EFTA01069593.pdf

gni VIVE 4; L'OSCARS Winner Woody Allen may have missed Hollywood's biggest lovefest, but intrepid fiber movie publicist Peggy Siegal was there for every single party and every single step of the red carpet way. This t year, her exclusive Oscar diary chronicles close encounters with Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Harvey Weinstein, Nancy Reagan, Elizabeth Olsen, George Clooney and his French doppelganger Jean Dujardin and, of course, Uggie. photographs by Patrick McMullan and Billy Farrell Agency EFTA01069593  • • . . . - • ..4 a AP .11" Q. • • aa J jW • • Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise L • _..mSe.• • EFTA01069594  him too wild. Tragically Uggie developed N avigating our presidential an undisclosed neurological disorder during production, forcing him to retire campaign was a piece of cake at the height of his popularity. No slam dunk Oscar winner emerged in compared to understanding the Cannes. Any future film could easily win. DreamWorks' The Help premiered nuances of the 2011 Oscar race for the in LA in August and distributor Disney began propelling the politically correct and most revered artistic honor in the world. socially significant film to box office heaven of $200 million. Viola Davis and Octavia This is how nine films fell into the big have everyday things to worry about." Spencer were forecast to win Oscars. picture. The Academy learned to love him from In September, the Toronto and New Three premiered in Cannes mid-May, a distance and gave him Best Original York Film Festivals and Fox Searchlight a distant nine months ago, creating an Screenplay as a consolation. presented Alexander Payne's Hawaiian Oscar campaign as long as any human Terrence Malick's long-awaited, familysaga, The Descendants, which broke pregnancy. At the Palais, the first inkling esoteric The Tree of Life was unveiled at out of the pack with whispers of winning. of Oscar buzz was born as the reclusive Cannes and won the coveted Palme D'Or, Beloved George Clooney, playing a Woody Allen premiered Midnight in positioning it for a nomination. father for the first time was hailed as a Paris. PBS later aired a documentary of The Artist, created by the French, shot shoo-in for best actor. Directing Ides of Woody discussing his forty-four films in Hollywood and about Hollywood was March added momentum. showing the astonishing depth of his the festival surprise. This charming and Also at New York's festival Marty talent that made you want to immediately oddly original black-and-white silent Scorsese and Paramount sneaked an hand him the Oscar for Best Picture. entry was introduced by the ringmaster unfinished cut of Hugo in Alice Tully Academy rules and Woody forbade himself, Harvey Weinstein. No one Hall, built for concerts but converted into marketing this gem. could pronounce or spell director Michel a 3-D theater. Marty was christened the Woody is not a member of the Hazanavicius's name. Jean Dujardin visionary genius of an innovative, costly Academy becase he doesn't feel that films could not speak a word of English and 3-D masterpiece. should be in competition. He told me, "A neither could his 10-year-old co-star, the Director Bennett Miller's highly statue does not change your life. You still Jack Russell Uggie who had been rescued anticipated Moneyball for Sony hit a get a cold. You can't get a date. You still from the pound after two adopters found grand slam at its west coast premiere in SSIMMNUEAUGAZINE.APML2M2 EFTA01069595 Oakland putting the film, its heart throb star Marlin Scorcese Meryl Streeo Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and seasoned writers Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin in play. Spielberg's epic War Horse for DreamWorks came thundering down the pike with a huge premiere back at Alice Tully Hall, with posters of Lincoln Center's Tony winning theatrical version and their indelible puppets in the background. Steven paid homage to legends John Ford and David Lean and the country fell in love with a horse named Joey and his 14 stand-ins. Studios worked their stars to the bone. Ironically, Harvey Weinstein's independent French talent who lived in Paris were not as available as their competitors, therefore Uggie became a superstar igniting a pet war. Christopher Plummer, who had Best Supporting Actor in the bag promoted his Jack Russell, Cosmo. Diminutive Scorsese was seen on TV on a small couch with his large Doberman, Mackie, drooling on his suit. Spielberg never got a chance to trot out his lead horse Joey, previously seen in Seabiscuit because his ravishing reddish coat was now darkened for another role. By December, as film critics bestowed their own awards upon many films, Stephen Daldry struggled to finish Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close with a new score. There was buzz Daldry could be editing the winner. Producer Scott Rudin juggled his astounding three films in one year from Daldry, Miller and David Pincher directing Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Daldry has received three consecutive directing nominations. In January, for his fourth film, he received a Best Picture :,ncl Michelle nomination, for a boy's emotional journey dealing with 9/11, and the nine films were officially off and running. Forty-five film and Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II media groups handed out awards leading up of Monaco to Oscar night. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 My airplane seatmate to LAX was Sony Classics Michael Barker. The night before Woody Allen had shown Michael To Rome With Love, his new film shot in Rome and rumored to be his best. When Woody won the Oscar Sunday night, for a record breaking 23rd overall nomination, he had just finished pasta at Sette Mezzo on Lexington Avenue with art dealer Lorinda Ash and Soon-Yi. He went home and watched the N.B.A. All-Star Bran Pitt and game. Soon-Yi watched the awards Araelina Jot-e David and Vicrona show on a TiVo delay in another room. Beckham I EFTA01069596  .la -e Fonda and Richar r‘ By the time Woody won, he had fallen asleep and Soon-Yi didn't want to wake him. The next morning he went to the breakfast table alone and read in The New York Times that he had won. He had to think it was a good omen and he would not catch a cold that day. Before Michael and I flattened our recliner chairs for the big sleep, I told him I felt confident his Iranian film A Separation would win Best Foreign Film. He told me The Artist would take Best Picture and Director. Actor was a tight race between Brad Pitt, Jean Dujardin, the "Clooney of France" and the real George Clooney. George was essentially running against a version of himself, which only slightly amused him. The biggest dilemma was Viola vs. Meryl. Nlichael picked Meryl as New Yorkers did. Meryl's publicist Leslee Dart whispered to me. "She is dressed like Billy Crysta an Oscar. What do Scarlett Johansson Sauna Hayek we do if she loses?" Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson The Help had taken on a life of its own lead by vivacious Viola in I.A. The Iron Lady, a much criticized film, showcased Meryl's tour-de-force performance. Few knew at the last minute, on President's weekend, Harvey's shout out, "She hasn't won in 29 years!" resonated. An androgynous driver named Monica greeted me at the airport in a black tuxedo that would make Albert Nobbs weep for joy, prompting me to devilishly think of her as "Hobbs" all weekend. She barely recognized me sporting a new Sally Hershberger hairdo, "the yenta with the dragon tattoo!" Checking into the Beverly Hills Hotel I bumped into Best Actress nominee, Golden Globe and Spirit Award winner Michelle Williams with her daughter Matilda Ledger headed to the swimming pool. Innocently standing there with no makeup she was remarkably the antithesis of Marilyn Monroe. I told her she so deserved the Oscar for her mesmerizing transformation which did not cheer her up knowing the 60 I AVENUE MACAZINF. • APRIL 2012 EFTA01069597 gold was going to Viola or Meryl. This year there seemed to be more parties than ever. Vanity Fair publisher Edward Menicheschi staged a staggering six nights of "CAMPAIGN HOLLYWOOD." Ermenegildo Zenga and Cohn and Livia Firth hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont to benefit Oxfam America, Colin's pet charity. Editor Graydon Carter and Edward greeted Cameron Din, Kristin Davis, Gary and Alexandra Oldman and Mia Wasikowska. In addition, Livia spoke about her 'Green Carpet Challenge' which uses eco•friendly fabrics for "wear it once" gowns at awards shows. Get it? Go green on red. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Thursday night boasted 15 events causing party panic. Here is a brief rundown of seven. At Die Hollywood Reporter's Nominee Night, editor Janice Min and publisher Lynne Segall greeted the power brokers. With ballots in, competing studios cordially mingled in the Mayor's backyard. Owen Wilson slipped in the back door and hung with Michael Sheen and producer Letty Aronson. Producers Kathy Kennedy and Frank Marshall chatted with DreamWorks' partner Stacey Snyder, producer Graham King and Emily Mortimer. Fox's Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos compared notes with Focus James Shamus. Young directors Drake Doremus (Like Crazy), Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Oscar nominee and Spirit Award winner J.C. Chandor (Margin Call) drank at the bar. Breakout directors Nick Jarecki (Arbitrage), Zal Batmanglij (Sound of My Voice and The East) and Jay Duplass (Jeff Who Lives at Home) dreamed about their future nominations. Aaron Sorkin, Piers Morgan and Lawrence O'Donnell handicapped Romney vs. Obama as Brooklyn Decker sashayed by. Urs Fisher's exhibition Beds Problem Paintings featured two bed sculptures at Larry Gagosian's Gallery followed by his private dinner at Mr. Chow's. Art lovers Vera Wang, Russell Simmons, Steve Martin, Jean Pigozzi and John Waters attended. The US•Ireland Alliance honored nominees Hugo screenwriter John Logan, Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy and Michelle Williams at Bad Robot. Logan also wrote Rango, Coriolanus, 007's Skyfall and Jersey Boys for the big screen. APRIL 5012 • AVENUE MAGAZINE 161 EFTA01069598  English producer of the Harry Potter Woody is not a member of the franchise who was honored at the Publicists Awards lunch at The Beverly Academy because he doesn't feel Hilton. "Motion Picture Showman of the that films should be in competition. Year' was the consolation prize for being snubbed by the Academy for visualizing He told me, "A statue does not change a publishing miracle for children around the world. your life. You still get a cold. You can't "Nobbs" whisked me off to the British Film Reception hosted by get a date. You still have everyday Jeremy Hunt, UK Secretary of State for Culture and Olympics and the British things to worry about." Consul-General Dante Barbara Hay, in her Hancock Park residence. Upon introduction, I blurted out that my friend Lord Astor was interested in having Alfre Woodard hosted a down and Tobias Meyer, auctioneer for Sotheby's L.A. people get to know his son-in-law, dirty girls night out in a rented house and art dealer Mark Fletcher hosted Prime Minister David Cameron. As an above Sunset for Viola Davis and Octavia an open house at their Mulholland appointed diplomat she was horrified by Spencer. Drive home for American avant-garde my indiscretion and turned to greet the Universal honcho Ron Meyer hosted a photographer Terry Richardson. This is next American idiot. I was just making civilized private buffet at his Malibu home the only pre-Oscar party where a guest conversation. for Graydon Carter with Tom Cruise, dropped his pants and mooned the red Daldry told Sony's Sir Howard Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbra Streisand, carpet and Terry signed a fans breast. Stringer and astute film CEO Michael Tom Hanks and Michael Douglas. Art collectors Bill and Maria Bell, Todd Lynton, Kenneth Branagh, Janet McTeer Stunningsocialite BetseyBloomingdale Eberle, rock singer Jack Donahue and and Gary Oldman that he, as executive gave a seated dinner at her Holmby Hills Francesco Clemente schmoozed. producer of the Olympics, was headed home for best friends Nancy Reagan, back to London to oversee special events, Wendy Stark, Bob Colacello, Joan FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 including the opening ceremony, directed Collins and fashion icon Lynn Wyatt. At the BHH I ran into David Heyman, by Danny Boyle. Victoria Beckham 62 AVENUE MAGAZINE • APRIL 1012 EFTA01069599 made a dramatic, sullen, last-minute appearance looking perfectly skinny in a dress from her eponymous collection. At the Women in Film cocktail party at Cecconi's, Gwyneth Paltrow, Shailene Woodley, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens networked with Jessica, Octavia and Viola now of social stamina fame. Blythe Danner kissed me at the door as a military-type looked on. I kept saying to him, "Where have we met?" Nowhere. He was astronaut Mark E. Kelly who came with Blythe and is married to former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Paltrow's second cousin. Only I could mistake an astronaut for a movie marketing guy. Vanity Fair feted Scorsese and The Film Foundation, which has saved 555 films in 22 years. Cocktails were at the restored Bel-Air Hotel. Honorary Jewess Lorraine Bracco ran past me yelling that she was late for Ronald Perelman's Shabbat dinner. Three, three-time Oscar winners: composer Howard Shore, costume designer Sandy Powell and editor Thelma Schoonmaker were honored. Sir Ben Kingsley, Danny Huston, Patty Clarkson, Irwin Winkler and Giorgio Armani's niece Roberta Armani with Wanda McDaniels debated best director: Marty or Michel? Jim Balms' soiree that police almost themselves. "Nobbs" delivered me to WME's shut down because the DJ got carried I huddled with Meryl on the couch and Party at kahuna Ari Emanuels away impressing Harrison Ford, we talked about her race. She thought Brentwood estate, where NFL Charming Tatum, Jerry Bruckheimer, Viola. I thought Meryl. She didn't know quarterback and new client Tom Freston, Disney's Rich Ross, about Harvey's last-minute "29 year" Tim Tebow was the toast of SNI.'s Lorne Michaels and Oscar show shout out. the party, especially to Taylor producer Brian Grazer. I hugged Bette Midler and flirted Swift who made $35.7 million Sunset Tower Hotel owner Jeff Klein with Jim Sturgess and Bennett Miller. this year. Michael Douglas and producer John Goldwyn hosted a Universal's Donna Langley, who is gave me a kiss... doesn't secret dinner for Anna and Graydon overseeing Tom Hooper's production get any better. Longtime Carter at their Hollywood Hills home La Misembles, mentioned Hugh lovebirds Robert Pattinson with Tom Ford, Mitch Glazer, Fran Jackman's impeccable manners should and Kristen Stewart made Lebowitz, Vito Schnabel, Denise Hale, insure best behavior from Russell Crowe. a rare appearance, glued Lisa and Eric Eisner and VF's Punch I introduced HBO's Game Change to each other's hips. Hutton, who is Tim Hutton's sister. director Jay Roach, who is an authority They mingled with co- Last stop was CAA Byran Lourd's on Hitler, to George Clooney who is star Taylor Lautner, "Friday Night Party". "Nobbs" writing a thriller about the Nazis stealing Miley Cyrus, and her was instructed to drop me off at a art. Clooney whispered, "The Frenchman Hunger Games beau Liam neighborhood school where a luxury van is winning." Hemsworth. Meanwhile transported guests to the stone and glass I thanked Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane Charlize Theron, Jack Bel-Air estate situated on a narrow street. and Richard Lovett, got on the bus and Black Rooney Mara, Ben I knew that guests Colin Firth, Penelope prayed that I get invited back Stiller, Barry Sonnenfeld Cruz, Sofia Vergara, Salma Hayek, and Larry David talked Sandra Bullock, and Glee's Matthew SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Santana business with moguls Les Moonves and Viaconis Philippe Dauman. Morrison did not arrive by bus. Once inside the playing field leveled out and pound for pound there was more famous I dragged my tired ass to the Academy, as foreign film aficionado Mark Johnson was conducting a symposium on the Next was UTA Chairman flesh per square inch than the Oscars nominated films, which included Sony APRIL 2011. AVENUE MAGAZDIEI 63 EFTA01069600  Michael Shannon and director Jeff Company's bash at the Soho House in Nichols. Tom held court at the next time to hear Tony Bennett sing "Autumn table with the entire Iranian cast of A Leaves" to Harvey's surprised 86-year- Separation, which won. Tom almost had old mother Miriam, Madonna and a heart attack when I threw my arms Meryl. Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, around Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, Michel Hazanavicius and producer which in Iran is unacceptable behavior, Thomas Langmann staggered around especially by a Jewish American Princess. completely jet lagged, too tired to speak Tom wished I had gone to the crowded English. Uggie on the other hand was champagne brunch in honor of Prince the absolute star of the evening as his Albert and Princess Charlene at the Bel- trainer placed him in everyone's arms Air Hotel where Montblanc launched for photos. W.E's Andrea Riseborough Grace Kelly watches. Simultaneously, and Abbie Cornish sat next to baseball TV producer Gary Pudney hosted cap-clad Leonardo DiCaprio as his ex, another secretive, lunch which Albert Bar Refaeli, kept her distance across and Charlene actually attended with the room. Zoe Saldana walked in Graydon Carter, Carolina Herrera, holding hands with Bradley Cooper. Wallace Annenberg, Bobby Shriver, Scarlett Johansson introduced me to Bobby Marx,Kathy and Ricky Hilton her boyfriend Nate Naylor. Katy Perry, and Lynn Wyatt. Wolfgang Puck Felicity Jones and Malin Alterman joined them for dessert. circled a refreshed Gerard Butler. The "The French;' as the The two daughters ofNew York slain hero cop Artist gang was nicknamed, had Peter Figoski, Corrine, 14 and Caroline, I won six Cesars, France's version 16 who had also been Harvey's guests at of the Oscars, in Paris the night the Super Bowl stood in the middle of before. They flew all night and this circus and just fainted. Harvey's chauffeur arranged a police escort from LAX just in SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 time for them to win four Spirit I met interior designer Nicky Haslam Awards, cementing the Oscar in the Polo Lounge and found Nancy win. Reagan brunching with Bob Colacello Back at the BHH, Spielberg and Carolina Herrera. Nancy knows me was the first to arrive at the as "The DVD Lady". I promised to send tenth annual "Night Before" her The Iron Lady. I didn't have the heart fundraiser in support of the to tell her that her late husband, who was Motion Picture and Television Margaret Thatcher's best friend, was Fund. Jeffrey Katzenberg had barely mentioned in the film. already secured $200 of a $350 In a Marchesa gown, Dennis Basso million fundraising goal that fur and Iradj Moini necklace, I collected included money from him, Simon Curtis and headed to the Tom Cruise, Steve Bing, Hollywood 8r Highland Center. Simon, Casey Wasserman, Clooney who has never been to the Oscars before, and Spielberg. Every nominee miraculously scored a front row seat showed up. between Michelle Williams and Clooney. Chanel and Charles Finch We pulled up to screams ofhysteria at the cooked up their chic soiree at mother of all red carpets. Cole Firth and Live Clan.: in n Madeo, where a mariachi band Meryl's publicist Leslee Dart enthusiastically announced whispered to me. "She is dressed like everyone's arrival. Bedecked an Oscar. What do we do if she loses?" exclusively in Chanel were Diane Sacha Baron Cohen hilariously guilted Classic's Footnote from Israel and A Kruger, Elizabeth Olsen, Rose Byrne, the Academy into letting him wear his Separation from Iran. From the other Ginnifer Goodwin and Rachel Bilson. costume from The Dictator and, after side of the world both governments Also air kissing were Rachel Zoe, soiling Ryan Seacrest, he went directly monitored their directors as the Sony Rosanna Arquette, Mice Evans and to dinner at Vanity Fair. Gwyneth boys kept the peace. loan Gruffudd, Zachary Quinto, Julia Paltrow won the style award in Tom Michael and Tom Bernard invited me Ormond and Dustin Hoffman. Ford's white column and Angelina Jolie to the Independent Spirit Awards at the My Week With Marilyn's English so successfully invented a new one legged Santa Monica Pier. Michael hosted his director Simon Curtis insisted we join pose in a thigh high slit gown on the red Take Shelter nominees Jessica Chastain, Kenneth Branagh at The Weinstein carpet she repeated it for 39.3 million 64 I AVENUE LIAC.APJNE • APRIL NUE EFTA01069601  I introduced HBO's Game Change director Jay Roach, who is an authority on Hitler, to George Clooney who is writing a thriller about the Nazis stealing art. Clooney whispered,"The Frenchman is winning." people onstage. Stephanie Seymour, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tickets were so tight that I gave my plus Ingrid Sischy, Sandy Brant and Wendi one to Penelope Ann Miller because she Murdoch with Bingbing Li. promoted The Artist every day for four George Clooney threw his own months. Seated next to us were costars exclusive after party at Craig's in West James Cromwell and Mini Pyle. Hollywood for close friends Bryan Billy Crystal made us laugh, Cirque de Lourd, Grant Heslov, Stan Rosenfield, Soleil made us gasp and most of the wins Brad and Angelina, Emily Blunt and were expected. John Krasinski, Cindy Crawford, Colin Firth crowned Meryl her third Jimmy Kimmel, Ryan Seacrest and best win on a record 17 nominations and adapted screenplay winner Alexander Harvey beamed. Payne. The Academy was so confident The George and Brad cancelled each Artist would win, they invited Uggie, other out with two great performances. who waited in the wings and ran out as Clooney immediately returned to his best Tom Cruise announced the film. role as humanitarian, flew to the Sudan, Once the show was off the air, I followed met with Obama and was dramatically my seatmates to the stage loaded with arrested at a protest. their programs, wraps and handbags and "The French" threw a wild led the French to the press rooms. celebration at the Chateau The Governor's Ball was the next Marmont, poured champagne stop where the winners got their Oscars down their throats and threw engraved. Everyone paid respects to each other in the pool at 3:00 the Academy's Tom Sherak and Dawn a.m. Nobody spoke English. Hudson. Stars headed to the Sunset Tower By 4:00 a.m. Harvey to Graydon's glittering Vanity Fair Oscar rounded up his artists for a bash and their militarized security with live broadcast on The Today micro chipped cards. If your name was Show from The Four Seasons not on the list and you were carrying an lobby. In disheveled black tie, Oscar, you could walk in. Billy and Janice five Oscar winners, all total Crystal were mobbed with well wishers. unknowns a year ago, made Oscar Elton John made $5 million dollars at his history with the first silent film to 20th AmFar event which also auctioned win since 1927. off two tickets to Vanity Fair's party for It wasn't God, but 5,800 $230,000.Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Academy voters who said they were thrilled to talk to George Lucas. won. This had to be the most Gwyneth snuggled with Coldplay's Chris exciting night of their lives. The Martin and Jennifer Lopez brought boy glory and memories live forever. toy Casper Smart. Every major actor The next day they went back previously mentioned is standing in the to reality . As Woody says, "A room. Spotted in a sea of celebrity were statue does not really change Tina Fey, Glenn Close, Olivia Wilde your life. You still get a cold." and Jason Sudeikis, Terry George, Jane Uggie was invited Fonda, Demian Bichir, Claire Danes, to the White House Georgina Meryl's daughters Mamie Gummer with correspondent's dinner as Chapman and Harvey Weinstein husband Ben Walker, Grace Gummer, a guest of the Washington Salma Hayek, Brit Marling, Natalie Times in April. He hopes to Portman, Sofia Coppola, Peter Brant, meet President Obama. EFTA01069602