“I am so proud to have worked with Antonio on such an amazing film that sheds light on a topic that plagues so many parts of the world. I’m truly honored to work with a wonderful cast and to be associated with this film.” – America Ferrera

Who: America Ferrera (AKA Ugly Betty,) Roberto Urbina, Tony Plana (AKA Ugly Betty’s father,) Roberto Urbina, Carlos Valencia 

What: Hacia La Oscuridad/ Towards Darkness

When: Premiered on Saturday, April 28th

Where: Tribeca Film Festival

About: Hacia La Oscuridad (Towards Darkness) starring America Ferrera made is world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this Saturday. Directed by Antonio Negret, this film sheds light on the frequent and horrific kidnappings in …

The bilingual thriller set in Columbia, where kidnapping for ransom is an unfortunate reality that plagues the citizens. Jose Gutierrez (Roberto Urbina) is a young Colombian who has been studying in the United States. When he visits Columbia to see his family and friends, he is attacked in the street and abducted by Manuel (Carlos Valencia.)

Desperate for their son’s safety, they enlist the help of American investigators who specialize in negotiating with kidnappers. Jose remains hurt, gagged, and alone as his short life flashes before his eyes and his family races against time to save him.

xoxo,
Lauren

P.S. This film is even more poignant as it is inspired by a kidnapping that happened to one of the directors’ family member.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, America Ferrera, Tribeca Film Festival, Towards Darkness, Hacia La Oscuridad

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If you happen to be out and about in New York City… take a swing by the hotspots on Fifth Avenue… and bring your binoculars. A trusty GlamScene spy just called in a little tip for your reading pleasure.

Hilary Swank, clad in a white tank, is shopping on Fifth with some cute arm candy… Go stalk!

xoxo,
Lauren

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So I realize this is NOT the “Kevin Connolly GlamScene Blog,” but I do have ONE more gossipy tidbit on the adorable Entourage sidekick!

Last night, Kevin partied at NYC’s Aspen lounge to promote his film Gardener of Eden. Since it’s his directorial debut (and a small indie picture,) he was shocked to see how many crews, reporters, and paparazzi packed their way into the faux ski lodge hotspot.

And Kevin was right. There was a lot of people there. Too many people! In fact so many crews plugged in at once that Aspen couldn’t handle it… and a fuse blew!

Kevin just laughed and asked the staff if there was anything he could do to help. The rest of the cast was there as well, including Erika Christensen, Lukas Haas, and Jon Abrahams.

xoxo,
Lauren

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Kevin Connolly, Tribeca Film Festival, Gardener of Eden, Erika Christensen, Lukas Haas, Jon Abrahams

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What: TheGardener of Eden. About a loner who on the wrong track who finds meaning and purpose when he catches a serial rapist.

Who:
• Directed by Kevin Connolly (my favorite Entourage guy)
• Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio
• Starring: Lukas Haas, Erika Christensen

When: Premiered last night as part of the Tribeca Film Festival…which sadly I was unable to attend. (Mainly sad because Leo showed and I missed him.) Today was the press conference.  (Leo was a no-show… but I was there!) Stay tuned later for lots of inside deets, quotes, and interviews with Kevin Connolly and Lukas Haas…

Here are some observations to hold you over. Enjoy!

xoxo,
Lauren

Kevin Connolly was acting like a happy and eager little kid eating ice cream at the press conference for his film The Gardener of Eden. His legs and feet were bouncing up and down with jumpy excitement. (Unfortunately for him the leg bouncing was only drawing further attention to his need for longer pants and/or higher socks. FYI: A man in trousers with seriously exposed ankle skin/leg hair is a no-no in my book.)

Kevin took the brunt of his ADHD out on a the microphone stand. He kept fiddling and playing with it. He definitely chilled out a bit as time went on and as he mastered the questions that were shouted out his way.

When the conference was over he took the time to pose with fans for pictures, make small talk, and shake fans’ hands.

He then headed straight over to the concession stand, (the conference was held at a movie theater) where he ordered a small popcorn and soda. Hmmm… On second thought…. perhaps he was jittery from low-blood sugar!!

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Kevin Connolly, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lukas Haas, The Gardener of Eden, Tribeca Film Festival

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Last night was US Magazine’s Hot in Hollywood 2007 Party, celebrating the sassiest and sexiest style-makers in LA LA land.

Among the gorgeous guests were A-list attendees like Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson, Jamie Lynn Sigler, J.C. Chasez, David Arquette, Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra, and Ian Ziering (who must be so grateful to Dancing with the Stars for reviving his career and getting him invited to this super fun and oh-so exclusive event.)

xoxo,
Lauren

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson, Jamie Lynn Sigler, J.C. Chasez, David Arquette, Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra, Ian Ziering

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VOTE HERE!!!!

 xoxo,
Lauren

*Photo Credit: Splash News, Frank Micelotta Getty Images Entertainment*

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Prince William, Jessica Biel, Sienna Miller, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon

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SCROLL DOWN FOR LOTS OF PHOTOS!  

The Tribeca Film Festival officially kicked off last night with the SOS: Short Film Program Premieres. The red carpet was PACKED with photographers, reporters, cameramen, security, police, bodyguards, publicists, and – oh yeah - lots and lots of celebrities.

Being the last-second procrastinator that I am… I was running late. And by the time I got there, the line of press waiting to get checked in was literally running all the way down Chambers Street. It was such a mess that they actually denied media who had previously RSVP’d.

Luckily, I got into the venue. However, I did not get into the “reporters” station… So I had to stand at the very entrance and was allowed to snap photos of the stars… but “no asking them questions!” (Myself and alllll the others had that drilled into our heads… by the PR people watching us like hawks.) Serioulsy. I was standing next to MSNBC and VH1 reporters on the “less talky, more snappy” entrance to the carpet.

So, yes, I learned my lesson for the rest of the week. I will be EARLY. (Or punctual rather.) I promise! I will make it to the “reporters” section so I can ask YOUR questions to the celebrities…

But for now… Here are some fun pics from last night… and a few of my keen observations… Enjoy!

xoxo,
Lauren

P.S. I do have to say that standing there has its advantages…  You get see the PR people flapping their arms like birds in distress at the sight of the next arriving celebrity. Then you can observe them schmooze and chat up the VIPs in their sweet as pie kindergarten teacher voices… And watch the celebrity roll his or her eyes in diva-like distress. Hilarious.

P.P.S. My digicam/card reader sucks… and, sadly, a few of my photos got deleted when I transferred them into the computer… so stay tuned! I’ve requested a few from photo sites. (More to come!)

Christie Brinkley lookin’ fab as always in her simple and signature trench…

Remember this guy, Jesse Bradford, from Bring It On? He’s actually really short in person. He didn’t know where to go when he first arrived… so he waltzed up to one of the PR girls who recognized him and escorted him down the red carpet. (Shameful. Isn’t it the publicist’s job to recognize the stars?!?!)

The first celebrity to arrive was the one and only, Mr. Christopher Walken

Chris Cooper

Something about Julia Stiles struck me as not so super friendly. While the other celebrities greeted by a pack of Tribeca PR people all seemed very gracious, she seemed a little more down-to-business with her strong handshake and serious face. (Also, do you think celebrities know how to hold their own umbrellas?!?)

Soooooo hot. Even if he has that too cool for school kinda attitude. Love love love the Entourage hunk, Adrian Grenier. He paused to make a few urgent phone calls before doing his strut down the red carpet.

Freddy Rodriguez actually seemed to notice that there was a cluster of media (including myself) standing in the entrance way. When his PR escort ushered him away, he kind of looked back and gestured at us as if to say “What about these people?!? Shouldn’t I stop for them?” Apparently not. He was escorted away.

Chazz Palminteri

Okay. I don’t know WHO this is… and I did my research and can’t figure it out. BUT HOW FAB is her umbrella?!?!

Petra Nemcova needed to get briefed by her possee of PR peeps. She needed them to tell her what this premiere was for… what the short films is all about… etc. etc.! I heard her asking lots of questions so she’d be fully prepared for the red carpet questioning…

Kerry Washington had cluster of umbrellas flung her way when her car arrived at the entrance of the festival. Once inside she had her publicist do a couple of “once overs” on her face to make sure her makeup wasn’t smudged from the rain; and ensure that her dress wasn’t splattered. Her publicist even wiped at Kerry’s face with the sleeve of her jacket. That’s serious committment to the job.

*Kerry Washington Photo Courtesy of Splash News*

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Tribeca Film Festival, Christie Brinkley, Jesse Bradford, Christopher Walken, Chris Cooper, Julia Stiles, Adrian Grenier, Freddy Rodriguez, Chazz Palminteri, Petra Nemcova, Kerry Washington

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I heart this pic!

Elizabeth Berekely, Vanessa Minnillo, Elizabeth Hurley, and Rosario Dawson
These stars sparkle at the Breast Cancer Foundation gala on Tuesday night at NYC’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The event was hosted by Hurley, spokeswoman for the organization.

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Dinero, founder of the Tribeca Film Festival at the Vanity Fair 2007 Tribeca Gala

The Tribeca Film Festival officially kicks off tonight with the first of many independent film premieres… Expected celebrities throughout the week include: Jon Bon Jovi, Julia Stiles, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ginnifer Goodwin, Elizabeth Banks, Minnie Driver, Kerry Washington, Josh Lucas, America Ferrera, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rosario Dawson, Ivanka Trump, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Tiki Barber, and many many many more.

So, here’s my question to you… WHAT do YOU want ME to ask the aforementioned celebrities, if and when I encounter them on the red carpet????

I’ll be asking YOUR questions to these celebrities throughout the film festival. This is your chance. Now or never. What are you dying to know?!?! Post a comment… and let me know!

xoxo,
Lauren

P.S. Interesting that Mr. Bowie showed… Rumor has it that he and Robert DiNero are in the middle of quite the feud over Bowie’s copycat festival, the High Line Festival. Read about it here.

*Photo Credit: Splash News*

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Tribeca Film Festival,  Jon Bon Jovi, Julia Stiles, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ginnifer Goodwin, Elizabeth Banks, Minnie Driver, Kerry Washington, Josh Lucas, America Ferrera, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rosario Dawson, Ivanka Trump, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Tiki Barber

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Last night’s swanky soiree was all about friends, family, and fabulous fashions…

The Fifth Annual We Are Family Foundation Gala was packed with big-name hotshots like Tommy Hilfiger, who co-hosted the fete honoring extraordinary individuals and companies who promote a message of hope, respect, and diversity throughout the world around us.
 
The foundation partnered with Tiffany & Co. to present “Keys for a Cause.” Tiffany donated beautiful silver keys for the event, and the Family Foundation sold them for $100 each… raising $45,000 last night alone!

But here’s the real gem!… A few of these “keys” were able to unlock glass cases designed like the trademark blue Tiffany’s boxes. These lucky keys indicated a winner… (Beautiful prizes included diamond necklaces, cufflinks, etc.)

Other VIP attendees included actor/comedian Orlando Jones; Sarah Jones, from Broadway’s Bridge & Tunnel; Tony Bennett; Katie Couric; Paul Simon; Dionne Warwick; Clive Davis; and Montell Williams.

Check out a couple party pics of Tommy Hilfiger and his girlfriend Dee Ocleppo…

The We Are Family Foundation was formed in 2002 to promote diversity, understanding, respect and the vision of a global family. For more information, visit www.wearefamilyfoundation.org.

xoxo,
Lauren

*Photos Courtesy of 5WPR*

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Celebrities, Tommy Hilfiger, We Are the Family Foundation, Tiffany & Co., Orlando Jones, Sarah Jones, Tony Bennett, Katie Couric, Paul Simon, Dionne Warwick, Clive Davis, Montell Williams, Dee Ocleppo

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