Steve Tisch talking Super Bowl contenders on the balcony… Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon huddled in the hallway as a two-woman tag team …“Captain America” Chris Evans facing down “Superman” Henry Cavill … Cara Delevingne taking polaroid selfies … Roger Friedman acknowledging his buzzy Phylicia Rashad “Cosby” defense interview … Miles Teller and Robert Duvall having an inter-generational chat by the fireplace … and some actual firemen searching the penthouse (cue the “this party was hot” pun disaster) were just some of W Magazine’s Best Performances from its party at the Chateau Marmont on Thursday night.
Also read: Golden Globes Predictions: Who Will Win, Who Should Win
With most (or many) contributing to the portfolios on hand, it had the familiar ease of a sanctuary of those who had worked together often, bolstered by the perennial pervasive clubhouse retreat vibe of the Chateau. (Owner Andres Balasz was a co-host with Hirschberg and W’s Stefano Tonchi.)
Embellishing the actor contenders with sports, media, music,and fashion pep led to a mix of cross-cultural elegance mixed with guard dropping defense. People had house party style fun. (Even host Hirschberg could find time to crash on a couch and take down a slice of pizza.) Here’s six more great moments from Thursday evening’s Golden Globes warmup.
Beardsman Christian Grey
Staring down the barrel of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” press tour, Jamie Dornan has gone the way of Mark Burnett, Joaquin Phoenix in his “I’m Still Here” phase, and his predecessor in Christian Grey, Charlie Hunnam: a beard. (Of note, Dornan and Hunnam have met long before “Fifty Shades” entered the picture he said.)
Dornan told a friend that the beard is in part to try to distance himself from the character Christian Grey. He and fellow Brit Eddie Redmayne spent lots of time buddied up in one of the more private living rooms, which would become an unofficial Brit embassy.
Later in the night, Joanne Froggatt (nominated for her harrowing season on “Downton Abbey”) would itemize and analyze the competitors in her category with Dornan. Good thing she’s not a voter herself. She thinks Michelle Monaghan from “True Detective” is “amazing” and binged her whole season in two days.
Sony’s Michael Lynton: Fashion Pass Granted
The most casual man in the room? The one who has had the least casual season so far: Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton.
Also read: Sony Pictures’ Michael Lynton Explains Low ‘Interview’ Digital Price, Ongoing Hack Response
Comfortable in a cardigan and flannel shirt, Lynton made his first public outing since the Sony hacking began in November. Earlier on Thursday, he had given a new interview to the AP, thus becoming increasingly public and the public face (not Amy Pascal) of the recovery, even in this completely social environment.
No pictures of the Mr. Rogers inspired fashion threads or the man in them, but his demeanor echoed his statements that the current status is “manageable”.
Paris Hilton: No Coachella Gig, No Problem
When Coachella released their 2015 lineup earlier this week, there were lots of DJ’s slated for the desert, but not the most polarizing player in the business: Paris Hilton.
Asked whether she was bummed to be left off the roster, she reminded this party columnist of southern californian’s narrow view of the world. “I play music festivals all over the world,” she scolded. If reports are accurate, she’s making a lot of money doing it, to the consternation of Deadmau5 and other pillars of the EDM industry.
Staying true to her music scene (“What I love & live for,” she tweeted,) her new buddy of the night was singer Brooke Candy. Candy, who had been turning heads at the party with extensive body tattoos (hairline, neck, hands, and sides) got the approval stamp from Hilton, judging her as “beyond”.
“Here Come the Strippers”
More than a handful of people made this joke as a squadron of handsome firemen (all men) in full yellow regalia and hard hats entered the penthouse, the only people to blow off the Dom Perignon welcome, for a look-see around 9:30 p.m. “Just looking around,” they said, quelling the off-hand freak chance it was a “Magic Mike XXL” stunt.
Possibly related, there had been a power outage in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard at the same time. With the all-clear, and more people OK to roll in, Aziz Ansari, Kate Walsh, and Sarah Hyland flowed through the door around 10 p.m. bringing new energy in to the room.
“We’ll Go Crash That Party” – Zach Braff
Zach Braff and “Scrub” buddy Donald Faison were almost mistakenly ushered up to the six floor soiree. Their entry to the Chateau was as civilians – just there as part of the normal course of being Zach Braff and Donald Faison and not as part of the Best Performances bash. Arriving in street clothes amidst the phalanx of Cadillacs and paparazzi outside, Chateau host Anya Varda tried to usher them upstairs before they said they were just there for dinner or drinks.
Joking about the misunderstanding, but muddling the game of telephone further, Zach told Donald, “There’s a WME party upstairs, we’ll go crash that party.” There was not, and they did not. But Ari, how ‘bout it next year?
Double Dose: Jessica Chastain, Kate Walsh, and Christoph Waltz at Audi
No crashing of any kind – cars or guests – as Audi’s Golden Globes party packed Cecconi’s in West Hollywood in what has now become their Thursday night timeslot. “Birdman” villain Ed Norton dressed the part in all black, while Jessica Chastain, Kate Walsh, and Christoph Waltz would grab Globes weekend by the horns, hitting both Audi and W in the same night.
“Downton’s” “downstairs” delegation of Lesley Nicol (cook Mrs. Patmore, a regular) and the aforementioned Froggatt buddied up as well. Neither Perrey Reeves (nor her “Mrs. Ari” character on “Entourage”) are dating Bobby Flay anymore – she talked up her recent engagement. Look for the same black A8 L TDI’s that shuttled these guys in around around town this weekend – there’s likely precious cargo onboard.