TOTALLY GEEKED!

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Dad spends $39k for daughter's third birthday

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Birthday Party for 3-Year-Old Daughter
Rachel BertscheWriter
May 26, 2015
Rachel Bertsche
Dad Defends $39K Birthday Party for 3-Year-Old Daughter

Eric Lembo and Trang Nguyen paid almost $39,000 for their daughter’s Disney-themed third birthday party. (Photo: Dave and Charlotte Photography)

A father is defending his decision to throw his daughter a nearly $39,000 third birthday party after critics said the affair was unnecessarily extravagant.

Eric Lembo and Trang Nguyen, parents in Perth, Australia, threw their daughter, Lauren, a 220-person birthday party last week, according to the Perth Now Sunday Times. “The day wasn’t all about the money,” Lembo said Tuesday, answering those who called the fete “wasteful” and “vulgar.”

The Disney-themed soiree included entertainment from a former Australian Idol contestant, a balloon artist, photo booth, children’s high tea, and a menu the included tempura scallops, truffle arancini, pork belly, cognac and a Disney cake. Minnie and Mickey Mouse walked around greeting guests. The lavish event, which was held at the reception venue owned by Lembo, had a price tag of $48,195 Australian dollars, according to the paper, which is just about $39,000 USD.

The lavish party included Lauren’s name in lights, an oyster bar, tempura scallops, and entertainment from an Australian Idol contestant. (Photo: Dave and Charlotte Photography)

STORY: Happy Ending for 6-Year-Old After Nobody Shows Up to His Birthday Party

“The Italian and the Vietnamese cultures have a large first birthday so we decided to do it for her second and third birthday as well,” Lembo told Perth Now. “It has really become a party not just for Lauren but for all of my family and friends to get together. That’s very important to me.”

Not surprisingly, little Lauren loved her party. “She thought it was amazing,” Lembo said. “Her face lit up. ”

Eric Lembo plans to throw a similarly extravagant party for Lauren’s fourth birthday. (Photo: Dave and Charlotte Photography)

But comments on the article on and Perth Now’s Facebook page, where the article was shared 324 times and got nearly 2,500 comments, were less impressed. “Even if it cost him a fight of that it is still obscene for a three year old. Or a ten year old. Or a 16 year old,” wrote a commenter named Eric. “They are setting this child up to be a spoiled brat.” Another commenter, Val, wrote: “Imagine how many blankets and meal this would have brought for families in need and the homeless.” And from Vicki: “What a waste of money! Imagine how much food that could buy for people who are starving hungry and have no roof over their heads. That party was not about their child so much as it was about the parents grandstanding. Shameful display of materialism.”

STORY: Lavish Bar Mitzvahs and Sweet 16s: How Much Is Too Much?

Some critics said Eric Lembo should have donated the money he spent on the party to charity. (Photo: Dave and Charlotte Photography)

Lembo shot back at his critics on Tuesday, defending his decision and saying that he plans to throw another lavish party for Lauren’s fourth birthday. He told Perth Now that the event was about friends, family, and marketing his event space, not just the price tag. He also said he regularly donates to charity – including footing the bill for a terminally ill cancer patient’s wedding and donating $1,000 lunch vouchers to charity auctions – and that he was proud to be helping the local economy with his pricey party. “One of the comments was that we should send our daughter to a refugee camp so that she can learn the value of money,” Lembo told Perth Now. “That’s very funny because Trang and her whole family came to Australia from a refugee camp.”

Lembo has plenty of supporters on Facebook as well. “Still a ridiculous amount of money for a child’s birthday party. But, perhaps if we all had money to burn, we’d do the same thing, who knows? Least he is a present father, that clearly loves his child,” wrote one named Cara. Added Ngaroma, “Stop being judgmental… Their child, their money however they want to spend it.. Good on them.”

As for next year, Lembo says he can’t wait for Lauren’s big day. “I am going to inject more money back into the community next year, for Lauren’s fourth birthday.”

Please follow @YahooParenting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Have an interesting story to share about your family? Email us at YParenting (at) Yahoo.com.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

He says if you could see his daughters face you would see the joy. It's hilarious because in every picture on that article she looks like she's about to cry. Not one smile. Anyway, his money. He can do whatever he wants with it. But it's stupid IMO.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

And now I'm thinking down the road. What about sweet 16? And when she drives? And the inevitable wedding! OMG Fatherzilla.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

The party was not for her. The party was for them to show off.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Lawyerlady wrote:
The party was not for her. The party was for them to show off.

And that they did!

TrudyML · Guru

He owns the hall. It was all about him showing off his hall.

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

His money. And he must have a lot of it.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Yep. His money. He can do whatever. I wouldn't. But then I'm not him.

FNW · Guru

Sounds like a lot of work. I threw a party for the boys at 1 and 5. Not doing it every year. We do something special, just us and my parents. The boys want to go back to Chuck E. Cheese again this year. Went back and forth with mini golf but decided CEC is where they want to be.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

What kind of 3-year old likes that food?

I haven't seen the photos, but I'm sure she was overwhelmed...

flan

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

True FNW but he's not actually DOING the work. He's hired people to do it.

Ohfour · Hooker

Throwing money into the economy. If he has it to burn, I have no problem with this. People were paid. That's always a good thing...

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

flan327 wrote:
What kind of 3-year old likes that food?

I haven't seen the photos, but I'm sure she was overwhelmed...

flan

I couldn't get the photo's to transfer. I could have done the cut and paste thing but I got the article and was happy! He says she's thrilled but she's clearly NOT thrilled. I mean, I'm sure she enjoyed it but I honestly don't think it mattered one bit to HER.

FNW · Guru

He had me at Cognac.

NAOW · Vette's SS

Oh. Uh. So I shouldn't spend $40,000 on Baby A's first birthday next month? Darn, I'm sure that will break her heart.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Thanks, NJN. I saw the photos.

flan

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

She doesn't look happy does she?

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
She doesn't look happy does she?

She looks like a sad little doll who can't just BE A KID!

flan

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
flan327 wrote:
What kind of 3-year old likes that food?

I haven't seen the photos, but I'm sure she was overwhelmed...

flan
I couldn't get the photo's to transfer. I could have done the cut and paste thing but I got the article and was happy! He says she's thrilled but she's clearly NOT thrilled. I mean, I'm sure she enjoyed it but I honestly don't think it mattered one bit to HER.

Exactly! And the menu didn't even make sense - shrimp tempura and pork belly? Get a theme brother! It just didn't seem like $39k worth of anything to me.

I hope he has already saved for her college education.

Her wedding is going to be a nightmare. She looks totally UN thrilled in the pics. I actually feel badly for her. Money spent on a party doesn't equal love. I bet she would rather have spent the time with her parents and grandparents.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

With 220 guests, how many freakimg presents did she get? What did they do with them all?

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Yeah, she definitely DOES NOT look happy. The menu was less than stellar for that much money. And I dread the wedding. Dad is going to be a nightmare. He will be the first Fatherzilla.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Mellow Momma wrote:
With 220 guests, how many freakimg presents did she get? What did they do with them all?

I hope he also bought a lot of thank you cards.

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

NAOW wrote:
Oh. Uh. So I shouldn't spend $40,000 on Baby A's first birthday next month? Darn, I'm sure that will break her heart.

That was a quick year! Maybe not for you since you had the new baby lack of sleep year but it sure seems fast to me.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Money is relative. If they are rich, then so what? If they have the money and that is what they choose to do with it, it is no dumber than anything else anyone else does with their money.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Yeah, she definitely DOES NOT look happy. The menu was less than stellar for that much money. And I dread the wedding. Dad is going to be a nightmare. He will be the first Fatherzilla.

For that kind of money and $39K - you could have done surf and turf for every guest with caviar and champagne. What did he spend the money on?

Ohfour · Hooker

Mellow Momma wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Yeah, she definitely DOES NOT look happy. The menu was less than stellar for that much money. And I dread the wedding. Dad is going to be a nightmare. He will be the first Fatherzilla.
For that kind of money and $39K - you could have done surf and turf for every guest with caviar and champagne. What did he spend the money on?

That wasn't just for the food. That was for the entertainment and décor. I'm sure the entertainment cost a pretty penny...

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Yeah, she definitely DOES NOT look happy. The menu was less than stellar for that much money. And I dread the wedding. Dad is going to be a nightmare. He will be the first Fatherzilla.
For that kind of money and $39K - you could have done surf and turf for every guest with caviar and champagne. What did he spend the money on?
That wasn't just for the food. That was for the entertainment and décor. I'm sure the entertainment cost a pretty penny...

Oh I get that. Even counting that, he didn't get his money's worth in the food department. If he spent $10 on food for 220 people he still did poorly.

I am betting he spent a pretty penny hiring it all out - the decorations weren't expensive, but he hired a crew to put them up etc.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

American Idol people can't cost THAT much. And again, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it. Still seems silly. Oh, and we can comment on it if we wish!

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

OMG - I read the article w/o pictures & for some reason assumed they were a gay male couple. I think it was the lavishness of the party. Anyway you all kept commenting on pictures & I realized the OP had a link. Imagine my surprise! I kind of liked it better when I thought they were a couple of flames throwing a bash.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Will the girl even remember it? I don't think my earliest memories go back that far.

flan

cadiver · Senior Member

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
American Idol people can't cost THAT much. And again, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it. Still seems silly. Oh, and we can comment on it if we wish!

I bet Australian Idol people are even less.

Tinydancer · Guru

That could buy a small house in some parts of the country. It's their money but it seems such a waste.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

cadiver wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
American Idol people can't cost THAT much. And again, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it. Still seems silly. Oh, and we can comment on it if we wish!
I bet Australian Idol people are even less.

It wasnt even a WINNER, just a contestant. Shoot - tons of people have been contestants!

Ohfour · Hooker

Mellow Momma wrote:
cadiver wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
American Idol people can't cost THAT much. And again, it's their money and they can do whatever they want with it. Still seems silly. Oh, and we can comment on it if we wish!
I bet Australian Idol people are even less.
It wasnt even a WINNER, just a contestant. Shoot - tons of people have been contestants!

And some of those contestants make more and bring in more of a crowd than do some of the winners...

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?

Ohfour · Hooker

Mellow Momma wrote:
Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?

Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee...

A lot of the "contestants" go on to bring in more money then the winners. A lot of the winners are a bust...

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?
Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee...
A lot of the "contestants" go on to bring in more money then the winners. A lot of the winners are a bust...

Even Mandisa - and she's a Christian singer. I hear her everyday.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lawyerlady wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?
Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee...
A lot of the "contestants" go on to bring in more money then the winners. A lot of the winners are a bust...
Even Mandisa - and she's a Christian singer. I hear her everyday.

She was our demo singer before she got famous...

cadiver · Senior Member

Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?
Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee...
A lot of the "contestants" go on to bring in more money then the winners. A lot of the winners are a bust...

Don't forget William Hung, he didn't even make it past the auditions.

Ohfour · Hooker

cadiver wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
Well yeah, Jennifer Hudson does. But how many Jennifer Hudson's are there?
Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Katherine McPhee...
A lot of the "contestants" go on to bring in more money then the winners. A lot of the winners are a bust...
Don't forget William Hung, he didn't even make it past the auditions.

Ah yes! I would LOVE to have him at a party!!!!!

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

I bet he is cheap!

Ohfour · Hooker

Mellow Momma wrote:
I bet he is cheap!

I'm going to find out. I have ways...LOL!

cadiver · Senior Member

Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I bet he is cheap!
I'm going to find out. I have ways...LOL!

What about the one in question. Do you have contacts in Australia?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lexxy wrote:
NAOW wrote:
Oh. Uh. So I shouldn't spend $40,000 on Baby A's first birthday next month? Darn, I'm sure that will break her heart.
That was a quick year! Maybe not for you since you had the new baby lack of sleep year but it sure seems fast to me.

I was thinking the same thing. A year already. Gosh.

Ohfour · Hooker

cadiver wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I bet he is cheap!
I'm going to find out. I have ways...LOL!
What about the one in question. Do you have contacts in Australia?

I would have to know their name. They all have (mostly) different agents, and there would be no way to find out with a name.

William Hung's father is his agent. So there is no set booking fee. He decides on a case by case basis. I would assume he would charge depending on the location and if the promoter pays for lodging, food, etc...

cadiver · Senior Member

Ohfour wrote:
cadiver wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
I bet he is cheap!
I'm going to find out. I have ways...LOL!
What about the one in question. Do you have contacts in Australia?
I would have to know their name. They all have (mostly) different agents, and there would be no way to find out with a name.

William Hung's father is his agent. So there is no set booking fee. He decides on a case by case basis. I would assume he would charge depending on the location and if the promoter pays for lodging, food, etc...

Courtney Murphy - Season 2 Third Place.

Yes, I am that bored.

Tignanello · My dog name is, Sasha!

Nobody show this to Ohfour's DD! She's already nuts about birthday parties! And Ohfour would end up footing the bill!

FNW · Guru

I used to have William Hung's phone number. I should see if I can find where I put it...

NAOW · Vette's SS

FNW wrote:
I used to have William Hung's phone number. I should see if I can find where I put it...

Is he a friend of yours?