October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means that celebrities are painting the town pink in order to raise awareness. On Tuesday, I made the journey up to the Top of the Rock for the kickoff of Saks Fifth Avenue's annual Key to the Cure campaign, where guests were encouraged to shop for the cause. While dj Samantha Ronson entertained the crowd, I mingled with socially conscious celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Becki Newton and Debra Messing.
Partyhopper is back in Las Vegas. This time I am spending six days in in Sin City to write a story on Justin Timberlake for our February issue. No, he hasn't signed a five-year deal to become the next Celine Dion--he's actually in town hosting a Pro-Am golf tournament to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. Did you know JT was an avid golfer? Is there anything this guy can't do?
Last week, In Style's L.A. bureau hosted a bash for designer Tommy Hilfiger to celebrate the debut of his Bravo TV series, Ironic Iconic America. Usually I'm a great host, but when I heard that Ashley Greene--who plays the vampire named Alice in the big screen version of Stephanie Meyers' novel Twilight--was among the guests I practically ran away from the very famous TV star I had been chatting with to go introduce myself. What can I say, I--like most of you out there--am totally Twilight-obsessed.
Cortney, Ashley Greene and Karen.
Photo: Michael Buckner
We all know that LeAnn Rimes has a huge voice. But she's also got boatloads of courage. After growing up in the spotlight--and under the watchful eye of the media--you'd think she'd be pretty press shy. But every time I see her I find her to be so charming, warm and open. In the past, we've talked about her passion for fashion, her adorable husband and her Nashville neighbors, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. And now, she's stepping up to speak out about an important health issue. LeAnn is the face of Stop Hiding From Psoriasis, a campaign to raise awareness about people living with the chronic skin disease, and she took time off from touring with Kenny Chesney to help unveil the Stop Hiding...Start Living photo exhibit and a new PSA here in N.Y.C.
LeAnn Rimes and Bronwyn pause for the cause at the Stop Hiding...Start Living photo exhibit. Photo: Rachel Vollaro
Sunday is usually my one day of rest, but this weekend I decided to give up my last few "me time" hours before the start of the work week to attend the Gossip Girl bash at shopping mecca Henri Bendel. Why did I brave a throng of aggressive GG fans on Fifth Ave. when I could have been at home with my feet up enjoying my night off? Because we here at InStyle.com know that our readers can't get enough of the show and we'll do anything to deliver what you want. Besides giving fashionable New Yorkers an excuse to stay up late on a school night, the soiree was thrown in honor of Gossip Girl costume stylist Eric Daman, who not only dresses the actresses in drool-worthy designs for the show, but is also responsible for helping them to develop their own off-screen style.
Bronwyn and Gossip Girl costume stylist Eric Daman.
He is so charming, that Anthony Mackie. But since he lives in New York, I don't see him very often. Plus, he's always working--if you look him up on IMDB.com you'll see that he has seven movie projects in the works. So it was rather fitting when Mackie was named Ambassador of the 2008 American Black Film Festival. To celebrate, Hennessey and fellow New Yorkers Bevy Smith and Anthony’s manager, Jason Spire, threw a dinner at the Thompson Hotel’s Bond St in Beverly Hills to toast the actor and his most recent achievements.
Karen congratulates man of the hour Anthony Mackie.
Like many TV nerds, I initially resisted the "American version" of The Office in an attempt to stay loyal to Ricky Gervais and the original British series. But it wasn't long before I was won over by pious accountant Angela, adorable sad sack Jim and, most of all, evil genius Dwight Schrute. So I was trilled when I heard that Rainn Wilson had been cast in his first starring role in the hair metal comedy, The Rocker. After a screening of the funny flick, I had a chance to chat with Rainn about his musical inspirations, the growing popularity of real life leading men, and just how much his hair has to do with creating a memorable character.
Bronwyn rocks out with Rainn Wilson.
I am not one to drive fast on L.A.'s congested freeways, but get me on an open racetrack in a brand new Dodge Challenger and I will put the pedal to the metal. I wasn't the only car junkie who made the trek to Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamand, CA to test out the new car. My fellow drag racers included Rob Lowe, Luke Wilson, David Spade, Michelle Trachtenberg, Kim and Brad Paisley, Carmen Electra, Audrina Partridge, Snoop Dogg and Chace Crawford, who went straight to the cars to check them out. Finally, it came time to race, but some of the girls had one problem--their shoes! Like the fashionistas they are Michelle, Kim and Carmen had all worn heels to the event. While Michelle borrowed a pair of sneakers, the others contemplated what to do. "It will be sexier if I drive in these," Carmen laughed about her Jenni Kayne pumps. Lucky for me, I had on boots!
Snoop Dogg, Audrina Patridge, David Spade, Rob Lowe, Michelle Trachtenberg, Kimberly Williams Paisley and Brad Paisley get ready to speed off.
The hottest ticket in New York City last Tuesday evening? Hands down, a girls' night out at the premiere of Sex and the City: The Movie, held at Radio City Music Hall. Despite the crazy weather, Carrie & Co. took the Swarovski-studded carpet by thunderstorm, while every fashionista--and fashionista-wannabe--pulled out their most fabulous frocks and flashiest heels and came to catch a glimpse of the fab foursome. I scored a highly-coveted seat inside the theater, where I got to rub elbows with Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. When I say "rub elbows", I actually mean I sat about a hundred rows behind them in the 6000-seat theater. But it was an awesome experience nonetheless!
Sarah Jessica Parker admires co-star Cynthia Nixon's pink carpet ensemble. Photo: Nick Sadler/startraks
I have always loved Alanis
Morissette. The first time I saw her perform was during my college days when I scored tickets to her sold out show at the Santa
Barbara Bowl. I shared that experience with more than 4,000 other fans, but last week I was one of just 75 people who got an invite to the CD
listening party for her upcoming album, Flavors of Entanglement at Bond Street, the hipster lounge at the new Thompson
Hotel. Just getting to be one of the few to get a first listen of her latest CD was enough, but then Alanis
performed a few songs for us--LIVE!
Full disclosure: When Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake last week, I wasn't breaking bread and sipping champagne with Meg Ryan in the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. I was down the hall in the press room fighting a horde of cranky photographers for a handful of pretzels and a warm Diet Coke. Usually, I do get to live the glamorous life--ask me about sitting next to Naomi Campbell while George Clooney auctioned off kisses in Cannes last year--but I don't mind roughing it in the trenches every once in a while if it means that I get to be a witness to history.
Iggy, Madonna and Justin get ready for their close-up in the press room. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
L.A. Fashion Week may not be the epitome of haute couture, but it has introduced the country to talent like Cynthia Vincent, David Meister, and Project Runway phenom Rami Kashou. But let’s face it, the West coast version of Fashion Week is as much about celebrities as it is about style. Last year, Nicky Hilton created a media frenzy with the debut of her Nicholai collection. This season, the new celeb-turned-designer du jour was The Hills star Lauren Conrad, who turned Smashbox Studios into a circus of photographers and personalities for her premiere runway show.
Lauren sneaks a peek at the crowd before her show begins
Photo: Chris Polk/WireImage
In Style’s conference room isn’t one of my favorite places in the office—perhaps because I associate it with our 10 a.m. production meetings—but I’ll never think of it the same way again after Katharine McPhee gave an impromptu concert there during her "meet and greet" with staffers. Granted, the acoustics aren’t so hot, but that’s not a problem when you’re born with powerhouse pipes like McPhee.
When we asked Kat (as her publicist, Roger Widynowski, likes to call her) for her playlist, she responded by belting out some of her iPod favorites. One of them was Nelly Furtado’s "Say It Right": “I'm not sure what the words are, but I love this song,” Kat said—and then proceeded to do a dead-on impression of Nelly singing it. She also channeled a belly-dancing Shakira. I had no idea she was so hilarious—Kat's the kind of gal who would make a great SNL host. I can't possibly do justice to her visit to In Style, but fortunately we videotaped it, so you'll be able to watch her "greatest hits" very soon.
Katharine McPhee and James
Photo by Rebecca Grice
Her showstopping number, so to speak, was when she performed my favorite song from her hit debut album: "Open Toes." As the title suggests, it's an upbeat ode to shoes, and I think it could be the song of the summer, sort of like her answer to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." (Maybe she should've titled it "Girls Just Wanna Shop for Shoes"?) I'm also loving Kat's current single, "Over It," which perfectly sums up my feelings about the weather in New York, though I think Kat's actually singing about a relationship gone bad. She just premiered the hot video for it on MTV's TRL today—have you seen her hosting all week long? She may be a native California girl, but she's doing a great job of looking glamorous while braving the cold, something she also accomplished during New York Fashion Week.
I also have to give Katharine props for her blogging abilities. She does daily video blogs (a concept that sends chills down my spine), and she frequently appears makeup-free so that her fans can see that stars don't look flawless in real life. Needless to say, I'm glad that there are no cameras on me when I'm up blogging late at night—I'm as big a fan of Photoshop as I am of McPhee.
-- James Patrick Herman
The question is: Who owns Bug and Fester?
Need some hints?
We are so not talking
She's a charming young actress, a brunette who's named for a flower. And, as her name would suggest, she's a real girlie-girl at heart. Find out who after the jump. ...
We're not going to click MORE for you, either
On Friday night I went to a birthday party for one of my favorite people in Hollywood. With all due respect to the late James Brown, this guy gets my vote as the hardest-working man in show business. He’s not an actor, but he’s just as charming and charismatic as any movie star I’ve met. I’m talking about mega-manager Jason Weinberg, founding partner of Untitled Entertainment. (This was actually his second 40th birthday bash—his partner Guy Oseary hosted the first one earlier last week in L.A., and it attracted nearly as many stars as the Golden Globes.)
Jason Weinberg and his dad Fred
Photo by Patrick McMullan
I’m sort of like the nightlife lover’s answer to the mailman: Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can keep me away from a hot party—especially when dinner is included.
Despite the horrible weather in New York, I couldn’t possibly pass up an invite from Nadine Johnson to attend a bash at the Odeon celebrating the charming new British film Starter for 10. Since I got the impression that the film's producer, Tom Hanks, would be picking up the tab (and also because all I had to eat that day was a Balance bar and a handful of almonds), I went a little overboard when the waiter asked for my order: asparagus soup, steak frites and warm chocolate cake for dessert. Thanks, Tom!
James and Alice Eve
Photo by Patrick McMullan
Aside from the food and the fun company (my tablemates were Nadine and famed photographer Patrick McMullan), the highlight of the night was getting to meet stylish Starter for 10 star Alice Eve. She walked by my table on her way to the loo, but I had to stop her and ask where she got her cool dress. "It's from my favorite vintage shop in L.A., What Comes Around Goes Around," she told me. Too bad you can't see her cute shoes in this photo—they were Stella McCartney. I also wanted to know what it was like to work with James McAvoy, who was the It Boy of the Toronto Film Festival. "He doesn't act like an It Boy. He's so down-to-earth. James is just a dude, you know?" Alice said. (That was the same impression I got when I met James at In Style's party during the film fest—he's a total sweetheart.)
What's next for Alice? "I'll be making my Broadway debut this fall in Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll. I'm so excited! The best part of knowing Tom is that I can ask him, 'So, what's it all mean?'" she said of the intellectual playwright.
The morning after I met Alice, I read an item about her in The New York Post's Page 6 column—and it was so nice! It may have shocked me to see a flattering story about a celebrity there, but I wasn't at all surprised to read these words: "The young English actress is going to be a huge star." I couldn't agree more.
I think Alice looks a bit like Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman. What do you think?
-- James Patrick Herman
While blogging is a blast, it can also be exhausting. Not that I'm complaining—who needs beauty sleep in the age of Photoshop? But I did welcome the opportunity to get some tips from a pro. Fortunately my company offered a presentation about writing for the Internet. I missed it (I think I was busy blogging), but one of my co-workers who went told me it was "a fascinating talk—just eight simple steps!" she said.
She couldn't seem to recall any of those eight simple steps when pressed. However, I was able to get some helpful advice from another Internet authority: Fall Out Boy bassist and MySpace superstar Pete Wentz, who was in town to promote his band's brand-new album, Infinity on High. "I'm a serious blogger," Pete told me. In fact, he has more than one (he blogs both on Friends or Enemies and on the official Fall Out Boy site).
Pete Wentz, James and In Style's Suzanne Zuckerman
Photo by Rebecca Grice
I don't know how he does it. Not only that but he also manages to cope with all the other demands of being a rock star: penning lyrics to anthemic songs that define a generation, filming epic music videos, touring the world, etc. Back in the day, musicians had it pretty easy—they'd cut an album, play a gig and then get drunk with groupies on the tour bus. They didn't have to worry about going straight from the stage to the laptop, whereas Pete probably spends more time typing than playing bass.
Melora Hardin, who plays Steve Carell’s tough-as-nails boss on The Office, told me fans of the show are sometimes afraid to approach her. I’m glad I didn’t make the same mistake—this gal is a kick! As you can see from the photo, she doesn’t dress anything like her character, either. Check out the red-hot dress and the sexy heels that PETA would approve of: “They’re beautiful and fancy vegan shoes called Mink,” Melora told me.
Melora Hardin and James
Photo by Mark A. Neston
She and her husband, the writer and actor Gildart Jackson, were guests at Joely Fisher and Christopher Duddy’s Mexican Love Jam in Vallarta Nayarit, just outside Puerto Vallarta. (Coincidentally, Melora—who has been acting since age six—once appeared on The Love Boat, whose starring vessel famously used to dock you know where.) Like our hostess, she has a hilarious sense of humor and professional pipes to boot. In fact, Melora has recorded two CDs of original songs (The Melodrama and Purr), which you can buy on her stylishly retro Website, Melora.com. You can even listen to a few of her tunes—the kitschy-cool “Dial O” is my personal favorite. “My music is romantic but kind of cheeky,” she said. “Think: Doris Day meets Julie London.”
Melora is a budding filmmaker as well. She directed and stars in You along with hubby Gildart, who wrote the screenplay. “I’m in the process of cutting it now,” she said. “It’s a love story—not edgy and dark.” I have to add that Melora is also a doting, hands-on mom to two adorable daughters—yet another thing she has in common with her friend Joely!
-- James Patrick Herman
When Hennessy Paradis hosted a party for Nas at the intimate eatery Gin Lane, it felt like a real family affair. Guests included the dapper rapper’s Alexander McQueen-clad wife, Kelis, daughter Destiny and his father, Olu. “You must be so proud of your son,” I said to his dad. “I think he’s more proud of me!” Olu replied. I would be, too!
Kelis and James
Photos by Mark A. Neston
I have to say, good taste clearly runs in the family—and in the the extended family, as well (Kelis’s mom, Yve, and younger sister Faryka were in the house, too). I was eager to ask the always edgy Kelis how she chose her typically dramatic dress (the other candidate for the evening was a vintage Bill Blass number). “I was feeling Old Hollywood, and I love McQueen. But this train is going to be the death of me!” Fortunately Kelis is always willing to suffer for fashion—that’s part of what I love about her.
It’s not easy keeping up with Beyoncé. Sure, her record sales are astounding (think: around 50 million worldwide), but that’s probably nothing compared with all of her frequent-flier miles. Just when I was about to messenger flowers to congratulate her on the New York premiere of Dreamgirls, her long-time publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure from Sony Urban Music, informed me that she had already left the country. Not to marry Jay-Z, as much of the media speculated, but rather to celebrate his 37th birthday and sneak in a bit of R&R—by Beyoncé's jet-set standards, this reportedly resulted in a 270-foot yacht in St. Martin—before her next trip down the red carpet at the L.A. premiere last Tuesday.
Beyoncé
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty
Much bigger red carpets await: Yesterday she received not one but two Golden Globes nominations, helping to boost Dreamgirls' tally to five. She’s up for both Best Actress and Best Original Song (for “Listen,” her classy contribution to the movie musical’s soundtrack). But Beyoncé faces some stiff competition in the acting category: Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Renée Zellweger, for instance, not to mention past Oscar nominees Annette Bening and Toni Collette.
Imagine a blind date with a celebrity. OK, not necessarily a household name but rather a talented newcomer who is on the path to fame. One of the best parts of working at In Style is getting to hobnob with huge Hollywood stars. But I also love getting to know young actors and musicians—"meet and greets," as we like to call them. And not just because they provide welcome relief from my carpal-tunnel syndrome. I inevitably find myself falling into romance mode—innocently flirting, sprinkling compliments into the conversation, and then, of course, there's the always awkward goodbye: air kiss, hug or handshake?
Ayo
Photos by Jean Marc Lubrano
Recently we welcomed—and fell in love with—a singer-songwriter whose name will be new to you but is worth remembering: Ayo. Our fashion editors probably assumed she was a model. Stunning? Check. Statuesque? Check. Stylish? Big check! Her debut album, Joyful, is already a hit throughout France and Italy, which is somewhat surprising given the fact that she sings in English. She was in town to play a showcase for influential critics and tastemakers; then she was off to L.A. for a West Coast performance and after that back home to Paris, where her upcoming gig is already sold out. As we all know, the Parisians have great taste.
I looked forward to saying hi to Ben Affleck at a cocktail party he hosted before a screening of Hollywoodland, because I had a really good opening line. Granted, “I’m from In Style” usually does the trick when it comes to getting the attention of celebrities, but this one was a bit more personal. “Hey, Ben,” I said after his publicist, Ken Sunshine, introduced us. “I went to school with your wife.”
Ben Affleck
Photos by Getty Images
“Really?” he said, shaking my hand. “Yes, I was the drama critic for our school newspaper, and she was the star of the theater department,” I explained—referring, of course, to Jennifer Garner, who has done pretty well for herself since our college days at Denison University. (The last time I saw Jen, I told her, "You're now the most famous person in the history of the state of West Virginia." I also hail from the Mountain Mama, but I never used to admit this—until, that is, Jen became a huge star. Before her success, W.Va.'s biggest claims to showbiz fame were Don Knotts and, um, Janet from Three's Company.)
Thursday night's screening of The Fountain at the Tribeca Cinemas Gallery was fittingly wet, thanks to a serious downpour. Low-maintenance Oscar winner Rachel Weisz apparently walked to the after-party herself, sans entourage or even a P.U.H. (personal umbrella holder). She carried her own, shook off the raindrops, tossed it aside and instantly lit up the room where her fiancé—the film's writer-director, Darren Aronofsky—was greeting fans of his ambitious new sci-fi romance.
Rachel Weisz and Darren Aronofsky
Photo by Mark A. Neston
I first met Darren at In Style's party for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association during the Toronto Film Festival. "I remember," Darren told me when I said hello. "You were surprised that I knew who Narciso Rodriguez was." He's right! It's so rare for an intellectual auteur to be fluent in fashionista-speak (after all, I never saw Woody Allen at fashion shows until Soon-Yi started dragging him there). As it turns out, Narciso and Darren are such good friends that the designer agreed to make stylish costumes for The Fountain.
Since the evening was part of the Tribeca Cinema Series (the Tribeca Film Festival now offers year-round screenings with filmmakers and actors), I asked Darren about the biggest challenges of shooting in New York. He's "Brooklyn born and raised," and his last movie, Requiem for a Dream, was filmed in Coney Island. "Craft services," deadpanned Darren. "Go blog about my movie—I need to get the word out," he jokingly added. He seems like the sweetest guy, but obviously he can be a demanding director. (Anyone who has seen Jennifer Connelly's harrowing scenes in Requiem can imagine.)
Would he consider working again with Rachel—the mother of their six-month-old baby, Henry? "Oh, yeah," he said. "Absolutely!" And then they left the party together, hand in hand. It's so romantic and downright life-affirming—much like The Fountain—to see a happy Hollywood couple. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they live in N.Y.C. instead of L.A.?
-- James Patrick Herman
How bananas is the new Gwen Stefani single and video for "Wind It Up"? It's brilliant the way Gwen pays homage to The Sound of Music! I thought she'd never top her Fiddler on the Roof tribute in "Rich Girl," but she manages to completely blow that away.
Gwen Stefani
Photo by Jill Greenberg
I'm also reminded of the way Jay-Z sampled Annie on his crossover smash "Hard Knock Life," and I'm thinking of his girlfriend Beyoncé starring in Dreamgirls next month. I'm a music freak, but I've never been a big fan of Broadway musicals, so it's weird to see them suddenly getting so much play on MTV. What's next? Is Fall Out Boy going to cover a song from West Side Story on their new album?
In In Style's December feature about New York Fashion Week, Gwen talks about being inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer circa Scarface, but clearly she also has a soft spot for Julie Andrews. At any rate, the (Hollywood) hills are bound to be alive with the sound of Stefani. In the splashy music video, fashion-forward Gwen somehow manages to make a sewing machine look cool—and a nun's habit look hot! Even that other rebellious Catholic—Madonna—never dared to rock this look! Though clearly they both agree that a crucifix makes for a surprisingly sexy accessory.
Which singer do you think wears it best?
-- James Patrick Herman
Have you seen the trailer for Casino Royale yet? I'm curious to hear what you think of the new James Bond, Daniel Craig: Do you want to shake his martini or shoot him?
And while we're on the subject, do you ever wonder how a Bond villain spends his downtime? Taking his two kids out for a day of family fun at Universal Studios in L.A., of course. "They're busy with SpongeBob at the moment," says Danish superstar Mads Mikkelsen (think: the Tom Cruise of Copenhagen), who is set to win millions of American fans thanks to his role opposite 007 in Casino Royale.
Mads Mikkelsen
Photo by Greg Williams © 2006 Danjaq, LLC, and
United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.
I think it's crazy that Craig's casting has been controversial in part because of his hair color (blondes can kick butt as well as have fun—remember Farrah in Charlie's Angels?). But I'll bet everyone gets a kick out of the new Metrosexual Bond Baddie, Le Chiffre. Next to the Bond girls, the villains are my favorite part of the spy franchise, though they've never been so stylish, sexy and well groomed.
Famed photographer Patrick McMullan just e-mailed this photo of me and Beyoncé's mom and stylist, Tina Knowles. The backdrop is the brand-new House of Deréon boutique inside the Macy's in Chicago.
Tina Knowles and James
Photo by Patrick McMullan
I remember when I first met Tina, years ago in L.A. I was at AGO restaurant for a Grammys after-party, and she whisked by me with her Versace-clad daugther and the rest of Destiny's Child. I introduced myself with a compliment about how gorgeous the gals looked in their matching outfits: "Oh, thank you!" she said of the clothes, which were, in fact, a design collaboration. "I just called up Donatella and told her, 'I'm thinking Old Hollywood glamour.'" How cool to have Donatella on speed-dial, I thought. Now Tina has a new collaborator—Beyoncé—and they have their own glam line (two, actually, as their new juniors line, Deréon, will arrive in stores in time for the holidays).
This past weekend I flew to the windy (and rainy!) city, Chicago, for work—but then, running around with Beyoncé is definitely the most fun you can have while working. I know this from experience: A few years ago, I spent several months collaborating with her on a book about Destiny's Child (though we opted for warmer climates, like L.A., Las Vegas and her hot hometown of Houston).
Jet-setting superstar that she is, Beyoncé had flown in straight from London, where she rocked Royal Albert Hall but also found time to hit Knightsbridge for a little shopping with Gwyneth Paltrow (wonder if Madonna is jealous...). The following night, she was off to L.A. for some post-production work on the Oscar-buzzed musical Dreamgirls. Let me tell you: It takes a lot of energy to keep up with Beyoncé!
Somehow, despite the jet-lag, Beyoncé gave a typically high-energy performance at Macy's Glamorama event at the Chicago Theatre, which featured a fashion show from her House of Deréon line as well as sexy looks from Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, D&G, Just Cavalli, Moschino, Badgley Mischka, Peter Som, Tuleh and Temperley London. I was blown away by the big-budget production values—it was more Broadway than Bryant Park Tents.
I've gotta give it up for Fergie: "London Bridge" is not only a ridiculously catchy hit but also the best song about a bridge since Simon and Garfunkel's groovy ode to the one on 59th Street. And there's plenty more where that came from on her brand-new solo CD, The Dutchess.
Fergie
Photos by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
I remember when I first interviewed Fergie—before her hip-hop makeover—back when she was known as Stacy Ferguson and was a member of the adult-contemporary vocal trio Wild Orchid. I never imagined that the former child star of Kids Incorporated (which also featured a young Mario "Dancing With the Stars" Lopez) would go on to date Hollywood hottie Josh Duhamel and record such a fierce CD! She's become the Duchess of Funk, in my opinion. But clearly she felt more like a queen when friends toasted her reign on the Billboard charts at Tenjune in the Meatpacking District—she donned a tiara for the occasion!
Just when it seemed as if summer in the city couldn't get any slower, I heard the news that L.A. loverboy Wilmer Valderrama was in town taping the new season of his MTV show, Yo Momma—in Queens, of all places. So naturally I made plans to visit that outer borough and watch heavily accented trash talkers compete to win a prize of, as Wilmer puts it, "cash money." But then I got a last-minute text message from one of my favorite music-industry contacts, Chris Chambers, who invited me to dinner at the new-ish Mr. Chow in Tribeca.
Chris has guided the careers of everyone from Usher to Outkast, and now he's working with Monica. (Remember her inescapable hit "The Boy Is Mine," a duet with presumed R&B rival Brandy? Well, the only boy on Monica's mind these days is her one-year-old son, Rodney.)
The occasion was a party to celebrate her forthcoming album, The Makings of Me, which features collaborations with Jermaine Dupri and Missy Elliott. Monica—who, adorably, ordered a Shirley Temple cocktail while Chris and I were knocking back lychee martinis—has really stepped up her style: She was rocking a chic dress that looked like it cost a small fortune. "It only set me back 40 bucks," Monica admitted of the vintage number, which is a good thing since her accessories—a Gucci handbag and Jimmy Choo sandals—don't come cheap.
I have to give a shout-out to Solange Knowles-Smith, a.k.a. Beyoncé's kid sister (that's Solange on the right). I've been thinking about both of them lately because I keep seeing those scary trailers for World Trade Center—they really freak me out!
Shortly after the real 9/11, my boss, Charla Lawhon (did I mention how cool she is?), kindly allowed me to take a couple of months off so that I could help Destiny's Child write their autobiography. (I now interrupt this blog for a bit of shameless self-promotion: For all you D.C. fans out there, the book is called Soul Survivors.) I appreciated the opportunity to get away—far away—from N.Y.C. and hang out with the gals in Houston. We dropped by the hair salon owned by Beyoncé's mom, Tina; we went to church (luckily, PartyHopper did not get struck down by lightning); and, of course, we spent lots of time at the family home, where Tina would spoil me with her amazing cooking.
How does PartyHopper spend the weekend? Well, it’s pretty glamorous compared with the way my coworker and fellow blogger Martha McCully hobnobs around the Hamptons. Though I have to give her props: Does she have the best hair on TV or what?
But enough about her. I plan to spend the next 48 hours catching up on my sleep and watching reruns of The Hills. And I’m ashamed to admit that I'm a sucker for those marathons of MTV’s depressing yet riveting serial dating show, Next. You know the premise, right? One hottie gets her pick of five different studs and/or losers, and often it’s hate at first sight. If only life were this simple! Occasionally I’ve been introduced to a humor-challenged Hollywood type at a party, and I've thought of just saying, "Next!"
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
But that wasn’t the case when I interviewed the fabulously funny Eva Longoria. She's going to be a busy girl this weekend, while I’m lounging on my couch and cranking the a.c. Meanwhile, in L.A., Eva will be celebrating with her castmates at a party for the DVD release of the second season of Desperate Housewives. And next week in N.Y.C., she’ll be here in the spirit of a digital Gabrielle for the debut of Desperate Housewives: The Game, coming soon to a PC near you. Does that sound creepy or what?
One of PartyHopper's new favorite actresses? Julia Stiles. I've always been a fan of the cool (but never chilly) intelligence she brings to her roles—even in that remake of The Omen! And now I have yet another reason to adore her: The girl arrives on time for her interviews. But wait, there's more. Often entertainment journalists whine about actors' letting them down, not just because they're rarely punctual but because they're inevitably somewhat disappointing (i.e., shorter) in person. Julia, however, really blew me away—she is not only semi-statuesque but also stunning, which is impressive considering the intense humidity of this cruel, cruel summer. Plus, she agreed to answer all of my questions, which of course had nothing to do with her latest movie.
Let me introduce you to In Style's celebrity magnet, Suzanne Zuckerman. Why, just the other night, when we went out to entertain some VIPs (very important publicists) at Sascha in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, she practically opened the cab door on Vin Diesel (who was looking mega-buff in a city-chic ensemble by Nike—brave Vin flouts the rules of fashion, proving that muscle Ts aren't just for the gym anymore).
Suzanne, meanwhile, always appears as if she's just walked straight off the cover of a magazine: flawless skin, gorgeous hair, super-cute outfits—you can't help but gush when you meet her and she's even more fun to party with than Diddy.
Grammy-winning singer Mya (you probably remember her from the all-star remake of "Lady Marmalade" or from her mega-hit, "Ghetto Superstar") stopped by the In Style offices this week to give me a sneak preview of some hot tracks from her new CD, Liberation, which drops in November.
Equally hot? Jezebel, the sauna-like but sultry soul-food restaurant near Hell's Kitchen, where we later had a little dinner party to celebrate. We dished about new songs from Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake as well as what looks to be the party of the year in N.Y.C.: The MTV Video Music Awards on August 31. Fashion Week—that seven-day-long party that takes over Manhattan's Bryant Park—hits town the following week, and Mya said she's looking forward to catching the runway action of local favorite Heatherette and Australian designers Sass & Bide.
Music and fashion—it's a combination that rocks Mya's world (and ours, too, of course).
-- James Patrick Herman
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