The Bitch Is Back: Elton's Annual Blowout at Hollywood.com

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The Bitch Is Back: Elton's Annual Blowout

By Scott Huver, Hollywood.com Staff

Elton John

Sure, when it comes to Oscar eve, the stars can always go to the Governors Ball if they want a tasteful, classy, elegant night out after the elite affair. But where do they go if they just want to have a raucous, rowdy blow out with the promise of potentially peeking at a pop icon’s privates? The 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party, of course.

Sir Elton’s yearly bash – a combo viewing dinner and afterparty where admittance is gained by having either a) a fat wallet to pay for the premium tables, b) a famous face or c) a newly collected Oscar – always draws a high-wattage crowd, but is usually the province of pop music sensations and top tier TV stars. This year, though, in the absence of the cancelled Vanity Fair bash the fab fundraiser was THE place to be this year, and all for a good cause. Not only did it provide a prime showcase for superstar performances and plenty of celeb PDAs, it raised a record-breaking $5.1 billion to support HIV/AIDS prevention and services.

The setting in West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center was appropriately opulent: Champagne and fine wines flowed amid pink and tangerine hued chairs and tablecloths that matched the tabletop flowers. Elton and his hubby David Furnish held court amid a coterie of celebrated party guests that zipped in and out throughout the evening, including Oscar-winning Best Actress Marion Cotillard, Tom Wilkinson, Amy Adams, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford, Seal and Heidi Klum, Prince, Kate Beckinsale, Billy Joel, Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, Courtney Love, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Jeremy Piven, Roberto Cavalli, Simon Cowell, Herbie Hancock, Jason Reitman and mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Petra Nemcova

All tongues were wagging as the partygoers realized that newly single and normally reticent Sean Penn was an in an uncharacteristically festive mood – and who wouldn’t be, with supermodel Petra Nemcova on their arm? SAY WHAT? Yep, the 47-year-old Oscar winner and the 28-year smimwear stunner – who was clad in a electric yellow Cavalli creation made especially for her by the designer – spent most of the evening looking lovestruck. The once photo-phobic Penn didn’t even bat an eye as Petra constantly snapped cell-cam shots of them in full canoodle

Heck, the smitten ex-Spicoli even chatted up the press (that'd be us)! “Daniel Day Lewis is the greatest actor ever recorded on film,” he told us of his favorite Oscar highlight. “Jon Stewart cracks me up. I thought it was a cool show.” He wasn’t even bummed that his much-lauded directorial effort Into The Wild didn’t gather any gold for Hal Holbrook. “Nah, I’m here to celebrate the Oscars, not to be disappointed in them.”

Note to self for future reference: squiring a supermodel takes the sting out of an Oscar loss.

The couple sat with early exiters Larry King and wife Shawn, and prolific parents Chris O'Donnell and his wife Caroline, who also popped out early but then changed their minds, turned around and went back in. Nearby, director Len Wiseman was doing the PDA thing with his ravishing bride Kate Beckinsale, playfully bopping her bottom as Sir Elton sang “I’m Still Standing” onstage.

Sir Elton recruited his pal and tireless AIDS activist Sharon Stone to auction off Sharon’s 1971 Corvette Stingray, which had a whopping four miles on the odometer. Elton kept prodding the crowd to push the bidding higher, promising “that I’ll drop my trousers if you do.”

Sharon Stone

”I would, but you all have seen it already,” countered Sharon. And keeping the tone in the genital area, the ever-blunt Miss Stone urged the partygoers “not to be pussies” as she auctioned off a Ferrari. The baiting worked and the sportscar sold for $1 million.

Sharon, who may be the best auctioneer Christie’s never hired, told us “ I thought it was great that we got a million for the car, $900,000 for the Helmut Newton photo, I think we really exceeded expectations this time. It’s fabulous and exciting. I’m going to be doing this as long as I need too. I’m going to hear him sing, then hit a couple of parties then go to bed.”

She also had praise for the Oscars host, who has her and her tablemates – including Grammy winner Herbie Hancock and the legendary producer Jerry Weintraub (the Sinatra pallie who assembled our generation’s Ocean's Eleven) -rolling during the telecast. “Jon Stewart was sublime,” Sharon enthused. “I was happy with the winners and the show was really good. “

Former Oscar host and daytime chat queen Ellen DeGeneres and her main squeeze Portia De Rossi – who co-chair the fundraiser – were inseparable at Elton’s table, the hands constantly curled together as Portia occasionally rested a tired head on Ellen’s shoulder. It was their party and they could leave if they want to – and they did, off to explore other afterparty action when dinner was done, with Billy Joel hot on their heels. Elton intimates and co-chairs Victoria and David Beckham were surprise no-shows, as were flu-stricken Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne.

Christian Slater

Still, there was no shortage of star power throughout the night. Christian Slater –who dutifully toted the train of girlfriend (and Jimmy Choo creator) Tamara Mellon’s gown – gazed around the room and decreed “This looks like this is the party to be at. A lot of glamour is in here there is no doubt about it.”

And the glam factor suddenly shot into the stratosphere when a buzz went through the bash: “Make way for Marion, make way for Marion!” Fresh from her victory at the Academy Awards, actress Marion Cotillard was in the house, making a beeline to Elton, who’d been occupied with designer Donna Karan, and embracing him warmly. Never one to miss a good photo op, Sharon Stone was suddenly in the center of their photos together.

With so many parties to hit, Marion made it a brief drive-by lasting about 10 minutes, long enough to have her ring figuratively kissed by the in-house celebs like Jeremy Piven, who told her that her performance “killed me - it was amazing! You so deserve this.” In fact, it was fan night for Emmy-heavy Piven, who told us “I’m a huge Marion fan, and [a fan of] Javier Bardem and Daniel Day Lewis. Their acting was inspiring and incredible and a joy to watch. To see Javier connect with his mother like that. It’s almost like beautiful that you didn’t know what he said, because the look on his mother’s face said it all – it was poetic and perfect.”

TR Knight
Grey’s Anatomy star TR Knight had a hard time seeing performances pitted against each other, but thought the Academy chose well. “It’s so hard to judge, but I think Marion did a brilliant job. How do you pick Javier Bardem over Hal Holbrook? You can’t do that.” He was also totally unthreatened by the Euro-sweep of the acting categories. “I love that America does not only appreciate American actors, we can appreciate Europeans and it just makes us better.”

Singer Josh Groban’s been to Oscar’s Main Event, but admitted he was having a higher time in Sir Elton’s company. “I performed on the Oscars two years ago. Before that I watched it in my pajamas. This has been the most fun for me. Sitting at the same table with Elton, screaming at the TV screen. Inside the Oscars is so stiff, and the nervous energy is so palpable. It was great to be in here. The food is delicious and the music amazing.”

“I’m the kid who got into the business because of Elton John,” proclaimed Lionel Richie. “Elton went from a rocker to a highly respected philanthropist. When I first came to this party I was known as ‘the kid.’ Now it’s Mr. Richie – or Grandpa.”

And with that opening we had to ask how Lionel’s daughter Nicole Richie was faring as a new mom on Oscar night. “I wanted her to come tonight-but she wanted to stay home and watch it on television. She’s a mom – how about that? I just love Nicole. Something has happened that has changed her tremendously. She wants to be a great mom, and I love it because she keeps asking me from time to time ‘Daddy is there some kind of book?’ I tell her that there is no manual. She’s totally in love her daughter.”

Simon Cowell

Leave it to American Idol’s Simon Cowell to forget to turn off his critical switch. “The Oscars were just okay,” he sniffed. “I didn’t know who anyone was. I liked Jon Stewart. I wasn’t surprised about Marion winning. Yes, the Oscars are turning into the BAFTAs. It’s a good thing. The Brits are taking over.” Simon opened himself up for a little criticism as well, for his own singing skills and dance moves. When Sir Elton launched into “Crocodile Rock” on stage, Simon led an impromptu chorus line right by the stage with Sharon Stone, Faye Dunaway and David Furnish, belting out the song’s “La-La-La-La-Las.”

Elton kicked off his all-hit set with “The Bitch is Back” and tore through powerhouse versions of “Levon,” “Rocket Man,” “Philadelphia Freedom” and “Benny and the Jets.” The latter song even inspired Sean Penn to sing along and dance with Petra and Patricia Clarkson, and when Elton hit “Sad Songs” fellow musical geniuses Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones swayed to the music. Elton was then joined by R&B queen Mary J. Blige as he noted “it’s hard for me to put into words on how I feel about this woman. She’s a kind, sweet soul, she’s the greatest singer of our generation and I love her with every fiber in my body” They dueted to “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.”

As the hour grew later, even Indiana Jones was getting worn out from all the action. Harrison Ford tugged at Calista Flockhart’s dainty arm, urging her to make their exit. “Come on, honey, they’re waiting for us outside,” he cajoled, but Calista was still recalling her favorite Oscar moment, when “the girl from Once was allowed to come back and finish her speech.”

Even Sir Elton was out the door a tad early. His pal Prince had shown up with his ever-expanding entourage and had been expected to perform, but Elton had hit the stage late and Prince needed to make a royal exit to make it to his own private post-party after midnight at his pad in Coldwater Canyon. Now it was Elton’s turn to make the rounds to the Purple One’s bash, as well as one thrown by his gal pals Madonna and Demi Moore.

Elton John and David Furnish

“Elton is a class act!” exclaimed Tim Allen, who’s attended all 16 of the annual AIDS fundraisers. “This party was the best ever. We sat at a table with film lovers, so it’s like being at your house watching it and having Elton and Mary J. Blige sing for you. What could be so not cool about that?”

But it’s Hollywood on awards night, so you know SOMEONE was going to walk away feeling slighted. The party’s gift bag, which has been renowned for its luxe, lavish treasures, prompted disappointed groans from some partygoers who waited on the long line to claim theirs, only to be rewarded with body wash and a candle. “This really sucks,” pouted one guest. “It used to be so good.”

--Reporting by Leah Sydney

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