Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA PREMIERE
I am soooo excited to see this movie. I saw them film it last year here in NYC. I went to 2 of the screenings, that means I went to see celebrities, not that I actually saw the film. Plus the fact that the movie is based on a book written by ANNA WINTOUR'S personal assistant is just as juicy as STAR JONES getting fired from THE VIEW. I never really knew who ANNA WINTOUR was until I moved to NYC and was ignored, and blown off by her about 5 times as I tried to take her picture. I have at least 5 photos of the side of her head as I tried to get photos at 5 different events and when she saw I wasn't the PRESS she turned her head. MERYL STREEP was not too friendly either, so she was perfect for the part.ANNE HATHAWAY, sweetheart. I have seen her a couple times.ADRIEN GRENIER, great guy, no ego.A few GUESTS AT THE PREMIERE
JOHN STOSSEL, I swear he said I was the first person to ever ask for his photo.
LARA SPENCER, cuttie, told me Meryl would be out in just a second.
SARAH JESSICA PARKER, I think this is the only time I have ever caught her smiling. I was gonna crop this photo and focus on her, but I wanted to show you how accesible it is to photograph the celebs once you know where they will be. To the right is the general public thinking it was their lucky day to see a celebrity.
I also saw Carol Alt, Stanley Tucci, Paul Reubens, Rosie Perez pretending to talk on the phone so no one would bother her and Maggie Gellenhall
Tyson Beckford, Red Carpet Whore at the Vonage Party last night at AER
I went to the Vonage party and saw a few celebrities Liv Tyler, a very pregnant Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, Freddie Prinze sans Sarah Michelle Gellar, Haylie Duffy and then I saw Tyson Beckford who arrived on the Red Carpet about 9:10PM, whored himself to the media for a good 25 mins. He stayed on the Red Carpet so long that Mandy Moore skipped the whole thing all together and just slipped inside the party. Then when Tyson finally got off the Red Carpet, he begged the publicist for the party for his cool belt, telling the guy, "you must get a lot of chicks with the cool belt!" At which point the guy with the cool belt said, I am not trying to impress the chicks. "Oh" Tyson said, I still want the belt. Tyson promised him a ride on his motorcycle for the belt, at which point the Publicist said OK here's my number, if you still want my belt tomorrow, call me and we will talk. After that there was a quick hug and a folly of back slapping, finally Tyson went inside the soiree.
9:15PM9:25PM 9:30PM
9:35PM 9:40PMThe Belt
Friday, June 23, 2006
Entertainment's Must List 2006 (Why Must they use such a lame title?)
Let's see who is on the "Must List"
The smokin' Christopher Meloni and his wife
Singer Nelly Furtado sweet as can be signs for the fans and poses. Just for that I will buy her CD.
The smokin' Rachel Ray and her husband John Cusimano, a lawyer and member of the band The Cringe
The resilent Law & Order star S. Epatha Merkerson - after this shot she told me she wanted to pose with me. She is super nice asking me my name. We talked a little about Law & Order and some of her upcoming projects.
The sober and brillant Robert Downey Jr.Christina Aguliara arriving for the 8PM EW Must List Party on Celebrity time at 9:45PM. Her entire posse exits the SUV except for the Diva. Her people have the security detail clear the sidewalk, then tighten the cages for the fans and photographers so no one escapes and touches her. She finally exits the vehicle in a cute long white skirt, and a fun bustier esq type top with a red belt. She signs for a few fans, a BIG "CA" signature, like I really want California's abbreviation on a photo. She poses for the photographers in a New York minute and if you missed the shot well tough luck. Then CA rushes inside. After the show all the celebs exited the same door they entered, but there was no Christina. I discover a side door with her SUV idling, at which point one of her people comes out and says to the 3 of us, Christina will come to you if she is going to sign, if her husband is drunk he won't allow as he is the boss. Christina exits in a hot slinky red dress, walks right towards us and signs. Guess the husband wasn't drunk.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
No Wonder Heidi's Blonde hair was turning Grey when I saw her 2 weeks ago; She's with Child - Congrats!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Madonna Fans Pay Homage to their ICON
Last night a few feet away from the spot where in 1979 a little girl from Michigan had a taxi driver drop her off in the middle of everything -The Times Square Virgin Records store had a Madonna karaoke contest with prizes to celebrate the release of Madonna's DVD/CD "I have a Secret". The usual suspects were there, Gay Men...Madonna wannabees who drag their cute boyfriends there where they hope to see a few girls with tassles on and boys in skirts with big hats.
MC Murray Hill was entertaining, she's in the purple suit to the left of the fence. Another contestant is warbling out another version of "Time goes by so slowly Time goes by so slowly ... Every little thing that you say or do I'm hung up I'm hung up on you ....." UGH!!, 33 out of 50 contestants sang this song. Hasn't anyone ever heard of "Like a Virgin"?
A chick who knows she can't sing, but was willing to do anything to win and disrobing wasn't out of the question, she had tassles (the audience went wild, and the judges gonged her for her singing impairment)A guy without tassles tried the same thing, he was gonged as he was going for his pants.
A Madonna look alike in leotards that can't sing but made it to the finals because she really looked like Madonna 2005
These judges (an author, DJ and Warner Executive) are probably wishing their starbucks had a little Irish Whiskey in it.
And the winner the one who gets 2 front row tickets at MSG for the Madonna concert - The 1985 "Open Your Heart" Madonna - on the right!!
Of course the real winner is Madonna and her Marketing team!!While I was waiting in line at Midnight to buy the newly released Madonna DVD/CD, the guy in front of me was in Fish Nets and Roller Skates. As Cindy Adams says - Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
Friday, June 16, 2006
You may not know this man, and believe it or not, this is his happy face, but he has written some of the most beautiful songs ever written in recent history. I had a chance to talk to him last night (Thursday) at the American Singer/Songwriter Induction Ceremony. He's written songs for Celine Dion (My Heart Will Go On), Steve Winwood (Higher Love), Joe Cocker & Diane Warner (Up Where We Belong), and Eric Clapton (Tears from Heaven). Specifically I asked him what inspired him to write such a moving epic of a song. He told me that James Cameron came to him, told his the essence of the movie and the yearning of the old women on the boat. It inspired him to write the Oscar winning, Golden Globe Winning, Grammy Winning single. I told him that he was an unsung hero, that Celine Dion and all the perfomers of his songs are just the vessals for his lyrics, and I thanked him.
As she approaches her 16th birthday, newcomer Cheyenne Kimball has reasons to be cheerful. Several weeks before her debut album, "The Day Has Come," drops, her MTV reality series, "Cheyenne," premiered May 31 with solid, if unspectacular, ratings.During its 10:30 p.m.-11 p.m. time slot, the show was watched by 1.9 million people
Kris Kristofferson will be 70 years old June 22.
Mayer's new album, entitled Continuum, is due out on September 12th, 2006. The reason I went was to see this trio. I wasn't happy with this photo and waited 3 hrs for them to exit the hotel where the party was held. I then found the answer Blowing in the Wind, that they were staying at the hotel overnight. Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.
Others at the Gala were folks I had shot before, Whoppi, Stevie Wonder, Solid as a Rock - Ashford and Simpson and Alycia Keyes (although had she not slipped out so quickly I would have shot her). Ok folks that 4 events in 4 days, and I worked a regular 8 hr day, its 2AM I'm off to bed, and will hopefully wake in time for the Prince concert at Bryant Park before work - 8:30AM.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
JUDY'S SPIRIT AT CARNEGIE HALL 38 YEARS LATER
Here's what it look like at last nights stage door at Carnegie Hall. Who could attract such a crowd of fans and a handful of cutting edge Icon Rockers? I ran into friends' David & Jesse from Philadelphia. David is in the blue shirt at the far left. He is a Rufus fanatic. I am not, but I am a big fan of "stage dooring" it.
Cherry Vanilla - You don't know who I am do you, she said. Just Google me and you will know! Sure enough her bio comes up before the ice cream. "Actress, author, poetess, and rock star, Cherry Vanilla (in the 70's also known as Party Favor) arguably ranks high among the most influential figures on the Anglo-American rock scene. As a cast member of Andy Warhol's taboo-shattering Pork stageshow, she figured in the formulation of David Bowie's flamboyant breakthrough during 1971-1972. As a lasciviously uninhibited rocker at Max's Kansas City, her performances had an unquestionable impact upon waitress Debbie Harry." (She's now SIXTY, and I think she looks great, well except for the blue hair) Kate Pierson from the B52's (Fred Schneider and crew quickly jumped in a waiting car before I could capture their souls). I think she was excited I recognized her. I could barely get the words out "It's a Love Shack Baby" It was really exciting for me to see her, and them. Will someone please tell me who this is, Philip do you know? I think he was sad that I didn't recognize him.Sure I could have cropped this, but it was late. ***John Waters*** After picking myself up off the street, and catching my breath, as Hairspray the movie (saw it 23 times) and musical (saw it 4 times) are my huge favorites, I took this picture. (Although I have to admit I was thinking "this is the guy that had Divine eat dog shit in Pink Flamingoes" - 1972)
Lorna Luft did a duet with the guest of honor. Liza wasn't keen on the whole concert idea and boycotted it. I hate when celebs run out too quickly for me to get a decent shot, and this clueless person in front of me probably had no idea Judy Garland's daughter was right before their eyes (let alone LIZA's sister!!)RUFUS WAINWRIGHT channels JUDY at Carnegie Hall again Thursday night. See you at the stage door!