Bratz Packs the Red Carpet
Even though it was an early Sunday morning matinee, the sun was blazing down on celebrities as they walked the red carpet premiere of the epic tween flick Bratz: The Movie at Pacific Theatres at The Grove in Los Angeles.
Heating up the carpet first was Kim Morgan Greene, who accessorized with her Bratz Doll-loving daughter. She admitted to one reporter that she can’t count how many Bratz dolls the family has but that the dollars spent were “certainly in the thousands.” The blonde was extremely excited to show off her metallic embroidered jeans that left many of the reporters and photographers chuckling as she passed by (including myself!).
Musicians who contributed to the movie soundtrack took center stage, giving impromptu performances to reporters including the 10- to 13-year-old Clique Girlz, first time songstress Daechelle, Aussie rising star Orinthi and the rambunctious The Slumber Party Girls.
And I should also mention awkwardly running into my ex-boyfriend who is also on the soundtrack: Alex Band! Remember his huge hit, "Wherever You Will Go?" My mom used to tease me that he wrote that about me! Ha! But on a personal note, it's not so much fun running into your ex while you're all sweaty and gross! Nonetheless, stay tuned for more hits from him soon, as he is releasing a solo album later this year.
Janel's blue dress was ordered from China, and she found her gold glittery shoes at Wild Pair. She's half Chinese, so it was important to her to reflect her roots.
Skyler's dress was a purchase from Jean Paul Gaultier and completed with Fendi shoes. John Voight's goddaughter posed way too sexily in front of small children at 10:30 am!
Logan's feather coated dress was from BCBG, and she looked absolutely chic and age appropriate. Nathalia was wearing a coral dress from Bebe Couture (anyone else think that is fashion's greatest oxy-moron?) and broke out into perfect Spanish when a reporter who asked her about her role in the teen flick.
Twins Milly Rosso and Becky Rosso arrived in coordinating outfits, enlightening the reporters with their British accents. They revealed how much they love shopping and California.
Chet Hanks arrived in a sharp grey suit, posed for photographers and quickly went inside without talking to reporters. His parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, snuck in through the side entrance and out of sight of photographers, hoping to keep the focus on their son.
Newcomer Ian Nelson looked hot -- I mean sexy hot! The up-and-coming actor let me know that there are too many important things going on in the world to really focus on Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. He felt working on Bratz gave him great perspective, especially working with young, talented girls.
John Voight arrived to screams from surrounding spectators. Dressed in a black suit, the actor insisted on giving his goddaughter, Skyler, as much credit as possible. In fact, he called himself a costar to her starring role! When asked about his past, John was overheard telling one reporter, “I’ve been a brat in my day.”
The overbearing sentiment of the day was “the message.” Every celebrity spoke passionately about the positive message the movie portrays about four impressionable friends who find empowerment in each other. Perhaps it was a response to the recent struggles of today’s teen celebrities in the most relatable and chicest of ways.
Opera's Dramatic Opening
The latest Hollywood hot spot, Opera, premiered to a full house on Friday night in an exclusive star-studded fete that had hundreds of party hoppers hoping to get in. This party hopper, however, jumped right through the VIP line and into the posh new club.
Photographers grabbed photos of arriving guests as mists of white cloudy stuff poured around them from above. It was a mystical, dramatic start to a rockin' evening. Just as you step inside, you are greeted with smoke of another kind (and it wasn't just cigarette smoke). As a D.A.R.E. kid, I'm still so anti, but I think smoking is becoming the new black in this town.
Half the party was crammed in this tiny outside lounge! As we made our way through the crowds and inside the dome shaped room, the DJ was pumping some incredible tunes that could get anyone on the dance floor. But only a handful of girls were brave enough to do so, as the dance floor was the center of the club and the focus of everyone's attention.
In the far corner, a few ginormous bodyguards watched over Wilmer Valderrama as he partied with four hot chicks. My friend introduced me to Wilmer and I almost didn't recognize him as he had a hot pageboy cap pulled low over his eyes. He had nothing to hide though! Completely clean shaven and entirely blinged out, Lindsay Lohan's ex looked hot. His muscles were cut enough to slice any girl's hesitations!
By the bar, I caught a glimpse of Rex Lee (again!). That guy is everywhere! He was wearing a very loud black and white collared shirt and gave my friend a dirty look when he told him that Rex's role on Entourage made the show.
Far more appealing to my eye was Shane West who, true to his Southern roots, was wearing the sexiest blue cowboy shirt that made his green eyes sparkle! Holding an amber-hued drink, I saw him again later that night talking to a few girls on the smoking patio. He kept taking small drags of his cigarette, telling the girls that he was trying to hide that he smokes; apparently, it is not a habit he's particularly proud of. Perhaps his part as a doctor on ER is rubbing off on him.
As we left, we said goodbye to the owners and promoters, who seemed to be having as awesome time. Rumors that Britney Spears was coming had filled the security guards walkie talkies, but we didn't stay long enough to find out. After all, I really didn't want to be partying with trouble. But the hundreds of people still waiting outside couldn't wait.
The Scoop on Lindsay Lohan's Infamous Assistant
Boundless blabber is pervading everyday conversations in Hollywood about Lindsay Lohan's car chase, arrest and the impending "DUI gate." Over lunch at Barney's Greengrass restaurant today, I heard several agents talking about Lilo's situation over their smoked fish sandwiches. Showing sincere concern, they discussed different rehab programs and remedies.
While browsing shops on Beverly Drive, shop girls incessantly prattled about the info they downloaded from TMZ.com on their iPhones and Sidekicks.
At one shop, I learned the name of the now infamous assistant who had quit and was stunned at how familiar it sounded. The name: Tarin Graham. "OMG!" I thought to myself. I got a call from a friend who told me to check the tabs to see for myself. So I jumped onto x17online.com and saw the photo to confirm it.
This Tarin was the same Tarin who had been a shop girl with me only three years ago! I remember working with the Santa Monica beachgirl (whose everyday outfit consisted of her Uggs boots and a diamond nose ring) at a boutique in Brentwood.
I also learned that the trouble between her and Lindsay started with a certain boy at a nightclub. Though I don't know who the boy is, Tarin got a little too close for Lindsay's liking and apparently gave little Tarin the axe. I'll be sure to keep you up with details as they come.
Hollywood is a small world after all!
LiLo's Resting Habits
No one in L.A. can stop talking about Lindsay Lohan's arrest and descent into turmoil. Paris Hilton is so yesterday!
As I was chatting about Lindsay's Tuesday morning arrest with a friend, she revealed to me that she had hung out with Lindsay and a 27-year-old entertainment exec at a Friday evening shindig. My friend, obviously upset by what happened, said that she caught sight of Lindsay's alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet under the starlet's long sundress as Lindsay downed a few beers. "She looked really pretty but I saw her do the stuff that she does and well..." my friend reported. She wouldn't elaborate on exactly what "stuff" Lindsay was seen doing, but it looks like her relapse to inebriation began way before Tuesday.
I wonder if Promises has a money back guarantee...
Brooke Burns and Paris Hilton Rolling Down the Carpet for Charity
In a swanky black tie fete in the Crystal Ballroom of the famed Beverly Hills Hotel, celebrities, athletes and musicians came together to celebrate spinal cord injury awareness and honor Las Vegas producer Gary Scott Thompson. The night featured live performances by Jackson Browne, Miles Doughty of Slightly Stoopid and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. It raised more than $370,000 for the Life Rolls on Foundation. The donations were in large part from ex-jailbird / current-philanthropist Paris Hilton and a gorgeous looking Brooke Burns.
The red carpet was full of celebs including: Molly Sims who looked ravishing in a short black sequined cocktail dress, complete with soft waves in her darkened hair; David Chokachi arrived with his wife Susan; Andrew Keegan showed up solo.
I know I'm not really supposed to say anything about people attending charity functions, as their altruism is supposed to outweigh their bad taste, but Laura San Giacomo was a disaster in an ill-fitting lavender dress. Nevertheless, she was all smiles down the red carpet!
Best dressed of the evening was definitely Brooke Burns in a buttery yellow silk dress that had a fantastic cut out of the back. The girl seemed so happy to celebrate the evening. After all, she was nearly paralyzed in a diving accident a few years ago.
At the event, Paris Hilton paid a reported $17,500 for surfing lessons with Adam Sandler and Jesse Billauer, a former pro surfer who was paralyzed in an accident. Looks like the heiress may be showing her charitable side after all. Let's just hope she continues to dish out the money to causes that help people.
Paris Hilton's Planetary Passion
Green is so the new red when it comes to carpets. At the latest soiree to support the environment, Ford Motors got together with BPM Magazine cover boy Adrian Grenier to get Hollywood hip to the green trend. Though I never got a chance to catch sight of the Entourage hottie, I'm sure he showed to his own party, right? Still, I have no proof that he was there.
Instead, I saw socialite Caroline D'Amore arrive in the Ford Escape. Her L.A.M.B. cardigan was so cute! I also caught sight of actress Lauren German who arrived with a close girlfriend. As they ordered at the VIP bar, I overheard Lauren telling her friend that carpet arrivals always make her nervous, no matter how many times she does them. It was refreshing to hear such enthusiasm from an Hollywood actress.
When Rex Lee arrived at the party, he headed straight to the gift bag table where he scored the VIP bag. Usually, celebs get a drink, hang out, socialize, etc. and then grab the gift bag upon their exit. But not Rex Lee -- he just beelined for the freebies and toted them around with him all night long.
Ken Davitian was also hanging out in a shiny black collared shirt complete with French cuffs and cufflinks. I couldn't help but think of his nude fight seen in Borat, so I quickly looked away.
I was leaving just as Paris Hilton arrived, but I saw her pull up in the Ford Escape hybrid, putting on lipstick in her gorgeous gold compact. I got a glimpse of her vintage looking orange '50s dress as she stepped out to the paparazzi flashes.
As she posed with the car, it was obvious to me that Hollywooders loving their hybrids!
Sharon Stone's Housewares Shopping Spree
I love those celebrity sightings that catch a starlet in her everyday routine. She’s not posing, she’s not camera ready; she’s everyday like you and me. So when I saw Sharon Stone shopping in Beverly Hills sans makeup and stylist, I was especially surprised to see just how normal she is.
Her oversized ivory Gucci tote was not at all out of place in this city, but her clean, tanned skin was slightly uneven without an ounce of makeup. She wore a bandana over her short blonde hair that perfectly stuck out every which way that could only be accomplished by pure laziness. Well, her stylist put in the work to afford her that, but all in all, she looked effortless.
As she bent down inside Anthropolgie sorting through vintage-looking knobs, she seemed completely unaware that everyone in the store was staring at her. Some tourists approached her for her autograph, and she politely refused. She stuck to housewares, already carrying a Williams Sonoma bag, but didn’t purchase anything. As she left the shop, the paparazzi was in full force. She was completely indifferent to the photogs and strutted down in her camouflage shorts and 3-inch heels with confidence reserved for those who truly embody sexiness. I watched as she jumped into Levi’s, back out again, and continued down the street impervious to the staring masses.
Though she obviously looks better when she’s put together, I must say her plain face is stunning. In fact, too gorg to compare to this town’s fakeness.
Les Deux's Birthday Part, Part Deux
A bit bigger than Tuesday night's bash, the second birthday party for one of Hollywood's most successful clubs, Les Deux was not only big, but also beautiful. There wasn't an ugly face in the house! While the celeb turnout wasn't huge, I did catch Ian Ziering in a corner booth, crowded with loads of people. Rumors of Kiefer Sutherland's appearance abounded, but I didn't see him.
Les Deux's owners/promoters made sure the party was flowing with loads of alcohol at every table and even invited girls to start "dancing," using any props they could rub up against. Though very few men had made it into the club (I swear, it was ladies' night or something!), they were certainly having the best of times!
Les Deux's Birthday Party
For some, Les Deux is the coolest place in Hollywood and a great way guarantee yourself a shot on any number of paparazzi Web pages. For others, it's filled with a bunch of wannabes. And as the popluar hosehold-name of a club celebrated its (and one of its owners, Mike Malin) birthday on Tuesday night, it wasn't anything different, no matter how you feel about the club. Fonzworth Bentley, Ian Ziering, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, and Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough all made appearances and boogied with the birthday boy.
The typical wannabees like Caroline D'Amore and "California Bad Boy" Brody Jenner (according to his new promo deal with a dating service) hung out for most of the night, while new faces like Jerome Bettis and L.A. chef Christopher Tunnell enjoyed the posh and drunken scene.
Rockin Out with the Band From TV
Some celebs have not let "celebrity" go their heads, especially the rockin' members of Hollywood's hottest band of actors, Band From TV. With hunks like Hugh Laurie, James Denton and Bob Guiney playing with smashing sexpot Bonnie Somerville, backed by the ever-lovable Greg Grunberg and Brad Savage, Band From TV plays all-time hits around L.A. to raise money for charities.
I got a chance to see the band making their soon-to-be-released DVD at a soundstage in Burbank, CA. The room was loaded with friends, family and supporters of the band, including Hayden Panettiere who arrived with the drummer from Simple Plan and his girlfriend.
Every band member got a chance to show off their musical talents as they played classics like "Mustang Sally," "Hard To Handle" and "Piece of My Heart." We even got a chance to see Hugh dance! Who knew the doc could shake his booty like that?
Though the whole night was truly entertaining and amazing, it's definitely worth grabbing the DVD just to see that!
Saving the Apes with Charlotte Ross & Zachary Quinto
Animal lovers and celebs alike enjoyed a jungle paradise at this Beverly Hills party!
Zachary Quinto, Christine Elise, Charlotte Ross, Rudy Youngblood,and other (B and C-list!) celebs supported In Defense of Animals at an event held at a producer’s mansion off Mullholland Drive. The posh Mediterranean estate was set up safari style with all proceeds benefiting chimpanzee and gorilla conservation in Cameroon.
The silent auction featured paintings from Picasso, Miro and Degas, while Gwen Stefani donated loads of items from L.A.M.B and a signed electric guitar. Prince Diabete, a world renowned Kora Player, brought his African band to play as guests mingled under the clear summer evening.
I can’t seem to get enough of Zachary these days. When I talked to hi m about attending the party he got sweetly and sincerely serious. "It's our closest genetic relative and they are being massacred, mistreated, exploited, and abused so it really drives someone to some level of action." IDA was offering “Adopt a Chimp” programs and when I asked Zach if he had adopted a chimp yet, he said he was in negotiations to own his own chimp.
Christine is also an animal lover but isn’t looking for that kind of monkey in her house. She wants a man! The 41 and fabulous ER star earnestly wants to find a good guy out there. It’s not easy in Hollywood, Christine! You might be better off with a chimp after all.
Jenny McCarthy's Sexy Move
A perfect summer evening set the scene for denim designer duo Chip and Pepper’s latest line launch for JC Penney benefiting the Art of Elysium charity. Hostess Rachel Bilson and her stylist Johnny Wujek welcomed loads of celebs to The Terrace Pool of the Sunset Tower Hotel. The carpet was chaos as celebs and party-goers alike crammed the entrance to the sunset-lit party. Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey arrived together, only to be rushed off the carpet by photogs.
Designers Chip and Pepper Foster created a huge commotion on the carpet, jumping up and down and greeting everyone with tackles of hellos. The duo were smartly dressed in Dior, but ran around the party as if they were dressed in Dickies!
Inside, Jenny looked smitten over Jim as they sat on a couch drinking Fiji water, surrounded by gawkers and friends alike. In mid conversation, she swept her hand across where his shaggy hair had fallen in his face. It was a quick, endearing move and Jim put his hand on her leg. Super cute!
Jared Leto was incognito in a fuzzy cap that was pulled low over his blue eyes and a leather jacket that was zipped up to his ears. In 80-degree weather, he totally stuck out. Without a drink in hand, the super-skinny hunk circled the room, avoiding photogs.
As the guests sipped mojitos and noshed on veggie skewers, I caught Rachel Bilson lounging outside by the pool with a posse of beautiful friends. On the tables, tiles of green grass sat as the centerpiece, surrounded by glass marbles and votives. At any one of the three bars, guests loaded up on champagne and margaritas. As I was grabbing a glass, I saw Donna from Shear Genius getting a customized C7P tee-shirt made.
I got a chance to catch up with Zachary Quinto poolside. Sorry Heroes fans, I know I promised to watch the entire 1st season, but I just haven’t had the time! Needless to say, Zachary did not let me in on any details, but I do know that he isn’t in the first three episodes.
As he drank champagne, we talked about his favorite movie out right now, Once. It’s a gorgeous flick if you have not seen it!
Stephen Cojocaru fluttered from celeb to celeb, ignoring the teen queens Kay Panabaker and Kaycee Stroh who so wanted to meet him.
The party ended as randoms came in to fill the spaces of the departing celebs. But as C&P designers said, “Oh my god! This party is Sexy!”
Melissa Rivers Dazzles in Jewels
Far away from the red carpets she usually reports on, I caught Melissa Rivers shopping in a luxe jewelry shop in Brentwood. Dressed in a hip top and fitted shorts, she was solo shopping for fun accent items. She fit in perfectly with the chic Brentwood crowd.
Joan's daughter tried on and purchased two thin, long leather and gold bead necklaces from Chan Luu. They were only $195 a piece, but she made them look like $1,000! When a girl is classy enough, she can make something from Forever 21 look like it was Fendi!
She also bought three of Jessica Cushman's all-the-rage scrimshaw bangles, emblazoned with cool quotes and phrases from pop-culture, movies, etc. One of Melissa's bangles blurted "L.A. Diva," but she had to have been purchasing that one for her mother!
Preggers Alert! Jennifer Garner Spotted with a Bump
Is it possible that Violet Affleck may be a sister in the next few months?
Based on today's sighting of Jennifer Garner and her skinny blonde girlfriend at The City Bakery in The Brentwood Country Mart, it's most certain! Jen looked super cute, sporting a fantastic haircut, complete with shaggy bangs and honey brown hair. She wore a gorgeous white paper-thin flowy blouse that was fitted around the shoulder but flowed throughout her body. As she ordered at the counter, I got a perfect glimpse of her profile and as the light showed through her top, The Bump was totally there!
After they left, I asked two others at the eatery how they thought she looked, without mentioning the word "bump." Both said they suspected she was preggers!
I spotted Jen and her GF as they were getting into Jennifer's hybrid Lexus SUV and a few paparazzi jumped out from behind cars to catch a shot. Luckily, a security guard motioned them away but Jennifer definitely looked upset that they took photos. Possibly because she is hiding the onsets of what is sure to become a baby frenzy when word gets out?!?
Stay tuned!
Michelle Rodriguez Just Wants to Have Fun
Is Michelle Rodriguez on the same path as LiLo and BritBrit? While she obviously does not have the notoriety or resume of the former scandalous celebs, M.Rod seems on the verge of trouble herself.
After two nights of leaving the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel complete with drunken tirades to the paparazzi, I got a chance to ask Michelle about her "fun side" at the same hotel on Monday night. "I just wanna hang out with my peeps." she told me. "It doesn't matter whether we are jumping out of planes or just hanging out. I'm all about having fun. Life is short, you know?" At that, she gave a sly smile and her eyes widened, backlit by amber-hued trouble.
No doubt about it, Michelle Rodriguez gets my vote for next to end up in rehab/prison.
My First Good Knight Kiss
I can't explain how stupefied I felt when I was about to introduce myself to one of the world's most well-known billionaires. What exactly does one ask $ir Richard Branson?
After all, this is a man who has ballooned the world, built a space ship and runs the world’s most luxurious airline. And at tonight's Rock the Kasbah charity event in Hollywood, the loaded knight made his entrance onto the red carpet on the back of a beautiful bay stallion led by belly dancers and a train of hot models dressed in birkas.
How about, "So, Knight Branson, what do you do for fun?" or "What do you think about global warming?" or "Can I get a ride on the space ship when it's ready?"
I couldn't settle on one question.
So, I wandered around the fab Moroccan-themed event, enjoying sashimi appetizers and pomegranate martinis.Virgin Unite, the charitable arm of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, threw the special event at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to raise funds for projects in Morocco. The benefit was hosted by Missoni-clad acclaimed actress Mariel Hemingway and featured a soul-altering, three-song set from multi-platinum musician Jewel. Some other celebs in attendance included Richard's mom Eva, Buzz and Lois Aldrin, Rachel Hunter, Michelle Rodriguez and Justin Berfield.
Back to the knight who was dressed in a luxurious white floaty collared shirt and had his shaggy hair flopping around...
When the time was right, I approached him eagerly, told him it was a pleasure meeting him and that I had never met a knight before. Unexpectedly, he bent down, grabbed my right hand and kissed it!
"Well, now you have," he said. "I hope it was good."
Wow! How cute! I'm sure he's done it a million times before, but all the women around me were so jealous! They even approached me after and asked me how I got him to do that. I did ask him about his favorite things to do and he gave the ultimate British response, "Drinking, partying, travelling. That's about it. I just want to have fun." We parted with a European kiss on both cheeks and he told me I better have fun.
The party was fun. I sat next to celeb blogger Perez Hilton who couldn't stop talking about how much he wanted some guy at the party. As soon as the bread ran out at our table he said, "This party blows." But we got more bread and he seemed cheery again.
Elsewhere, a super sexy Rachel Hunter arrived late and snuck into her seat wearing a skinny strapped red jersey dress and Christian Louboutin red and gold heels. Michelle Rodriguez told me about her black and white halter dress that she had altered in Taiwan from a dress Tommy Hilfiger had given her years before.
Jewel played a soft, moving version of "Hands," a folksy take on "Life Uncommon" and a searing "Who Will Save Your Soul." She finished to a standing ovation, and the crowd was ready to party to the DJ waiting outside.
Still reeling from my fun encounter with Britain’s most fun billionaire, I couldn’t help but dance a little bit longer, of course, to The Clash’s “Rock the Casbah.” My knight was nowhere in sight, but it was still quite a lovely night.
Seal's Sweet New Cruiser
It seems as though everything Seal has is hot. As if his hot wife Heidi Klum, his hot kids, his hot duds, his hot tour and career were not enough, he adds the hot new Audi 2008 R8.
I saw him pulling up to valet at The Grove on Saturday night to catch some dinner with his friend in the metallic charcoal two door coupe. The cruiser took my (and the valet's) breath away! It was sleek, futuristic and hot (of course!).
Seal was dressed in white wearing an awesome Panama hat. My car-crazed friend approached Seal and got the deets. The $125K car is not available to the public yet, but of course, Seal has some hot hook ups.
The valet carefully eased into the car and parked it a mere 20 feet away as Seal and his friend walked towards the busy shopping mall. While some people noticed Seal, his car was garnering far more attention. Some people whipped out the cameras! Could he have bought something that was hotter than himself? For a second, I though it was a great ploy, but the man is just too hot to outdo himself. Just rack another one up!
