Partyhopper

Since today is the one-week anniversary of the Golden Globes—and since I needed to spend the weekend packing for Sundance rather than partying—I decided to check in with some of In Style's reporters to find out about the highlights of all the other after-parties.

OK, so I failed to live up to my rep as a party-hopper on that night. But in my own defense, it did seem like the In Style / Warner Bros. bash was the only real game in town. So many of In Style's guests were sporting a shiny new accessory: a trophy from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. And did I mention that Jack Nicholson was one of the first to arrive? That Jack is just so cool—he's one of the only stars I know who can get away with the sunglasses-at-night look.

Here's the scoop:

RHONDA RICHFORD AT THE PARAMOUNT PARTY: "She may not have been up for an award this year, but Hilary Swank was a winner in my book. I've always heard about how down-to-earth she is. And after meeting her, I have to agree! In between bites of spicy mac-and-cheese, Hilary admitted to needing a lot of carbs to get her through the evening. I also got to catch up with McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, after meeting him last year at an In Style dinner. Suffice it to say, this was a good night!"

JENNIFER MUIRHEAD ON THE FOX/SEARCHLIGHT SOIREE: "I loved the fact that Kim Raver left and came back twice so she could hang out all night with 24 co-stars Kiefer Sutherland, Marisol Nichols and others, who planted themselves in a huddle on the outdoor patio and stayed until closing time. It's so nice that they all seem to be great friends! Another highlight? Winner Forest Whitaker was still beaming from his win when he arrived; almost everyone at the party swarmed him with congratulatory greetings, including Kerry Washington, Chris Rock and Aaron Eckhart. And watching Luenell (the woman who plays the prostitute in Borat) chat with Rock was priceless: Rock is a master of the big-eyed, shocked facial expression!

ROCHELLE ROSE ON HARVEY WEINSTEIN'S CELEBRATION: "It's fabulous to see fellow Brit Sienna Miller lighting up every room she walks into. She told me the highlight of her evening was 'seeing all the Brits doing so well,' and I thoroughly concur. I knew as soon as I saw DJ Pesce there would be dancing. Rosario Dawson is a girl who knows how to have a good time; she and ex-L.A. Laker Rick Fox seemed to be the last people on the dance floor when the music stopped playing."

VICTORIA NAMKUNG ON THE E!/EMA BENEFIT: The highlight of the night was when Sacha Baron Cohen swooped in with his Golden Globe and fiancée Isla Fisher, who was beaming with pride. Normally the crowds at these sorts of things are fairly jaded, but people literally jumped out of their seats. Everyone was just trying to shake his hand or snap a photo with their cell phone. It was so hectic that I think he had to leave a few moments later. It was like he was the biggest star in the world.

I didn't have a reporter inside the NBC/FOCUS FEATURES/UNIVERSAL PARTY SPONSORED BY CARTIER, but fortunately fabulous actress Melora Hardin from The Office e-mailed me the following report: "It was just beautiful this year: A fully tented rooftop party decorated with swags of material and a raised center stage surrounded by red, stuffed, suede benches displaying INCREDIBLE Cartier jewels previously owned by royalty. I dined on sushi—which was being made fresh—and delicious oysters on the half shell (one of my favorites)! It was a party in the round, with tables set all around large flat-screen TVs every seven feet apart, so everyone was sure to catch all the speeches. I listened intently, jotting down a few tasty morsels. Loved when Meryl Streep said, "It's amazing how much you can get when you clearly, calmly and authoritatively demand it!" Also, loved Forest Whitaker thanking his ancestors for letting him ride on their shoulders and "whispering in his ear."

Melora was the true party-hopper on Globes night. In her e-mail, she adds: "Made a quick stop at the Weinstein party, which was nice mostly because I bumped into Christian Slater on the red carpet, who I hadn't seen in umpteen years. Didn't stay very long because it was freezing and I didn't have a proper down comforter stuffed into my tiny Swarovski handbag. When will an Eddie Bauer camping backpack become chic enough to carry with a gown?! If this cold weather persists, I may be the forerunner of that fad!"

Another celebrity tidbit comes courtesy of actress Rose McGowan, who cites this moment as the highlight of her night: "Lecturing the Olsen twins on the evils of smoking and having them look at me like I was the lamest girl on earth."

-- James Patrick Herman

I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m just now getting around to writing thank-you notes to the guests who joined my dinner table at In Style's Golden Globes viewing party—including Molly Sims, Simon Baker and Joy Bryant—and suddenly I’m not feeling very witty or clever. (Even after three cups of coffee and a Diet Red Bull, which usually does the trick.)

Perhaps that’s because these stars all proved to be as sharp as they were stylish. Some cynical observers of Hollywood might imagine that celebrities want to talk only about showbiz (or just talk about themselves), but that notion couldn’t have been further from the truth with my new acquaintances, who are managed by Untitled Entertainment.

Molly, for instance, had Broadway theater on her mind: She was telling me about recently seeing the acclaimed play The Vertical Hour, and she raved about Bill Nighy’s performance. Minutes later, the British actor won a Globe for the BBC miniseries Gideon's Daughter, and Molly clapped and cheered.

Aussie Simon, who managed to predict nearly every single one of the night's winners, spent a commercial break giving me a geography lesson about boho-chic Byron Bay in Australia (one of my favorite places to go surfing) and threw in a brief history as well. And let’s just say that Joy, who was rocking an edgy black Fendi number, has a serious passion for fashion—I could’ve talked with her about clothes and designers all night long.

As a final example to illustrate my point: When I brought up the second film about the making of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood that came out last year and asked nearby Rose McGowan which movie she preferred, her response was: “Actually, I prefer his books.” Needless to say, there was no talk of hot scripts among my tablemates.

While I’m on the subject of giving thanks, I want to give shout-outs to the tireless staff of In Style’s L.A. office, especially Cyd Wilson and Ali Forman—they had the tricky task of orchestrating everything from the seating arrangements to, well, you name it—and bureau chief Glynis Costin, who kindly joined me as a greeter when our after-party kicked into high-gear. While I welcomed entourage-less Penélope Cruz and thanked America Ferrera (clutching her Globe to her chest, she still had that endearingly awestruck look about her) for her touching acceptance speech, Glynis ran off to fetch a drink from the bar for her pal Steven Spielberg.

As you can tell, the staff of In Style goes to great lengths to ensure that everyone has a good time at our bashes. Kudos also to interior designer Thomas Ford, who created a breathtakingly gorgeous room for us to work. And hats off to co-workers Karen Levy, Marsha McGregor, Angela Salazar and Kelly Austin for having the courage (and the compassion) to deal with the scene—yes, it was quite a scene—at the door: The inevitable result of any L.A. event involving A-listers, the fans who love them and the biggest VIP of all, the fire marshall.

-- James Patrick Herman

Having a prime spot on the red carpet at the Golden Globes—which features a steady stream of Hollywood’s biggest stars, all in up-close-and-personal proximity (and in natural light, no less!)—would be like a dream to most people I know. The truth, as crazy as this may sound, is that it’s actually a lot of hard work. Honest! An interviewer like, say, Ryan Seacrest has it a bit easier, since celebrities are more inclined to stop and talk when there’s a TV camera pointed at their heads. But if you’re armed with only charm and a digital tape recorder? Well, then, good luck to you.

Katherine Heigl on the Globes red carpet
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

Fortunately In Style contributor Brantley Bardin, whom I’ve hired to cover the red carpets of various awards shows over the past seven years, has what’s known as the gift of gab. His interview transcripts consistently make me fall off my chair with laughter. Sadly, I can’t always print the best sound bites—let’s just say that stars tend to open up when talking to Brantley.

Like Katherine Heigl, for instance, who was so relieved to spot him on the carpet that she confessed, “Now that I’m standing here with you, I’m gonna fix my boobs.” Is that trust or what? Salma Hayek felt the same way. When Brantley joked to her that standing on an elevated platform while conducting his Q&As made him feel like a guy who looks down women’s dresses all day, Ugly Betty’s producer smiled up sweetly and said: “It’s OK. I’m sure we’re safe with you—and our secrets are safe with you, too!”

More

It may have been freezing outside in L.A. last night, but In Style’s Golden Globes party was smokin’ hot! For instance? Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake were reunited (and it feels so good ... ) in the VIP area, where they clinked glasses, smiled sweetly at each other and shared a brief chat.

Rose McGowan and James
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The truth is, there wasn’t a VIP room, per se—that’s because the whole party felt like one big VIP room. Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the first to arrive—need I say more? I welcomed him at the door and said, “Thanks for coming, Sean! Now the party has officially begun!” Then Sheryl Crow sashayed in with her date, Dave Tomberlin—Sheryl was partying like a true rock star, and I love this gal for it! They were followed by (in no particular order) Penélope Cruz, Forest Whitaker, Heidi Klum and Seal, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Sharon Stone, America Ferrera, Leonard DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg,  Mary J. Blige, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and Kathryn Heigl and Sandra Oh, along with their Grey’s Anatomy co-stars: Doctors McDreamy and McSteamy. Like I said, what with all of these high-wattage stars in such close proximity, it was feeling pretty McHot in here.

More

Since the actors on Heroes play everyday people—a cop, a stripper, a cheerleader, etc.—who have been given  supernatural powers, they don’t tend to sport the most fabulous wardrobes on the show. But they really turned it out for In Style’s cocktail party at L.A.’s Sunset Tower Hotel on Saturday.

Tawny Cypress, James and Hayden Panettiere
Photo by Gail Horwood

All eyes were on striking Ali Larter when she made her glam entrance and worked the room. Greg Grunberg, who is always seen in a police uniform on TV, looked dashing in a sharp suit and tie. He told me that the members of the close-knit cast love to party together, since they don’t get to share much on-camera time. In fact, Greg is hosting a bash at his house on Saturday that we’ll be covering for an upcoming issue of the magazine. “I’m cooking brisket!” Greg said. (What, no hero sandwiches?) Greg is quite the Top Chef, as it turns out. “He makes me breakfast every morning!” his wife, Elizabeth, told me.

Later, I introduced myself to Golden Globes nominee Masi Osaka (“I can’t believe it’s only been 11 episodes,” he said of the show's sudden success) and to sexy Tawny Cypress by complimenting her on her gorgeous red dress: “It’s actually hot pink,” she said. It was hard to make out the shade because of the lighting, but it was definitely hot, that’s for sure. (She told me she’ll be wearing green on the Golden Globes red carpet today.)

Adorable Hayden Panettiere, who was rocking what appeared to be a high-fashion designer number, confessed to me: “I got this at French Connection.” Spoken like a real-life cheerleader! But young Hayden, who brought her mother, Lesley, as a date, is wise beyond her years: The girl’s already landed a recording contract with Hollywood Records, and she’ll release her debut album in the spring. “It’s a hybrid of pop and rock,” her mom told me. Look out, Hilary Duff!

For more InStyle.com coverage of this event, including a gallery of photos, click here.

-- James Patrick Herman