Calamity Gin, Nue Vodka, and ‘Cali Style’ Desert Mule by Dos Hombres Mezcal were also offered. Similarly, Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards also offered their refreshing white, rose, and sparkling rose wines.
What is Caliwater? A Breakdown of Californian Cactus Water
Caliwater is a conscience beverage company that creates drinks from cactus plants. The drinks are organic, antioxidant rich water and are also advertised as being a great mixer. A functional beverage, Caliwater promotes healthy skin due to its high antioxidant levels as well as its ability to reduce cholesterol. In addition to that, the beverage regulates blood sugar levels, possesses antiviral properties, and is a natural hangover cure. Also, they are locally and fairly wild-harvested, and have half the calories and sugars of coconut water. Equally important, they decrease ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL), with studies showing overall levels dropping significantly.
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Additionally, these drinks have five naturally occurring electrolytes that help with hydration. In fact, each can contains only 25 calories, and come with the perks of being vegan, kosher, and non-GMO. It comes in two flavors: Prickly Pear, and Ginger + Lime.
How Did Hudgens and Trevena Become The New Faces of Caliwater?
Trevena joined Caliwater early on as a small equity owner and early investor. He then bought the brand and trademark from original co-founder Matt McKee. Before this switch, Caliwater was packaged in Tetra Pak cartons, but Trevena had new visions for the brand. To illustrate, these visions include new flavors and formulations. Moreover, there is a size upgrade to slim, 12 ounce cans with a focus on versatility and functionality.
Trevena and Hudgens spoke to Bevnet about their idea to build the cactus water brand. The co-founders share that it came to them on their trip to Mexico, when they ordered prickly pear margeritas. “Anyone who knows me knows I am terrible at drinking water,” says Hudgens. “I am always dehydrated, it is my biggest downfall. And Caliwater—literally I call it my candy water because it is so delicious.” Hudgens, being a California native, fits the role of being Caliwater’s new co-founder really well. She continues to actively promote the brand on her Instagram, which has over 40 million followers.
The founders were inspired by the lush and varied landscapes of California. With that in mind, Caliwater is defined by a drive to create innovative, fresh, functional beverages that connect us to the Earth and to one another. Accordingly, Trevena and Hudgens explored their own desert regions to locally source prickly pear cactus fruit. This fruit is known for its rare and potent healthful properties. Their vision is to sip on Cali in a can. Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit is brought to life as their first, brand new canned beverage product.
Caliwater is Health-Conscious AND Mission-Conscious
Health-focused, the desert getaway featured a collection of wellness and beauty activations. Artha offered massages, group yoga and Cryotherapy facials, Miage Skincare featured transformative skin products. Additionally, Mystic Starseed included tarot reading/reiki and sound baths. Timeless appeared in a customized RV offering clean and effective medicine vapes to their VIP attendees.
During the mornings, guests enjoyed Dragonfly Coffee Roasters, Mean Green Juice by VitaJuice, and Essentia. Chef Shane Fatemian of Soho House crafted delicious dinners and lunches in his breakfast burrito bar. Guests also enjoyed Shaman Raman organic ramen, and ice cream from Craig’s Vegan ice cream cart.
Sustainably sourced products are now more important than ever. People are more cognizant of how products are made, and companies are taking note of that. But sustainable sources aren’t the only thing on peoples’ minds: initiatives and missions carry importance too. On their website, Caliwater pledges to donate five cents for every can that is purchased a greater cause. This cause for is No Kid No Hungry, a nonprofit focused on ending childhood hunger in America. Caliwater aims to raise up to $1 million for the cause by April 2022.
Additionally, during the weekend retreat attendees got familiar with this conscious mission mindset. Poolside, guests wore eco-friendly fashion footwear styles from Cool Planet, Steve Madden‘s new sustainability line. The shoes were perfect for the desert vibe.
Available online direct-to-consumer, Caliwater will be sold as both individual drinks and as cocktail ingredients. Their website offers a sampler 4-pack that includes two cans of each flavor for $11.99. Then there’s also the Prickly Pear 12-pack and Ginger+Lime 12-pack that cost $32.99 each.
For more information on Caliwater, visit their website at drinkcaliwater.com. The site offers a fan club that promotes special offers and exclusive content.