Alicia Keyes hosted her 5th Annual Black Ball yesterday – with a little help from Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Aniston's on/off beau John Mayer.

The event – which benefited the AIDS organization Keep a Child Alive – also attracted the likes of David Bowie, Tyra Banks, Elijah Wood and many more.

So how did Alicia bag such a steller guest list?

"I bat my eyes and I wink," she joked. "And we have great conversation, and they show up.

"It's a very important event."