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Mariah Carey, the newly minted bride-to-be of Australian casino billionaire turned Hollywood film producer James Packer, made a stunning debut on the G'Day USA red carpet in Los Angeles.
But the 45-year-old New York-born singer was upstaged in dramatic fashion – by her own engagement ring.
As the couple stepped onto the red carpet, all eyes were trained on the 35-carat diamond and platinum sparkler on her finger.
G'Day USA, the frivolous tip of an otherwise supposedly serious iceberg – Australia's trade mission in the United States – was held in LA's downtown district.
Each year the event honours several Australians of distinction. This year's "honourees" are Dr George Miller, for his contributing to Australia's creative arts sector, and actor Joel Edgerton, in recognition of his success as a writer, actor and director.
Among the political heavyweights in attendance at this year's gala were Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop, the new Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey and Australia's present Consul-General in Los Angeles Chelsey Martin.
Other VIPs in attendance included Village Roadshow chief executive Greg Basser, American producer/director Brett Ratner, Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes and Australian-born US television industry veteran David Hill.
First staged in 2004, the larger G'Day USA is a trade export promotion which focuses on a range of Australian industries, including food and wine, film and the arts, and other, less gilt-edged businesses such as oil, gas and technology.
In addition to the gala, which is held in Los Angeles, there are events staged by trade missions across the USA, including San Francisco, Houston, Washington D.C. and New York.
The gala featured a menu curated by Australian chef Neil Perry and American chef Neal Fraser; the event was hosted by actors Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths.
The event is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in tandem with Austrade and Tourism Australia.It is sponsored by a number of companies including the American Australian Association, Chevron, Westfield, Qantas and the Commonwealth Bank.
Mariah and james packer arriving at Gday USA @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/UGGrP7Rz95— Laura Turner (@LauraTurner_9)
January 29, 2016
HQ luke, ashton and michael at G'Day USA Gala ~M pic.twitter.com/QkybbA9Gai— 5SOS Daily Help ! (@5sosDailyhelp)
January 29, 2016
Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness on the red carpet at the #GDayUSA Black Tie Gala! #qflovesgdayusa pic.twitter.com/hQRrAToK1t— G'DAY USA (@GDAYUSAofficial)
January 29, 2016
Our 2016 #GDayusaHonouree Dr. George Miller & Editor Margaret Sixel. @MadMaxMovie #furyroad. pic.twitter.com/m33cZ4rsL1— G'DAY USA (@GDAYUSAofficial)
January 29, 2016