Drama Queen
From her tinted hair to her Valentino couture gown, Lady Gaga — nominated for “A Star Is Born” — went for a monochromatic theme, in periwinkle no less, and brought some much-needed fashion zing to a Golden Globes red carpet that otherwise played it relatively staid and safe. But she is Gaga, after all, so there’s no surprise there — and she even took home the trophy for best original song for “Shallow.” For more on the Globes,
Golden Globe nominees were already in a celebratory mood this weekend ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, attending parties hosted by W magazine, BAFTA, and The Art of
Elysium. BY ERICKA FRANKLIN
“This is my favorite party of the Golden Globes weekend,” said Tracee Ellis Ross, clad in sequined Carolina Herrera and Jordan Jumpmans, during W Magazine's annual Best Performances fete. "I don't know if I'm allowed to say that, but it is," she added.
Just as the walls to the entrance of Chateau Marmont's penthouse in West Hollywood were packed with selects from the magazine's award season portfolio, the room was also overflowing with almost every celebrity imaginable.
“You know it is, you can barely move,” joked Lakeith Stanfield in response to an editor's inquiry of whether or not it was a good party.
Among those who contributed to the density of the Audi- and Giorgio Armani Beauty-sponsored bash were Emma Stone, Michael B. Jordan, Kiki Layne, Sam Rockwell, Steven Yeun, Kate Beckinsale, and Nicole Kidman.
Kidman, who holds one of the seven designated magazine covers noted, “It's just a lovely honor to be included.” She then inched away to congratulate Joanna Kulig.
“There's a baby in there,” Kidman cooed. “You need a lot of sleep when you're pregnant.”
Nearby, and with three nominations this year, the game plan of preparation was similar for Amy Adams. Having already secured her look over the holiday, the “Sharp Objects” star said, “I'm just trying to get a lot of sleep and relaxation.”
When it comes to day-of celebrations, Adams added she'd be in the rooting mood.
“Regina King is always amazing,” she said. “And Rachel Weisz is someone I admire because she's moving into producing as well. I always like when people are creating work for themselves and others. I think that's very inspiring.”
Later on in the evening, Fiona Xie arrived and wasn't shy about her top pick for the big day.
"I have to be biased and say I hope ‘Crazy Rich Asians' scores the Best Comedy," she said. "I'm rooting for the home team.”
And while the overt political overtone from last year's awards season has softened, the night proved it still lingers in the air.
When asked what she expects from this year's ceremony, presenter Amandla Stenberg ►
noted, “A lot of strong women.”
The next afternoon, although the British brought posh accents, tea and petite uncrusted sandwiches for their annual BAFTA tea party, the atmosphere felt relaxed and swathed in a kindred spirit.
“What's up, brother?”
Adam Driver said while pulling John David Washington in with a handshake.
The co-stars of the fourtime Golden Globe-nominated film “BlacKkKlansman” were just one facet of the ease that manifested around the grounds of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
Take Glenn Close, who lauded her daughter and co-star of “The Wife,” Annie Starke. “[She] is a much wiser person than I am,” Close said. “She's been out there pounding the pavement like everyone else and, some days, I think at a disadvantage because I'm her mom. Hopefully, she'll have a wonderful role to prove to people and herself how truly gifted she is.”
And however fast-paced the red carpet proved to be aligning with her heart, Patricia Arquette was kept calm as her boyfriend Eric White stood close by and her daughter held her hand. “I mean, really, I've been in denial about all of this until about an hour ago,” said the actress, who is nominated for her work in “Escape at Dannemora." “Then I started having a low-grade anxiety attack that I'm hiding while we speak.”
For Spike Lee, nerves and preparation are not much of a concern. When asked of his speech in the event of a win for Best Director, he said with a smile, “My wife told me I need to start working on one. I don't do films to be rewarded by organizations, but the reward comes from people coming up to me with how they were affected by the film. That's the real joy.”
Later that evening, the stars descended upon a secret location in Koreatown in search of "Heaven." Guests at the
12th annual gala for The Art of Elysium feasted on a family-style dinner and watched the unveiling of Peter Dundas' Hollywoodinspired D7 collection.
The event, which benefits individuals experiencing crisis, drew Lily Collins, Dree Hemingway, Kris Jenner, Rooney Mara and
Dita Von Teese, among others, to honor artists Beau Dunn and Michael Muller for their efforts as volunteers over the years.
Although both agreed the recognition was a shock, they were grateful. “I've been volunteering since 2002," said Dunn. "It's never going to stop; it's just something that's built inside of me. Giving back, I receive as much as I give.”
Muller was also tapped to design the event with his own interpretation of heaven that included a 3-D underwater experience and oversize pupils.
“He really nailed the message,” founder Jennifer Howell noted. “Heaven is connection. I think the biggest thing we give to everyone we serve and everyone who volunteers is a real human connection.”