Terrence Howard @ The LA Confidential magazine party

EUROWEB.COM

FEBRUARY 26, 2007

LA Confidential's Pre-Oscar Bash @ The Mondrian Hotel

http://www.eonline.com/gossip/partygirl/index.jsp

2/26/2007

Man of the Hour

After getting sucked into a relaxing facial and glamtastic makeup application (okay, this Hollywood Party Girl doesn’t have it that tough), I brave the light rain (winter, L.A. style) and drive over to the Mondrian hotel for Los Angeles Confidential's Pre-Oscar Bash. “I love Forest Whitaker,” music honcho Russell Simmons says of tonight’s honoree. “He’s the man.” Unfortunately, "the man" is fashionably late, so I mingle with "the girls" and "the boys" under the tent in Skybar, where things are already under way.

While socialite Brittny Gastineau giggles in a corner, Fifth Avenue mommy Kathy Hilton takes hubby Rick to the VIP section. With Paris off celebrating her birthday again (the first honoring of her 26th annum was in Vegas), the parents finally hold the spotlight for a moment—until Mary J. Blige shows up in a look-at-me leopard coat. Seems like the Grammy winner took my advice and kept her curls from the GM show.

Downstairs, Vanessa Williams looks as stunning as ever, but the beauty star of the night is model Milla Jovovich. And as if her stunning looks aren’t enough, she draws more attention with her loud voice. “Who are we here for tonight?” the deejay asks. “Forest Whitaker!!!” Milla screams, causing guests to turn their heads toward her instead of the entering Oscar nom.

Bows and Wows

After accepting his applause with wife Keisha at his side, Whitaker remains modest, trying to keep his mind off of Sunday’s expected acceptance speech. “I was just so overwhelmed with emotion,” he tells me of last month’s Golden Globes win. “I feel that there’s a number of people I could have applauded.” As for the Oscars, if he wins (and we all know the outcome of that), Forest has one man to thank. “I definitely will remember God, and if that moment comes it will make me feel really special,” he says. Amen.

Whitaker should feel special tonight, though, because he’s already somebody’s idol. “He’s my inspiration,” Bow Wow says. “I respect him as an individual, and I’m praying one day I’ll get where he is.” And why not? Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar last year, so the li'l rapper has a chance.

Pit Stops and Exit Strategies

Just before things wind down, Terrence Howard strolls in with Naomi Campbell. Five minutes later, Naomi is stomping her mile-long legs outside. I don’t know what happened, but I’m thankful there’s no phone around for her to fling. Marcia Gay Harden also makes a short appearance, before exiting to grab a bite with one of Los Angeles Confidential’s editors. With so many people leaving, the alfresco space is getting cold, so I wait for my car behind Isaiah Washington and his wife, Jenisa. Gotta get my beauty rest for the big night.

L.A Confidential Fifth Annual Pre-Oscar Party

http://www.bizbash.com/losangeles/default.php

2/26/2007

Guests Walk on Water for L.A. Confidential

For its fifth annual pre-Oscar party, L.A. Confidential magazine feted cover subject and Best Actor nominee—and, ultimately, winner—Forest Whitaker at the Mondrian Hotel’s SkyBar. But guests expecting to party poolside found a surprise: The magazine’s West Coast event director, Tonya Toone, had a crew equipped with scuba gear construct a custom-fit platform over the pool. White carpeting covered the platform, which featured Vox Entertainment’s line of white leather ottomans and benches at one end for lounging and a roped-off area at the other for Whitaker and friends. “We decided on white because all of the attending talent and Forest are the real accents,” Toone said. Guests dancing to tunes spun by DJ Pesce flocked to the platform, which proved to be a sturdy dance floor.

Los Angeles Confidential Party

March 3, 2005

PARTYING BEFORE THE OSCARS!

Kwiat/Kodak Cocktail Party

PARTYING BEFORE THE OSCARS!

Kwiat/Kodak Cocktail Party

Marcia Gay Harden stopped by the suite at the Four Seasons Hotel to browse the jewelry, according to a rep. While sipping red wine, she gushed over the pieces that were designed especially for the nominee’s personal style. Andrea Bowen from Desperate Housewives stopped by the suite with her mom and snacked on mini dessert items such as fruit tarts. TMG Suite Located on the Penthouse level of the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive, the TMG suite was offering teeth whitening, massages, manicures and facials. Other designers were also showcasing. Los Angeles Confidential Suite This small suite in the Mondrian Hotel offered amazing gift bags worth over $70,000 each. They include trips, jewelry and car service.

Los Angeles Confidential Party

From the very beginning, the March 2 party at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood was packed! The lobby was jammed in the Mondrian Hotel with guests trying to make their way into the Sky Bar. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was the guest of honor because he’s on the cover of Los Angeles Confidential magazine. He arrived late and stood by himself, just checking out the scene until the magazine’s editor, Jason Binn, came over to talk to him, says a rep.

Among the celebrities spotted there were: Matt Dillon, who showed up with an entourage, couldn’t get them all into the VIP area that was reserved for Hoffman. He stayed with his friends, making his way to the VIP area later.

Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom was there with an attractive blonde woman. When fellow Olympic skater Sasha Cohen saw him, her eyes lit up and she ran over to give him a huge hug. He remarked that he hadn’t seen her since Torino and he seemed really excited to bump into her.

Rick and Kathy Hilton were sitting at a table with Jason Davis, Kathy’s sister Kyle Richards and Elliot Mintz, Paris’s publicist. Elliot said that Paris wasn’t coming because she was busy filming The Simple Life.

Winner of last season’s America’s Next Top Model, Nicole Linkletter, got a big hug from music producer Joe Francis. They talked for a long time and she appeared flirtatious. She was drinking white wine and dressed in a very sexy long black dress with a slit on the side.

Eliza Dushku was dancing in the bathroom with a friend when she announced that she needed mascara. She was very thankful when someone offered her some.

Famke Janssen was sitting at a table for most of the night with three men. Other celebrities in attendance were Joey Fatone, Pauly Shore, Bai Ling, Tom Arnold, Brandon Davis, Jamie Lynn Sigler and Jesse Metcalfe.

— CARLENE DAVIS

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