The highlight of the Oscar After-Parties? Sir Elton John strolling up on his own stage to join Florence Welch at the Elton John Aids Foundation Viewing Party. Their “Tiny Dancer” duet had black tie guests standing up on couches to crane their necks at the annual benefit that raised $4million for the fight against HIV/AIDs last night at the Pacific Design Center. John returned the spirit, joining Welch on her song “You Got the Love”, before confusing his security team and exiting off the “unprotected” side of the stage.
Earlier in the night, Sharon Stone and Glee’s Chris Colfer sat at the host’s elbows at Table 43 for the multi-hour dinner/viewing party portion of the evening. After several hours on-air for E!, Kelly Osbourne and mom Sharon took in the awards from the glam tent. Co-host David Furnish, Sir Ben Kingsley, Steven Tyler, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Serena Williams, Eric McCormack, Quincy Jones, and Nicole Richie & Joel Madden lit up the dinner portion.
As the party kicked in to high gear, fast-friends Josh Hutcherson (“The Kids Are All Right”) got down on the dance floor with Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. During the Florence + The Machine Performance, Chace Crawford and Matthew Morrison were clinking glass liter bottles of water together and chugging from them, as Michael Stipe watched intently, oddly wearing a plastic hotel-employee-style nametag that said “Michael Stipe”.
John has vowed to hold the event every year until a cure is found, making good on his promise for the 19th straight Oscar night. Philanthropists Jo and Raffi Manoukian, close personal friends of Sir Elton for nearly 20 years serve as trustees for the foundation and sponsored the event, along with Chopard and American Airlines.
Some big names that weren’t in the room also kicked in big. Lorne Michaels gave a package to attend the Elton John episode of Saturday Night Live on April 2, where he will both host and perform. (This had not been announced by NBC or leaked to the media yet.) It included a trip to the famed cast after-party.
Also up for grabs? The chance to follow behind John and Furnish and head up San Vicente to join in the Vanity Fair Oscar party at the Sunset Tower, where John went after leaving his own stage. Everyone got Godiva chocolate boxes on the way out, and some found a case of Red Bull in their cars.
Up at the Chateau, Colin Firth got a big cheer when he entered a quickly drafted celebration for Best Picture winner “The King’s Speech”. The exclusive Champagne of the Oscars Moet & Chandon took the party from the Hollywood and Highland over to the Chateau, and Ultimat Vodka also jumped on board with the winning Weinsteins. Above, Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Oscar. Regulars Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Paz de la Huerta were in the room, and Joel McHale also hung with the winners before heading to Vanity Fair.
Winner for Best Original Screenplay for "The King's Speech," David Seidler (pictured below) told TheWrap on Friday that he had not been invited to Vanity Fair and “was cancelling his subscription.” (He was joking.) Ultimat concocted a “Crown Martini” to play off the film’s new “coronation” as king of the night.(Photos by John Shearer.)
Across the street at Graydon Carter’s VF bash, it was take your daughter/father to the Oscar night. Heads were turning inside the bash when Madonna showed up on the red carpet with daughter Lourdes. (They show the outside arrivals on monitors inside.) While the 14-year old has made some red carpets in the past, this was a coming out party of sorts. Inside, Justin Bieber came with Selena Gomez …and his dad. But it wasn’t all family time as he got some close talking in the ear from Mick Jagger. Earlier in the night during dinner, there was a round of applause for guest Tom Ford as Firth thanked him in his acceptance speech.
While Mary Hart (“Entertainment Tonight”) continued to report as the rare media guest, she was not alone as she has been in the past. LA Times’ Matt Donnelly (“Ministry of Gossip” columnist) returned for a second year.
Elsewhere, James Franco had a party at his new “Writer’s Room” in Hollywood, Guy Oseary and Madonna had their party in the hills, and Ryan Kavanaugh hosted a late night breakfast at Madeo.
