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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 07 > Entry
Elton’s big bash
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — More than 2,000 invited guests sang along to “Rocket Man” at the star-studded height, early Monday morning, of Elton John’s 14th annual Oscar party benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Singer Macy Gray swayed along in the audience as heiress Paris Hilton played tonsil hockey with her latest boy toy. But even with the likes of teen queen Lindsay Lohan, Donatella Versace, Patty Hearst and John Waters in the VIP lounge, the originator of the A-list Oscar party never let anyone forget the reason they were under the chic blue-and-chocolate-hued circular tent at the Pacific Design Center — to raise money, lots of money.
For Atlantans and staunch foundation supporters Drs. Jeffrey and Nancy Gallups, hair salon owner Richie Arpino, Midtown restaurateur Mitchell Anderson, and Elton John AIDS Foundation-Atlanta board member Barron Segar, the eight hour-plus party became a lesson in pacing one’s self.
The party began at 4 p.m. Pacific time, after guests navigated through police barricades and flashed ID to party organizers. From then, the designer-labeled crowd was painstakingly fawned over till the wee hours of Monday morning.
Attendees like “Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack, “Today” weatherman Al Roker, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Pamela Anderson, Tim Allen, and others were served a luscious four-course salmon, filet and risotto dinner as they viewed the Oscars on a dozen massive flat-screen televisions around the room.
John and his partner, David Furnish, visited every table and chatted with almost every single one of the exclusive 540 guests at the viewing party dinner.
Popping in at Table 32 where the Gallupses and the other Atlantans were seated, John told Buzz: “It’s always extremely touching to me to see so many Atlantans here. Each year, the number seems to grow. For me, it’s very gratifying to see so many familiar faces from the city I call home. Their support is very important to me.”
For Segar and the other foundation board members present, the record amount of money raised Sunday night was heartening.
“Now more than ever, fund-raising is an ongoing challenge,” said Segar. “With the spiking statistics we’re seeing with new HIV infections in the South, a lot of this money will be going toward new initiatives in Atlanta and its surrounding states. It’s because of Elton’s continuing commitment that we’re seeing tonight’s record amount of money being raised.”
Sharon Osbourne concurred.
“Elton is the single reason that I can get Ozzy to come to this,” she told Buzz. “He simply adores him.”
As always, the bash was a celebrity magnet. “The Office” actors John Krasinski and B.J. Novak milled about as former “Queer as Folk” co-stars Scott Lowell and Peter Paige held a mini reunion as “The Shield” actress CCH Pounder and “NYPD Blue” actor Henry Simmons looked for a few partying perps to prosecute.
Former “Lost” crash victim Ian Somerhalder was looking to get, well, lost with one of the leggy supermodels circling him all evening. Winter Olympics gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno was also a hit with women despite his “he looks taller on TV” 5-foot-8 height.
“Pink Flamingos” director Waters was having a ball introducing members of his extended film family to one another. 1950s actor Tab Hunter, who starred in Waters’ trash classic “Polyester,” was introduced to Hearst, who once played a juror whacked with a pay phone receiver by Kathleen Turner in the director’s black comedy “Serial Mom.”
“Believe it or not, Patty and Tab had never met until tonight,” Waters said with a devilish grin as his pencil-thin mustache twitched. “It’s almost like the GLAAD Awards in here tonight!”
As Sunday became Monday and stars like Jessica Simpson (sans estranged hubby Nick Lachey) and Charlize Theron continued to stroll in, the Atlantans booked on the 8:20 a.m. flight back to Georgia were focused on other matters as they awaited their limos.
Chief among them? How to pack their hefty 10-pound gift bags.
“These are really heavy,” Jeffrey Gallups allowed. “You always know you’ve been to one of Elton’s parties when you can bench-press the goody bag.”
John-John jam
It wasn’t just a night to show off your bling and rub shoulders with all the glitzy celebs. At least one pop star had to do a little work. John Legend and John — blinged out with gem-encrusted eyeglasses, diamond necklaces and a hypnotizing 5-carat emerald cut earring — performed a duet for the formally attired crowd.
Talking about Mrs. King
Singer Michael Bolton and “Desperate Housewives” gal pal Nicollette Sheridan stayed busy talking to friends at the bar.
Bolton fondly recalled singing at Coretta Scott King’s memorial in Georgia last month.
“I hated having to be there because it meant this great lady was gone,” Bolton said. “But it was [an] amazing day to be a part of. Nicollette was also very moved by the tribute. It was an honor to participate.”
A winning bid
“Basic Instinct” actress Sharon Stone successfully bid $170,000 for the piano that Elton John played on.
That certainly made the singer-songwriter, and part-time Atlanta resident, really happy.
“I want to thank everyone here tonight,” John told the crowd, grinning. “Because of you, we’ve raised more money tonight than at any other Oscar night party.”
The evening raised about $3 million for the nonprofit, up from $1.3 million in 2005.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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