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Party Watch: Celebrating with the Stars at the Toronto Film Festival

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:59:54 PDT

After the red carpets emptied and the movie theaters turned off their lights, the celebrities attending the annual Toronto International Film Festival made good use of their chauffeured cars and fancy duds by hitting the many parties and intimate shindigs held around town.

From the large studio fetes to the impromptu bar hopping, PARADE has all the details of the late-night shenanigans and A-list mingling.

Friday: The night kicked off the weekend with a bang as Hollywood's reigning royal couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stopped in to promote his latest film Moneyball. After the premiere, the dazzling duo headed to an intimate dinner on the rooftop of The Borroughes Building with the rest of the cast, including Chris Pratt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The long, rectangular table wasn't just surrounded by stars, it also featured delicious fare cooked by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio. Despite Pitt and Jolie's kids-less outing, the crown for the festival's socializing king was handily earned by the couple's pal George Clooney.

George Clooney bribes Ryan Gosling; dodges dating questions

Before his Ides of March premiere, he joked around with co-stars Ryan Gosling and Paul Giammati at the Grey Goose Soho House Pop-Up Lounge. As Clooney and Giamatti paused for a photo, Gosling hammed it up, making faces behind the two men to disrupt the otherwise routine shot. After he was joined by girlfriend Stacy Keibler at the premiere, Clooney took the festivities to the next level, leading the group to the DEQ Terrace and Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Clooney and Keibler arrived first, drawing the attention of the other patrons who were not shy about standing on the outdoor banquettes to snap shots of the movie star. The crowd's pulses raced even faster when Gosling arrived holding hands with his mom as he tried to navigate through the throng of gawkers. Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Gosling's Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn soon followed. Clooney and Keibler were at ease being the center of attention and stood near each other as they individually commanded their own small circle of pals. Comedian Sarah Silverman — dressed head to toe in all black plus a pair of sky-high heels — cracked jokes with her group as security made her wait briefly at the velvet rope to the VIP area. Meanwhile, at the quaint Harbord Room restaurant, mom-to-be (for the second time) Bryce Dallas Howard co-hosted a cocktail party for Kate Spade creative director and co-president Deborah Lloyd. Though she abstained from the glasses of champagne and Pimms Cup cocktails being passed around, there was plenty to indulge in, including some decadent orange zest doughnuts.

Saturday: Clooney continued his revelry after the premiere for his other film — and other potential Oscar contender — The Descendents. He started at the Vanity Fair bash at the Thompson Hotel's Scarpetta Restaurant where he mingled with the likes of Bono and briefly stopped at the Fox Searchlight party. Meanwhile, other screen hunk Clive Owen laughed with friends and co-star Yvonne Strahovski at a dark, corner table on the rooftop of The Mercer for the Killer Elite shindig as Viggo Mortensen relaxed at DEQ.

For the second night in a row, the Grey Goose Soho House Pop-Up Lounge was the place to be. Keira Knightley sipped on a Le Fizz Grey Goose cocktail while sticking close to her boyfriend James Righton during the celebration for her latest film, A Dangerous Method. On a different level of the building, Ryan Gosling toasted with the rest of his Drive cast. Though he courteously chatted with the line of ladies who approached him for a few stolen moments, his full attention was reserved for his pals, including Kirsten Dunst and rocker Dave Matthews.

Clooney once again shined party-wise, arriving with Keibler in tow and quickly falling into conversation with Bono once again. Despite the abundance of passed appetizers, Clooney ordered a special plate of pasta from the kitchen and an abundance of oysters. He wasn't the only one indulging: Emily Blunt and Anna Faris (who ditched her fancy duds for jeans and a t-shirt) danced together with cocktails in hand. Meanwhile, Jon Hamm and girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt let loose after a weekend of promoting her directorial debut — and their production company's first film — Friends with Kids. Others in the small, brick-walled space: Neil Young, Albert Brooks, Alexander Skarsgard, Evan Rachel Wood, Emile Hirsch, Kate Mara, Bryan Cranston, and Jimmy Kimmel.

Jon Hamm on why he could never host an awards show

Sunday: With many stars making their way out of town before the upcoming week's next roster of big names arrives, the last evening of the weekend was perceptibly more low key, but still filled dotted with A-listers. Before the premiere of Albert Nobbs, the film's star and writer Glenn Close enjoyed a cast dinner of steak and salmon at the Grey Goose Soho House. Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz (who looked stunning in a long gown, which she expertly navigated up the flights of stairs to the building's top floor) had a dinner for her film, Deep Blue Sea. Though husband Daniel Craig wasn't in attendance, she had plenty of company and mingled with her manager and film executives. Emily Blunt returned for the second night in a row, catching up with Salmon Fishing in Yemen co-star Ewen McGregor, while Michelle Monaghan, Hugh Dancy, and Olivia Wilde mingled elsewhere around the room.

Monday: The final night of the Grey Goose Soho House Pop Up didn't disappoint with the caliber of high-profile parties. The evening began with Channing Tatum and wife Jenna Dewan, coming out along with Justin Long to celebrate Ten Year, followed by Gerard Butler, Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain taking a break from promoting their film, Coriolanus.

But the highlight of the evening was the private dinner on the third floor for Madonna. Though her second directorial undertaking W.E. has been met with less-than-stellar reviews, Madonna looked stunning in a classic little black dress and was joined by the film's star Abbie Cornish, who wore a long gown and kept her hair in a tasteful chignon. Bodyguards surrounded Madonna's table as she chatted with CAA's Kevin Huvane. Cornish later ventured downstairs to mingle with the Coriolanus cast, chatting on a couch with Fiennes.

Celebs then headed upstairs for the finale event, the Weinstein party, which kicked off to crowds of folks at the door clamoring to get in and paparazzi lining the street. Jennifer Garner, a fresh arrival in town to promote her film, Butter, looked elegant and beautiful in a long gown and slicked-back high bun. Other attendees included Olivia Wilde, Juliette Lewis, Adam Brody, and of course, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Amy Winehouse Likely Died of Seizure, Dad Says

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:59:55 PDT

Amy Winehouse's father says his daughter died after suffering a seizure brought on by alcohol withdrawal.

In his first major TV interview since the death of Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse told CNN's Anderson Cooper that illicit drugs had nothing to do with her sudden passing at her London home in July.

Amy Winehouse Remembered: 'She Was Sweet, Peculiar and Most of All Vulnerable'

Mitch Winehouse said the only drug in her system was the prescription medication Librium, which is used to help people with the symptoms of alcohol detoxification.

"She'd been clean (of drugs) for around about three years....Her problem was alcohol, the last few years of her life...She was prescribed Librium, which is a normal drug, which is given to people who are detoxing and it kind of decreases the chances of having seizures. She was continuing to take one of those pills everyday," he told Cooper on the premiere episode of Anderson on Monday.

Cyndi Lauper Flubs National Anthem

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:00:34 PDT

Cyndi Lauper is facing criticism for messing up the words to the National Anthem at the U.S. Open on Saturday night.

Performing before the beginning of the final match between Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, Lauper botched the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during a remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks. [Watch the performance below.]

The "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" singer tripped over the same part of the National Anthem as Christina Aguilera did earlier this year at the Super Bowl. Instead of singing the correct words, "O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming," Lauper instead sang "O'er the ramparts, we watched as our flag was still streaming."

Is tt time for a new National Anthem? Vote!

George Clooney Bribes Ryan Gosling, Dodges Dating Question

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:00:03 PDT

At the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, the cast of the political drama The Ides of March congregated to face a roomful of press. Their coping mechanism for the marathon question and answer session? Humor!

George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, who fielded the lion’s share of questions, were the main jokesters. When asked what it was like having Clooney as a director, Gosling paused thoughtfully to consider his answer.

“It was really fun to work with George,” Gosling said. But when Clooney began throwing $20 bills his way, Gosling continued, “It was more than fun. It was life altering. Watching him work was like watching a unicorn being born everyday.”

Photos: Hollywood's Famous Friends

He then went on to praise Clooney’s directorial style. “He knows exactly what he wants...he would walk you through the scenes and even hum what he thought the music would be like. It was like talking through the movie in real time,” Gosling said.

However, his next comments caused Clooney to take back his good-humored bribe: “It was so focused you’d walk away and then notice he had been spraying an Evian bottle onto your crotch,” Gosling added, causing the room to burst into laughter. ”Then you had to do a scene with Paul Giamatti with wet pants.”

Clooney’s humor took an a tougher edge when a reporter asked a question which brought up his dating life (he reportedly is dating former Dancing With the Stars contestant Stacy Keibler). After acknowledging that he knew a question of the sort would eventually be asked, he put the attention back on the reporter.

“Everyone is a little disappointed in you right now,” Clooney said. “Go tell your editor you asked.”

Photos: Notorious Hollywood Bachelors

Nick Jonas Headed to Broadway

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:00:04 PDT

Nick Jonas is heading back to the stage — the Broadway stage.

The pop star is set to play J. Pierrepont Finch, the lead role in the musical revival How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He'll follow in the famous footsteps of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who is in the show until January 1, and Glee star Darren Criss, who takes over for three weeks on January 3. Jonas is set to take the stage starting January 24 and end his run on July 1, 2012.

Photos: Hollywood Stars on Broadway

"It's official. I'm coming back to Broadway," Jonas tweeted. "So excited & honored to play the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying next year!"

Jonas is no stranger to musical theater. He appeared in the Broadway cast of A Christmas Carol, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast and Annie Get Your Gun. (He played Marius in Les Misérables for the 25th anniversary concert in London.)

Take the ultimate Jonas Brothers Quiz!

"This is going to be an exciting journey," the 19-year-old said in a statement. "It's great to come back to Broadway. I always said my return to Broadway would have to feel right — the right role at the right time. This felt right."

Will you catch Nick's performance on the Great White Way? Tell us in the comments below.

Reese Witherspoon on Finding Love Again: 'I Got Very Lucky'

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:06 PDT

Reese Witherspoon has found her happily-ever-after with new husband Jim Toth, but the road to wedded bliss was a rocky one.

"I got lucky. I did. I got very lucky," she told Marie Clarie of Toth, whom she began dating in January 2010.

See exclusive photos of Reese Witherspoon

The actress filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe in 2006. She calls the break up "traumatic" and worried about the effect it would have on their two children, Ava, 12 this month, and Deacon, 7½.

"I was hard on myself when I got divorced," Witherspoon said. "And until I got remarried, I don't think I knew how stressed I was. I feel so much relief."

"I don't think I knew how stressed I was being a single parent. It was really, really stressful. It's not easy on anybody," she said.

Photos: Stars Who Found Love the Second Time Around

Regis Philbin Announces His Last 'Live' Show

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:00:27 PDT

For the past 28 years, Regis Philbin has been hamming it up with his morning talk show. But on November 18, he'll be signing off for good.

"Friday, November 18 is my last day," Philbin announced on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly Tuesday. "But don't worry, the show goes on."

See exclusive photos of Regis Philbin

Philbin announced his retirement from the show in January this year. He took time off from LIVE! last year to have a blood clot removed from his leg. He also had hip replacement surgery in December 2010 and triple heart bypass surgery in 2007.

The show will continue with Kelly Ripa, who joined him as co-host a decade ago. No new co-host has yet been chosen to team up with Ripa, but the show is already working on finding a replacement.

"Kelly will be trying out new co-hosts, just like we did 11 years ago when we found her," Philibin said. (Ripa, 40, replaced Kathie Lee Gifford following her departure in July 2000.)

Much of the chatter has centered around Survivor host Jeff Probst, Ripa's husband Mark Consuelos, and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Eddie Murphy to Host 2012 Oscars

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:00:07 PDT

by Roger Friedman, Showbiz411.com

Eddie Murphy is the official host of the 84th Academy Awards.

The Academy named him as host much to the delight of the ceremony's producer, Brett Ratner. Ratner and Murphy will have had a big movie opening in November, “Tower Heist.” Surely a hit, the film will be the wave they can ride right into the February proceedings.

Why announce this so early? It helps promote “Tower Heist” and it eclipses what the Golden Globes will do with Ricky Gervais. I’m excited because with tributes to Oprah Winfrey and James Earl Jones, the Oscars will finally feel like a ceremony for everyone. It’s about time.

Photos: 10 Comedians Who Took a Serious Turn

Here’s hoping, though, that Billy Crystal will be involved, too, more than last time. The Oscars are already shaping up like a great night and we don’t even know which movies will be nominated. (Well, we have an idea.)…

Murphy, 50, has appeared on the Oscars several times in the past 25 years. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2007 for "Dreamgirls." Most recently, he presented Jerry Lewis with he Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2009.

“I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others. I’m looking forward to working with Brett and Don on creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year," Murphy said in a statement.

The 84th Academy Awards will be telecast Feb. 26 on ABC.

Do you think Eddie Murphy will make a good host? Tell us in the comments below.

Roger Friedman writes for Showbiz411.com.

Chaz Bono 'Not Paying Much Attention' to 'DWTS' Controversy

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:59:03 PDT

Transgender activist Chaz Bono isn't fixated on the controversy surrounding his casting on Dancing With the Stars.

"I really haven't been paying much attention to it," Bono, 42, said on Good Morning America on Monday. "I think it's a much bigger deal to everybody else than it is to me."

Dancing With The Stars Contestants Revealed

Bono, who grew up as Chastity Bono, the daughter of Cher and the late Sonny Bono, underwent a gender reassignment surgery and legally changed his gender from female to male last year.

Take Our Dancing With The Stars Quiz

Taylor Swift Battles the Boys for Top CMA Award

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:59:00 PDT

Taylor Swift will be going up against the big boys of country at the 2011 Country Music Association Awards.

The country starlet is in the running for Entertainer of the Year, along with Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, and last year's winner, Brad Paisley.

See exclusive photos from our photo shoot with Taylor

The 21-year-old's Speak Now concert tour is one of the best-selling tours of the summer — and the top-selling tour of July.

Swift is also up for Female Vocalist of the Year against Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood.

Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban are up for Male Vocalist of the Year.

10 Surprising Artists Who Found Success on the Country Charts

New Artist contenders are The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Thompson Square and Chris Young.

Underwood and Paisley will host the award show for a fourth time. It airs live Nov. 9 from Nashville on ABC.

Check out the full list of nominees.

Marc Anthony Laughs Off Affair Rumors

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:59:03 PDT

In an exclusive interview with "Nightline," Marc Anthony opened up about his divorce with Jennifer Lopez. And although he couldn't pinpoint "what went wrong," he insisted that an affair was not to blame.

Stories were flying around the media saying the singer got a little too close to his "HawthoRNe" costar Jada Pinkett Smith, so when ABC News' John Quinones asked about it, Anthony made sure to set the record straight.

See photos of the Coolest Couples in Music

"When something like that happens, it's laughable. We were laughing, like 'Wow'," he said. "We've been friends for years. Jada, Jennifer, me, him, for years...."

"What bothers me is the effect it has on family, to Will and Jada's, and their children, and their relatives, and their loved ones."

Anthony and Lopez called it quits in July after seven years of marriage.

“People are trying to peg it on things because it was so shocking. It was like, it must have been something… It wasn’t something sensationalistic (sic).”

Jennifer Lopez Speaks Out After Divorce

Alyssa Milano Welcomes Baby Boy

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:59:05 PDT

Actress Alyssa Milano and husband David Bugliari welcomed a son named Milo Thomas Bugliari on Wednesday at 9:27 a.m. The baby boy weighed in at 7 lbs. and 19 inches long.

“Thank you for all the well wishes for my son Milo," the actress Tweeted. "My heart has tripled in size. I love him more than all the leaves on all the trees."

As for her future plans, don't expect the actress to rush back to work.

"I really want to enjoy my child," she told E! Online earlier this year. "Everyone keeps telling me how fast it goes by and to spend as much time with them as possible."

Photos: The Best Baby Bump Summer Ensembles

This is the first child for the couple, who wed in August 2009. In an interview with Parade.com, Milano admitted that she was more than ready to say farewell to her single days after meeting Bugliari.

Robert Downey Jr. and Wife Expecting First Child

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:59:05 PDT

Robert Downey Jr. and wife Susan are expecting their first child together early next year.

"Robert and Susan could not be more excited over this news. They can't wait to welcome this new baby into their wonderful family," the Iron Man star's rep confirmed to People.

Photos: Couples Who Met on Set

The 46 year-old actor and his second wife met on the set of "Gothika" in 2003, and married in New York in 2005.

Downey has a 17 year-old son, Indio Falconer Downey, from his previous marriage to actress Deborah Falconer, to whom he was married for 11 years. They divorced in 2004.

Justin Bieber Involved in Fender-Bender

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:59:32 PDT

A driver crashed into Justin Bieber and his Ferrari Tuesday afternoon, but all parties walked away unharmed, People reports.

The 17-year-old pop star was driving through Studio City, Calif., when a Honda Civic hit Bieber's Ferrari, causing minor damage to the vehicle.

VIDEO: Justin Bieber's Top Performances

"There was no crime and it was just a minor accident," patrol officer John Seffel tells People. "It was so minor, we didn't even file a report."

Earlier this week, Bieber had better luck: He snagged the Moon Man for Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.

VMA Fashion Favorites

Angelina Jolie Talks 'Secret Wedding' and Adoption Rumors

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:59:05 PDT

Angelina Jolie addresses a few rumors in the latest issue of Vanity Fair.

"I'm not pregnant. I'm not adopting at the moment," and there is no "secret wedding" planned with Brad Pitt, she tells the magazine.

See photos of Angelina Jolie through the years

The mother of six is, however, the writer and director of her latest project, the film "In the Land of Blood and Honey."

“I had the flu,” Jolie says of how she came to write the script. “I had to be quarantined from the children for two days. I was in the attic of a house in France. I was isolated, pacing. I don’t watch TV and I wasn’t reading anything. So I started writing. I went from the beginning to the end. I didn’t know any other way."

Pitt has been "so supportive" throughout the project, giving Jolie feedback on the script and her creative decisions.

Film femme fatale! See photos of Angelina Jolie in action