November 21, 2005 |
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"I BELIEVED in Santa Claus until I was 17 when some mean person told me it wasn't true."
That's Paris Hilton in the December issue of Shop Etc. magazine.
But soon Paris woke up to the fact that the old fellow with the white beard and a reindeer complex wasn't her only outlet for goodies. She switched to Greek shipping tycoons who never ask if she's been naughty or nice.
HOLLYWOOD restaurateurs Eva and Michael Chow invited a staggering array of movie and TV stars to help celebrate their new six-story mansion in Holmby Hills last week. Gucci and InStyle magazine underwrote the dinner - expect pics in the next issue! (It was for a good cause, too. Children's Action Network-Westside Children's Center benefited.) Get this guest list:
Gorgeous Charlize Theron and her equally gorgeous guy, Stuart Townsend of TV's "Night Stalker." Responding to constant marriage speculation, Townsend said, "We're never, ever getting married. Not ever. Just to piss them all off! ("Them" are the paparazzi that hovered scarily over Charlize and Stuart's home recently, thinking the pair was marrying. In fact it was Charlize's mom who was tying the knot.)
Lindsay Lohan, looking much more glamorous as a brunette, arrived late and left early, but made an impression - even show biz vets think she has that old-style va-va-voom.
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, the most tormented-by-the-media couple in Hollywood, looked like anything but the raging, about-to-split pair they are painted as. Jessica and Nick held hands all night and Simpson said: "We are very much in love. He is my soul mate."
Steven Spielberg, taking time from post-production on his eagerly awaited "Munich" feature, was there with wife Kate Capshaw and pal Drew Barrymore, who rocketed to fame in Spielberg's "ET: the Extra-Terrestrial." Steven said of Drew: "She made me everything I am today!"
Tom Hanks, looking very youthful these days, and his wife, Rita Wilson, who always looks great, wandered up to the roof for some dancing. Laura Dern, Jeremy Piven, Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Topher Grace, Tatum O'Neal, Jimmy Fallon, Stevie Wonder and dozens of other A-listers ate, drank and boogied until late into the night.
But the undisputed man of the evening was hot, hot, hot Patrick Dempsey the "Grey's Anatomy" sex symbol. Patrick, who has slowly matured from cute and gawky to handsome and assured, was mobbed without mercy. Asked about his new surge of popularity Dempsey said, "I'm just glad to be working. I'm happy to be at this party. I am so thankful!"
Not just thankful, but generous. As Patrick left the fete, a staffer ran after him, "Oh, Mr. Dempsey, you forgot your gift bag!" The star smiled and said, "Kid, I think I have enough Gucci. You keep it."
TOMORROW IS the last day the public can view the spectacular Bob Mackie exhibition of costumes and couture up for auction at Christie's. This is one of the most incredible collections of baubles, bangles and beads ever seen! Clothes worn by Cher, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Elton John, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn and the greatest clotheshorse of them all - Barbie! Bob Mackie knew how to make glamorous women look like a million - no, $10 million dollars! (Years ago Cher, on her TV show, came onstage in what appeared to be a transparent gown; one that made her seem bustier than usual. She looked into the camera and deadpanned, "Don't be fooled. You only think you're seeing what you think you see.")
A portion of the proceeds from the auction benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and commences tomorrow. Visit www.christies.com.
FROM THEIR house in Umbria came Ben Gazzara and wife Elke Krivat. The couple was feted at New York City's Primola Restaurant. Ben, recently honored for life achievement at the San Sebastian Film Festival, has two new movies upcoming "Pope John Paul II" with Jon Voight (Ben plays a cardinal) and also "Paris, I Love You" with Gena Rowlands and Gerard Depardieu. Gazzara, who published his autobiography early this year, is writing a second book, a novel. (Probably all the juicy stuff he couldn't put in his memoir without hurting feelings.)
I'VE HEARD some complaints about Madonna at 47, dancing around in figure-revealing get-ups - inappropriate, they say. (How funny, these same critics called her a phony when she dressed like a lady and read to children!) Tina Turner was 46 when she made her famous comeback with skirts up to there and four-inch high heels. Cher was well into her 50s when she blasted off again with "Believe" and then began her long, long, long farewell tour. Yes, these are all above-average examples - in terms of money, privilege, exercise and skin-care time - but even the non-famous woman of 2005 knows that 40 no longer spells an end to sex and silliness and looking good in next-to-nothing. Riding high with "Confessions on a Dance Floor," Madonna won't hide her light - or her tush - under a bush.
(E-mail Liz Smith at MES3838@aol.com, or write to her c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207.)
©2005 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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