Golden Globes Parties 2018: Inside the A-List Events

Drake Turns DJ at Netflix's A-List Party With Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston

Party: Netflix

Players: Netflix bosses Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber were weaving their way through the packed party saying hello to one A-lister after another. In the rouge-covered room: Angelina Jolie, Pax Jolie-Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Pharrell Williams, Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang, Shawn Levy, Issa Rae, Alison Brie, Charles King, Jason Bateman, Ewan McGregor, Billy Eichner, Ricky Martin, Edgar Ramirez, Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Hong Chau, and castmembers from The Crown, Stranger Things, Riverdale and Fuller House.

Place: Waldorf Astoria

Spread: Spring pea guacamole bowls, crispy fish tacos, chipotle chicken tacos, spicy ground beef empanadas, mushroom empanadas and Moet & Chandon. 

Inside Dish: "It's all a new facade," said one of the party staffers explaining how the streaming giant took over the Waldorf floor covering everything in rouge — floors, walls, tables, sofas, everything. "This whole floor used to be beige." They spared no expense, adding some unique party touches like a wall with squares cut out from which dancing hands with white gloves offered glasses of Moet & Chandon. Also neat: Free Netflix-branded flip flops for female guests who were ready to get out of their stilettos and get down on the dance floor. 

Good thing event gurus redesigned the space because there was nothing beige about this party, Netflix's first Golden Globes party in a post-Harvey Weinstein era. (Netflix and Weinstein Co. used to partner up on this night every year.) But the streamer doesn't need Weinstein for star power, and apparently they didn't really need a DJ either. Drake was so intent on jumping on the turntables that he waited for a staffer to connect to a better WiFi source so that he could take over from the hired DJ — Nona Entertainment client Daisy O'Dell — who had been handling the music.

At one point, the dance floor was so lit that even Sarandos jumped behind the DJ booth to take some pics himself of all the action. What he saw: Pharrell dancing alongside his wife, Helen, on a packed floor that also included Mary J. Blige (who later was chatting with Pharrell in the corner), Charles King, Joe Keery and dozens and dozens of others. Sarandos also made sure to stop by and tell Ricky Martin how excited he is to watch him in FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

Not far from the dance floor, Lena Waithe was surrounded by friends and fans. THR asked her for what it felt like to be in the room when Oprah Winfrey stole the show with her impassioned Cecil B. DeMille acceptance speech. "She's such a hero," Waithe explained. "Of all nights to give her that award, tonight was the night. There's nobody else that should've gotten that award at this very moment. She educated that room on who we are and she did so with such grace and integrity. She's my hero of all heroes."

And Waithe was aware of the immediate Oprah 2020 reactions, with calls for her to run for president. While it would be great, Waithe said, "Her mission is bigger than politics." She added: "It's just a fantasy, and I don't blame her [for saying no]. What we want is someone who has her skill, integrity, wisdom and class to lead us. Lord knows we need it."

Lori Loughlin needed the courage to go say hello to Stranger Things star David Harbour. "What's cool is that I'm here with my daughter, Olivia. With 13 Reasons Why and Stranger Things, there are so many actors here that she likes and is fangirling over," explained the actress, adding that Harbour is who she really wanted to meet. "Maybe I will by the end of the night."

No word on whether she mustered up the courage. As for Sarandos, THR saw him heading for the exit at 11:15 p.m. What he missed was Drake finally making his move to the DJ booth, where he played a long set and the crowd, which then include Zoe Kravitz, went buck wild. — Chris Gardner
 

For @netflix party, they redid entire @WaldorfAstoria floor by covering everything in rouge, costumed elevator dudes, branded flip-flops (for women only) and I hear Angelina Jolie stayed 1 hour. Oh, and @Drake DJ’d #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/Omtw3adDJy

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) January 8, 2018

Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth Tear Up Dance Floor at Amazon Studios Bash

Party: Amazon Studios

Players: Multiple Golden Globe-toting winners including the crew from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel — star Rachel Brosnahan and creators Dan Palladino and Amy Sherman-Palladino — who were mingling with Jeff Bezos, Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi, Jill Soloway, Andrea Sperling, Tony Shalhoub, Timothee Chalamet, Luca Guadagnino, Kathryn Hahn, Halle Berry, Alan Yang, Scott Eastwood, Craig Berman, Aja Naomi King, Alia Shawkat, Emily Ratajkowski, Hong Chau and Daniel Dae Kim. Fox's Gary Newman also showed up with his wife Jeanne Newman and was overheard telling a guest that Jeanne reps Amy Sherman-Palladino. Amazon also hosted two top DJ names in Mark and Samantha Ronson. 

Place: Stardust Ballroom in the Beverly Hilton

Spread: A great spread actually spread out over multiple stations in every corner of the classy party, sponsored by Audi. On the menu: Sushi station with California, spicy tuna and eel rolls, steamed dumplings, gyoza; white pizza, ham and pineapple pizza, meat lovers pizza, orecchiete, rigatoni, sliders, red velvet mini cakes, dark and white chocolate bars on a stick, salted caramel tarts and bombolini. 

Inside Dish: "This is so much fun," detailed Amy Landecker of Transparent fame. "First of all, the Ronsons are DJing. It doesn't get much cooler than that. I'm so thrilled that Amazon won best comedy and lead actress tonight, and that the company continues to make groundbreaking, funny and moving content." Moving on the dance floor were Damon, Hemsworth and Waititi who kept taking turns shuffling on the dance floor. Not moving: At one point, one of four elevators in that section of the Hilton cut out, so hotel maintenance had to stop a second elevator in an effort to fix the problem. The delay caused the line to get into the party to swell as revelers waited for their turn to get into the coveted party. Lucky for them, the issue was fixed in under five minutes. 

At one point, Brosnahan sat comfortably on couches under the tented rooftop party near the dance floor surrounded by cast mates and friends with her Golden Globe sitting on the table in front of her, for admirers to see. Nearby, Mark Ronson took a break from DJing and gave the turntables to sister, Samantha, while he grabbed a bite to eat. 

When not dancing, guests ran over to get inside the interactive video booth that seemed to always have a line of pumped up party goers. 

Moved on to @AmazonStudios party with coolest DJ of night, @MarkRonson who will be followed by sister @samantharonson. Spotted inside: @jillsoloway Luca Guadagnino @TaikaWaititi Kathryn Hahn #goldenglobes pic.twitter.com/YaGBNbs51s

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) January 8, 2018

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You guys, @thorofficial is here. Chris Hemsworth, who has been dancing as has his director @TaikaWaititi #GoldenGlobes @MarkRonson still spinning pic.twitter.com/3OjBYfvmon

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) January 8, 2018

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'Game of Thrones' Cast Swarmed by A-List Fans; 'Big Little Lies' Cast Celebrated at HBO Party

Party:HBO

Players: The casts of Big Little Lies and Game of Thrones along with The Deuce’s Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Young Pope’s Jude Law, Girls’ Lena Dunham, Veep’s Tony Hale and Clea DuVall, Insecure’s Issa Rae, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Cheryl Hines, HBO execs and a smattering of A-listers like Viola Davis, Frances McDormand, Aziz Ansari, Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone, Geena Davis, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Williams and more.

Location: Circa 55 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Served: Slow cooked short rib au jus, chicken breast tagliata, roasted wedge potatoes with herbs de Provence, gnocchi sardi al pomodoro, grilled Scottish salmon, veggies, corn Greek salad, purple kale salad. The ever-popular dessert table was filled with apricot roulade, rice crispy pops, mocha eclair, chocolate dome, tropical mango, lemon mousseline, and an assortment of chocolates.

Inside Dish: The purple and gold-hued fete — with its equally decadent décor and dessert selection — attracted the crème de la crème of Hollywood before the doors even officially opened to the afterparty.

At 7:40 p.m., with the top awards still unannounced, Liev Schreiber arrived — looking dapper in a well-fitted tux, despite his luggage getting lost the night before — and dug into the dessert table for a rice crispy pop, after which he promptly left the venue (perhaps to return to the ceremony).

Half an hour later, the doors to the Beverly Hilton ballroom opened, and guests flooded the poolside party. Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie was the first to float down the stairs in her black gown, but she was soon joined by the rest of her cast: Kit Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Emilia Clarke, along with creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.  

For Clarke, it had been an unforgettable evening from the start. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be at a few of these things now, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” she said.

“It was different because when you go to these award shows, you’re literally getting judged. That’s all that happens on the red carpet and when you get in the room. And suddenly you’re there and you’re like, ‘I’m not being judged, at all.’ We are looking out instead of looking in and we’re celebrating and we’re embracing and we’re all together in this — men, women, all of us. It was just beautiful.”

Fellow Brit Jude Law went up to Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya in the dessert section and told him, “You’re going to be at the Oscars.”

On his way inside the bash, Coster-Waldau ran smack into Law with a statuesque blonde date. The two reconnected after the GoT actor reminded Law, “We met many, many years ago.”

If the Game of Thrones cast were bothered by their defeat in the best drama category, you certainly couldn’t tell. At their table, Christie was deep in conversation with Benioff’s wife, Amanda Peet, while her husband chatted with Coster-Waldau and Harington and Clarke posed for photos, but not before Clarke adjusted her dress to keep her own globes in place.

As Harington was about to head to the bar, The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer yelled out to him, “My boy’s a big fan,” pointing at a grinning and waving Andy Samberg. Harington returned to say hi to them before going on the hunt for his champagne.

At 9 p.m. the big winners of the night, the cast and producers of Big Little Lies, arrived. Nicole Kidman nearly took a tumble as she walked down the steps to the party. Safely at the bottom, she headed straight for Helen Mirren and the two exchanged a warm hug.  

Kidman soon joined Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz, Shailene Woodley and Jean-Marc Vallée on the gold and purple carpet, where they posed for pics before dividing and conquering the afterparty scene. Kidman was ushered to Al Roker, for whom she let out an audible “woo-hoo” and hoisted her award up in the air. 

Inside the bash, Kidman’s husband, Keith Urban, was eating while his wife posed for pics, surrounded by HBO prez Len Amato and Big Little Lies producers Per Saari and Nathan Ross.  

Woodley took the opportunity to grab dinner, digging into the purple kale salad.

Carrying his award in one hand and food in the other, Alexander Skarsgard greeted THR in the only Finnish he knows (“Mitä kuuluu?” ["How are you?"]) The Swedish actor beamed as he, in his native tongue, said he’s feeling overwhelmed, before sitting down at the first table in the room to eat with 30 Rock alum Jack McBrayer, to whom he was joined at the hip the entire evening and who pretended to take a bite out of Alexander Skarsgard’s Golden Globe.

Skarsgard wasn’t the only one hungry. Maggie Gyllenhaal had a heaping plate of food, which she noshed on while deep in conversation with three friends. Viola Davis shared a plate of dinner with her husband Julius Tennon, and Issa Rae sat nearby at her own table with an entourage eating dinner as well.

And you couldn’t tear Samberg away from the cast of GoT — hours later, he and Schaffer were still talking to Clarke.

Jane Campion and Jill Soloway walked hand in hand through the party, going up to Vallee for a bit before continuing their journey to the bar. Vallee was heard describing the atmosphere inside the ballroom during commercial breaks to friends.

Ava DuVernay arrived boasting a huge smile and stopped for photos while Gayle King waited not too far behind.

Frances McDormand could barely make it down the stairs due to the many congratulatory hugs and praise she received on her way down to the packed party, with one reveler shouting out: "You're a rock star!"

Besties Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps arrived together with Philipps’ husband Marc Silverstein and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, and headed straight for the dessert table before running into a friend and taking a photo with her. 

Moments later, Philipps helped Williams out of her platform heels, taking them off one at a time while Williams moaned and made faces of agony as she placed her bare feet back on the floor.

They were joined by Ashley Judd and Salma Hayek, and after taking photos with Garcelle Beauvais, Judd, Hayek and Williams engaged in a long, deep and seemingly intense conversation.

The party wasn’t even close to being over by 11 p.m. when Mariah Carey arrived with boyfriend Brian Tanaka, heading straight for the dance floor.  At midnight, the dance floor also became the destination for Paris Hilton with fiancé Chris Zylka, just in time for a Michael Jackson medley — right after showing off her 20-carat engagement ring to mother Kathy. What better way to end an evening of celebration than on “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”? — Carita Rizzo

Time's Up Takes Over at Warner Bros. and InStyle Golden Globes After Party

Party: 19^th Annual Warner Bros. & InStyle Golden Globes After Party

Players: A plethora of newly minted Golden Globe winners including Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, James Franco, Allison Janney, Laura Dern, Elisabeth Moss and Rachel Brosnahan; everyone from A-list action stars Dwayne Johnson and Chris Hemsworth to pop diva Mariah Carey to truth tellers Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd; and most notably a banquette filled with Reese Witherspoon’s triumphant Time’s Up squad — including Kerry Washington, Michelle Williams, Lena Waithe, Susan Sarandon, Emma Watson, Zoe Kravitz, America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain and Natalie Portman – and the activists and advocates they escorted to the ceremony as part this year’s historic, seismic shift in Hollywood’s gender politics.

Place: The Beverly Hilton Hotel’s Oasis Courtyard

Served: Buffet-style gnocchi, penne, ravioli and other pastas and vegetables; a tempting bar offering gourmet ice creams and donuts; passing trays of tasty sliders and potato wedges.

Inside Dish: Even among the tastemakers of InStyle Magazine, black has never been more fashionable, thanks in large part to the convergence of the Witherspoon-led movement of top actresses who united their red carpet brethren in a show of sartorial solidarity against sexual harassment by wearing predominantly black to the Globes.

And along with the evening multiple wins for her series Big Little Lies, Witherspoon had an even sweeter victory to celebrate among her black-clad colleagues, welcomed along with her daughter Ava and Dern into a banquette that had been warmed by Portman, Sarandon, Watson, Ferrera and activists Rosa Clemente and Marai Larasi, while Chastain and a pregnant Longoria chatted with Waithe along the top of a neighboring booth.

Williams and her bestie Busy Phillips joined the increasingly raucous collection, Woodley orbited nearby and the moment reached peak Woman Power when the women began singing along together — backed by beats orchestrated by a female DJ, of course, with celebrity DJ Michelle Pesce — first to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and then to Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” It was a hashtag moment for the movement: #whywewearblack.

The mood could only be lifted higher by two of the key figures in exposing the malignant ways of Harvey Weinstein, Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd, who collected hugs and kisses from and friends before joining Carey and her steady Bryan Tanaka in a nearby booth for a cozy convo, while outside on the smoking patio Rockwell clutched his Globe in one hand and several whiskey and tequila drinks for his party posse in the other – he and girlfriend Leslie Bibb also squeezed in next to Carey for a spell.

The star-wattage was non-stop and alluringly eclectic: Ava DuVernay and Gayle King (who told anyone who asked that Oprah was already headed home) occupied the booth before Carey was swept in, and the moment the singer left it was filled by astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Only inches away Janney held court in high spirits, hoisting her Globe above her head triumphantly as “I Will Survive” played in the background. The I, Tonya star accepted several celebratory squeezes from the film’s real-life central character Tonya Harding. Janney also got reflective: “I came here expecting to lose and being fine with that,” she said, noting she was especially thrilled to have won for a film after collecting trophies for her TV work. “I was surprised at how much it meant to me when I won.”

Amid party décor themed to a reimagined Louis XIV style – modern furnishings with a French Baroque twist – Dwayne Johnson dutifully introduced his statuesque young daughter Simone Garcia Johnson, the evening’s trophy-handling Golden Globe Ambassador, to an executive-looking group.

While James Franco warmly accepted well-wishes from friends and admirers, his brother Dave took it up a notch collecting a series of big bro-hugs from agent-y types, while the original Disaster Artist Tommy Wiseau wandered about nearby, a figure that both compelled people to want to approach him for a selfie but appearing just eccentric enough to keep them at bay.

Christina Hendricks kicked up her heels on the dance floor with costume designer Janie Bryant, while Debra Messing, Heidi Klum, Kyle MacLachlan and his wife Desiree Gruber giggled as they posed for a group photo and not-so-discreetly made bunny ear fingers behind the head of an unsuspecting friend.

Even the entryway to the party was relentlessly star-studded: Hemsworth found a corner just off the red carpet to take a phone call just as Bellamy Young skipped out to get some rest before an early a.m. Scandal call, while it was nearly a Golden Globe pile-up when trophy-toting Janney, Ronan and Brosnahan all walked in at exactly the same moment.

The only thing more prevalent than famous faces, it seemed, was the color black, which now carried even significance for the stylish attendees. “It's not just the color of mourning,” said Hayek. “It is the color of unity. From today on.” — Scott Huver

Frances McDormand Causes Traffic-Jam of Well-Wishers at Fox Party

Party: Fox

Place: Beverly Hilton Parking Structure

Players: Elisabeth Moss and the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale; Coco director Lee Unkrich, co-director Adrian Molina, producer Darla Anderson; Boss Baby director Tom McGrath and producer Ramsey Naito

Served: Stations set up throughout the rooftop gathering included fruit and cheese, sushi, desserts, a pasta bar, sushi bar pizza bar and a coffee bar.

Inside Dish: Sterling K. Brown was swarmed by well-wishers, many of whom note how happy they were that he didn’t get cut off as he did at the Emmys. “Why I thanked my wife first this time,” he laughed. His This is Us boss Dan Fogelman was just relieved that the nerve-wracking awards show is over. He said his phone was blowing up during Brown’s speech, during which Fogelman got a lengthy shout out that required a camera tight on his face. Ryan Murphy, Hugh Jackman and Guillermo del Toro were among the heavy hitters who made the rounds as DJ Alex Merrell handled the tunes. 

A Golden Globe-toting Frances McDormand caused a jam near the elevators that slowly ferry guests to the Fox party. Upstairs, her Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri co-star (and fellow winner) Sam Rockwell headed toward the exit.

Not far was Three Billboards scribe and director Martin McDonagh, who called out that he’s going to the private CAA bash before posing for a picture with his trophy in the elevator.

Waiting outside the Fox tent, not far from the very popular phone charging stations, was Handmaid’s Tale star Samira Wiley, who was on the phone with her wife, Orange Is the New Black writer Lauren Morelli, trying to find her before she headed into the party. Once they connected, they headed inside the bash, which was still well attended even though many of the night’s biggest stars were no longer present. — Natalie Jarvey

Gary Oldman, Jason Blum Hold Court; Daniel Kaluuya and Jordan Peele Catch Up at the Focus Features Festivities

Party: Focus Features Golden Globes After Party

Sam Rockwell Cheers for Laura Dern at HFPA's Official Viewing Party

Party: HFPA Official Viewing Party

Players: HFPA members and guests, press, actors

Place: Wilshire Garden

Spread: Crispy artichoke goat cheese balls,tomato mozzarella sticks, fried shrimp and a salad buffet, carving station, cheese spread and oyster bar.

Inside dish: Under a clear tent with sparkling gold decor, the Golden Globes first ever official viewing party took place, welcoming a mix of sponsor affiliates, journalists and other HFPA guests.

The tables were covered with Lindt chocolates and Fiji water, and Frose drinks were handed out along with the mini-Moet champagne bottles that waiters tray passed throughout the party.

An outdoor section allowed for smokers to have their own little corner of the place, but unfortunately, the temporary tent meant that port-o-potties were the only restroom option.

In another corner was an engraving station for winners to come back to have their trophies etched. But it took more than an hour for the first winner to come back with his trophy: Sam Rockwell, who cheered when Laura Dern won for Big Little Lies. “She’s the best!” he said.

The party was never crowded and most of the guests weren’t known names; many seemed to have come to the event with the sponsors (one especially enthusiastic guest would “whoop” for nearly every winner), Moet, Fiji and Lindt Chocolate.

Still, there were a few actors in the room, including Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Michael Nouri. Other winners who dropped by the engraving area throughout the evening, including Alexandre Desplat, Elisabeth Moss and Sterling K. Brown, and the roped off area became crowded with attendees hoping to snap a picture of the action.

As the show neared its end, the first big name wandered into the main room: Matt Damon, who went to the bar with some friends and watched Francis McDormand’s acceptance speech on the TV. He grabbed a drink from the bar, and then quickly exited the room to head onto livelier options in the hotel's other rooms. — Rebecca Ford  

Sterling K. Brown Reigns Supreme at NBC Party

Party: NBC

Players: NBC execs Bonnie Hammer, Bob Greenblatt and Jennifer Salke, and the cast of This Is Us, plus Globes host Seth Meyers, Justin Timberlake, Aziz Ansari, Susan Kelechi Watson, Abigail Spencer and others.

Location: Jean-Georges Restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Served: Tray-passed hors d'oeuvres including brie burger sliders with truffle mayo; Carving station with beef tenderloin and roasted salmon, served alongside roasted, crushed fingerling potatoes with fried basil, pasta station (penne with veal ragu and tagliolini with Brussels sprouts and pesto) and a pizza station serving Jean-Georges' popular lobster pizza, among other items.

Inside Dish: NBC execs were happy with the show and Sterling K. Brown's win. (And everyone seemed happy with beats spun by DJ Tendaji Lathan.) After greeting revelers, NBCUniversal chairman Hammer ducked out early in cool, stylish black sneakers.

Brown, a first-time winner, took center stage at the network's festivities and dined with This Is Us co-star Justin Hartley. Though the lobby-level party was too well-lit inside the restaurant for actual partying, it turned to be a good spot for post-show dinner with various food stations by the restaurant's namesake chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Bruce Miller Praises Margaret Atwood; Sebastian Stan Reveals Why The Parties This Year are "More Chill"

Party: ICM Partners' Evening Before the Golden Globes Party

Place: Poppy

Players: ICM managing director Chris Silbermann, ICM's Toni Howard, Eddy Yablans, Lori Bartlett, The Handmaid's Tale creator Bruce Miller, I, Tonya's Sebastian Stan, Stranger Things' David Harbour, AMC's Charlie Collier, Universal Television president Pearlena Igbokwe, Sony's Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, and star clients Amy Landecker, Jeff Goldblum, Corey Hawkins, Ioan Gruffudd, Guy Burnet, Jason Ritter, James Wolk, Russell Hornsby, Edi Gathegi, Catherine O'Hara, Glen Powell and Fortune Feimster. 

William H. Macy on His Love to Stay on Set; Kyle MacLachlan Talks Reuniting with David Lynch

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Spend Date Night at Art of Elysium's Heaven Gala

Spread: Hors d'oeuvres were served on monochromatic James Turrell-inspired custom light trays with gel inserts — the red plates served spiced chickpea panisse, mini shrimp tacos on green, pork carnitas on aqua, and wine and cheese on magenta. The three-course dinner started off with chestnut puree soup and a family-style spread that included ducketta roulade, braised beef short ribs, Scarborough Farms baby jewel lettuces, black lentils and cauliflower puree, Chinese broccoli — all topped off with a chocolate hazelnut torte dessert. 

Inside Dish: “It’s date night! I’ll have to drink for both of us though,” chuckled John Legend after squiring his pregnant wife Chrissy Teigen down the red carpet at Art of Elysium’s 11th Annual “Heaven” gala at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on Saturday night, where the R&B sensation was both honored as the 2018 Visionary and helped curate the evening’s diverse array entertainment.

Legend admitted that it may have been the cocktails at the prior year’s gala honoring Stevie Wonder that led him to be the evening’s centerpiece. “I was here last year and they said ‘John, could you do this next year?’ I think I had a few drinks and so I said ‘Suuure!” That’s it.” At least Wonder returned the favor by joining Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds at the table adjoining Legend and Teigen’s for evening.

“We wanted to have some cool people perform and have people enjoy the night with great music, comedy and hopefully be inspired and laugh a bit tonight,” Legend told THR. The Heaven-themed event was themed specifically to Legend’s own vision of a bucolic paradise, which he defined as “Love, light and laughter.”

The “light” came from many sources throughout the party, most notably the illuminated dining tables that filled the hangar and could change color with the click of a remote – a few of which were auctioned off to benefit the cause.

The “laughter” was provided by a eclectic collection of comedy performances, including Scandal Joe Morton performing in character as the late activist/socially minded comic Dick Gregory, Chappelle’s Show co-creator Neal Brennan delivering a riotous stand-up take on the current state of the White House, and Nick Kroll deftly handling emcee duties and attempting to give an extra boost of comedy to the typically leaden live auction segment with Hayes MacArthur.

And the “love” came from the palpable dedication of evening’s guests to Art of Elysium’s two-decade-old cause, encouraging a versatile array of artists to dedicate their time and talents to programs serving hospitalized youths – now expanded to include the homeless, the elderly and those with special needs.

“I think art has such an incredible ability to heal and connect people,” said longtime supporter Rumer Willis. “This is one of my favorite events because I think art is like a universal language that we can all communicate in. It’s so important to be able to give back. If any and all of us can help in any way to give back and share some of our art, then I think that’s something that should always be supported.”

“It is an organization like no other,” said host committee member Alicia Witt. “Jen Howell, who founded it, is one of my best friends in the world. To see what she’s created never stops astonishing me year after year. What’s incredible is what it gives back to the artists. I’ve heard this repeatedly from every artist that I’ve introduced to the charity. They think they’re going to there to do something good for someone in need, and they are, but what it gives back to you is immeasurable.” 

The A-listers in attendance arrived in a celebratory mood: Shailene Woodley was dancing in the aisles to the background music even before the show was off to a proper start, and Joaquin Phoenix was downright beaming through his beard as he squired his sisters Rain and Summer into the gala.

Actress Shanola Hampton, an active participant in the charity since long before her rise to prominence on Showtime’s Shameless, was also celebrated, receiving the organization’s “Spirit of Elysium” Award. The preacher’s daughter and self-professed “church girl” accepted with a fiery, inspirational call to action that had more in common with a sermon from the pulpit than a typical Hollywood awards acceptance speech.

Hampton told THR her 14 years of involvement in Art of Elysium has been more rewarding than any trophy. “It’s meant a lot to be a part of it for so long because some of these children don’t leave the hospital,” she said. “They’re there getting help because the families cannot help them, so I’ve watched them grow up, and I’ve watched them evolve, and I’ve watched them grow, despite that they will never walk, despite that some will not speak and will have to use eyes as their language. And we bring arts to them. That combination, I think, has created an energy. One that we need to expound on, especially to battle the negativity that we’re experiencing in this climate right now.”

With Legend involved there was also, of course, music: America’s Got Talent winner 13-year-old prodigy Grace VanderWaal first took the stage to dazzle the crowd with her distinctive soulful-folk sound; later X-Ambassadors had attendees Vanessa Hudgens and Nikki Reed dancing arm-in-arm in the aisle, and lead singer Sam Harris captivated the crowd with a solo acoustic take on the group’s mega-hit “Unsteady.”

But Legend was the ultimate attraction on stage, accepting his honor and launching swiftly into a smooth, high-energy performance, dancing to his song “Love Me Now,” playing a dynamic rendition of his chart-busting song “All of Me” – complete with knowing, over-the-should glances in his wife’s appreciative direction – and teaming on stage with his collaborator Common for a righteously pumped-up version of the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winning song “Glory” from the 2014 film “Selma,” bringing attendees including Amber Heard, Danielle Panabaker, Victoria Justice, Ali Larter, Derek Hough and Emmanuelle Chriqui to their feet for the anthemic finale.

“I never know what’s going to happen,” offered frequent attendee Abigail Spencer, “because the guest artist curates the entire evening, and no gala is ever going to be the same. My first experience has been different from the second, from the third, from the fourth. It’s truly around the artist vision of heaven, and I love how they execute it.” — Scott Huver

Issa Rae Talks Black Gowns, Amy Pascal Gushes Over Black Tea at BAFTA L.A. Tea Party

Party: BAFTA Tea 

Players: Jordan Peele, Armie Hammer, Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Aaron Sorkin, Gary Oldman, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Williams, James Franco, Timothee Chalamet, Greta Gerwig, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Naomi Campbell, Emma Watson, Nick Jonas, Sam Rockwell, Isabelle Huppert, Allison Janney, Mary J. Blige, Amy Landecker, Bradley Whiford, Laurie Metcalf, Eiza Gonzalez, Joseph Fiennes, Brooklyn Prince, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, Gillian Anderson, Kyle MacLachlan, Katherine Langford, Sebastian Stan, Willem Dafoe, Diane Warren, Freddie Highmore, Megan Mullally and David Harbour. 

Place: Four Season Hotel Los Angeles

Spread: Somebody tell Mariah Carey she should've stopped by because there was plenty of tea. It was hot tea, too. Up for grabs on the beverage menu was classic PG Tips, Tetley and green as well as coffee, while adult beverage choices included Heineken, Tanqueray, Ruffino Chanti and Pinot Grigio. Food choices like smoked salmon on brown bread, open-faced coronation chicken sandwiches, traditional English cucumber, cheddar cheese tomato chutney on brown bread, egg and cress salad on white bread, roast beef and mustard on rye and Welsh rarebit. 

Inside Dish: "The blacker the better," answered Amy Pascal when THR asked for her tea preferences. "I love tea." Same for her party pal inside the Four Seasons ballroom, The Post screenwriter Liz Hannah. Pascal produced the Steven Spielberg film, which was celebrated Friday night at a private buffet-style reception inside the penthouse at Chateau Marmont. Pascal tells THR that Colleen Camp and David O. Russell hosted the "wonderful" party together. "Nobody throws a party like Colleen!" Pascal noted. (Another source said guests included Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Adam McKay, and others.) 

Nobody throws a party like BAFTA L.A. which is always great for spotting stars catching up with new or old friends, and Saturday's fete offered combos like Katherine Langford and Nick Jonas; Kumail Nanjiana and Emily V. Gordon locked in a convo with Sam Rockwell; and Netflix's Ted Sarandos holding court with Mary J. Blige and her Mudbound director Dee Rees. "I love seeing people I admire," Rae told THR. " I just got to see Daniel Kaluuya and exchange a couple of words. I love seeing people I'm a huge fan of, and when alcohol is involved, you feel like you can approach them." Hence why her tea of choice is "tea with bourbon." 

The Insecure star was dressed in a canary yellow design by Rosie Assoulin because "I love this color," Rae explained, before confirming that she will be wearing black on Sunday. "I am going to be in solidarity with all my sisters tomorrow for the cause. I'm thinking of it as a black funeral — a celebration. We're celebrating what will be, the death of something old. It feels like there are so many action points that feel attainable. Black represents unity. It's not boring. Black represents a reemergence, a shedding of skin in a very positive way." 

Diane Warren is never boring, either. "Do they have coffee here?" asked the superstar songwriter, making the rounds for her unifying jam "Stand Up for Something." "Do they have Ice Blendeds? Is there a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ice Blended stand around anywhere?"

Daniel Kaluuya, @IssaRae, Peter Fonda, general scene inside #BAFTATea (Peter Fonda just gushed to Daniel about how much he loves @GetOutMovie) pic.twitter.com/nQIbbXNW8Q

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) January 6, 2018

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Timothee Chalamet Embraced by Well-Wishers at Indie Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch

Spread: Tray-passed Hors d'oeuvres including eggplant tapenade, crab cakes, polenta cake, mini-burgers, chocolate mousse, chocolate cakes, gold flaked cheesecake, along with a breakfast buffet of bacon, pan-crusted whitefish, eggs Benedict and fingerling potatoes. The mimosas were flowing along with the coffee.

Inside Dish: Less crowded than it’s been in recent years, the Indie Spirits nominees brunch still had plenty of the biggest names in indie film from the past year chatting it up during its annual Saturday morning brunch, where the organization also gave out $150,000 worth of cash grants to five filmmakers.

There was a lot to talk about on the blue carpet, from the #MeToo movement, the future of independent film and, of course, President Trump's latest tweets. The one he posted Saturday morning about being a "very stable genius" had Patti Cake$ director Geremy Jasper in stitches. "That guy needs to write and direct a movie," Jasper joked to THR. "They need to give him the next Star Wars. The empire would definitely win. Yeah, he's not a genius, he's a fucking schmuck."

Get Out stars LilRel Howery and Betty Gabriel were some of the earlier arrivals, with Gabriel stopping to sign autographs and take photos with fans on her way into the event.

Matt Bomer and Call My By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino chatted in one corner of the room while Black List founder Franklin Leonard was talking to Big Sick co-writers Emily v. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani.

As John Cho took the stage with Alia Shawkat to announce the grant winners, he was heard whispering, “I just saw Marisa Tomei. I’m very excited.”

While the presentation took place in the patio, inside, Disaster Artist star James Franco and Effie Brown chatted and wrapped up their conversation with a hug.

Several of the nominees arrived late into the party, including Call My By Your Name star Timothee Chalamet, who received multiple hugs as he walked through the crowd — and stopped to greet fans waiting outside on Sunset Boulevard upon his exit.

Daniel Kaluuya followed soon after, reuniting with his Get Out co-stars, who had celebrated their film the night before as an intimate party at Sunset Tower.

Near the end of the event — before most attendees headed to the annual BAFTA Tea party — Chalamet, Kaluuya and Najiani posed for photos, and then fellow nominee Salma Hayek joined, organizing a group photo before chatting with Chalamet for a while.

As the party wound down, Lois Smith exited, and signed a few autographs for the eager crowd waiting outside. The Marjorie Prime star told THR that she was eager to leave — not the party but Los Angeles. And where she wanted to go is rather shocking. "I live in New York and the weather there has been so frightening," she admitted. "I am going home tomorrow, and I am more tempted to be at home than here because I've just finished a TV job in Texas so I'll be happy to land at home for a little while."

— Rebecca Ford and Mia Galuppo

Billie Lourd Reveals Superhero Aspirations

Party: Moët Moment Film Festival Celebration

Players: Festival judges Billie Lourd, Laura Dern, Anke Hoffman of the HFPA, producer Leslie Urdang and Sharon Badal of the Tribeca Film Festival, Jamie Chung, Handmaid’s Tale’s Amanda Brugel and Nolan Funk.

Place: Poppy

Served: Fried polenta with red sauce (“It’s a marinara-y sauce,” said one waitress) and vegetable rolls as well as plenty of Moët & Chandon champagne served in gold plastic goblets.

Inside Dish: The event, toasting the third annual Moët Moment Film Festival, a competition for aspiring filmmakers to create 60-second shorts to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Globes, got off to a wet start when couches had to be removed from the club just minutes before the festivities began because they hadn’t dried from their cleaning earlier in the day after a party from the night before went to about 5 a.m.

The Moët guests were greeted and checked in at Poppy’s front entrance, which was decorated for the night with an overhang of fake white flowers and line with black, white and gold signage.

Towers of gold Moët & Chandon bottles were placed around the club. A waiter popped a magnum of the bubbly on the red carpet followed by overzealous partygoers trying to get him to fill their gold goblets. 

At the bar in the front of the club, someone was pouring champagne on the Ken doll-like figurine that stars in the gay parody Instagram account The LA Basics. 

About an hour into the bash, Moët & Chandon USA VP Renaud Butel spoke during a brief presentation featuring a viewing of last year’s winning films. “I have a question for you, do you remember how your career in the film industry started?” Butel asked from a raised platform next to the deejay booth. “Most importantly, do you remember who was there to support you? Because today, more than ever, we have the power to support emerging talents. All of us here in this room have this power. This festival started as a love story between Moët & Chandon and cinema. The cinema is about feelings, it’s about sensations and I understand tonight that Moët is also about feelings, sensations, happiness [and] joy.”

Lourd told The Hollywood Reporter that she was “shocked but honored” when she was asked to be a judge. “It’s going to be so much fun,” she said. “I can’t wait to see all these films… These people are probably going to be way better than anything I could ever do.”

No doubt, Lourd will take advantage of her new pull with Moët & Chandon. “I like a morning champagne kind of thing,” she said, before quickly adding, “Not too early in the morning. Like a mimosa brunch, something classy like that.”

As for the Globes on Sunday, Lourd will keep it “mellow” by watching the big show at home and ordering in some Chinese food with her dad, CAA’s Bryan Lourd. She’s rooting for Lady Bird. “I love Lady Bird,” Lourd gushed. “I’m obsessed with Lady Bird.”

On the television front, she’s rooting for Evan Peters for his work in American Horror Story even though he wasn’t nominated. “I’m devastated,” Lourd said. “I feel like I’m always doing campaigns for Evan. He really should win everything. I love him.”

The Star Wars actress was tightlipped about her next role (“I don’t know if I’m allowed to say yet,” she said), but she did confess she has superhero aspirations. “I’d love to play a superhero,” Lourd said. “Like hopefully it will happen tomorrow. Let’s find me a superhero role!”

Jamie Chung will be party hopping on Sunday — as she should be. She created Moët’s custom cocktail for the Globes.

“There are two things that I love–Moët & Chandon Imperial and tequila,” said the actress, whose Fox series The Gifted was just picked up for a second season. “I mixed the two together and you know what? It actually does work. You add fresh squeezed blood orange juice and a little bit of honey. I wanted to go a little spicier but they were like, ‘No, let’s go sweet,’ so we added a candied orange in honor of the diamond anniversary of the Golden Globes.”

Chung doesn’t think the seriousness and importance of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movement will diminish the Globes’ celebratory atmosphere. “These kinds of events have always been a platform for people to politically speak their mind,” she said. “Historically, it has been an opportunity for us to use it as a platform.”

Brugel thinks the black dresses will hit the perfect tone. “I love it,” she said. “I think it’s a fabulous statement. I don’t think it’s anything that’s too aggressive but it’s impactful. I can’t wait to see everyone and what they’re wearing and all their different variations. I don’t know necessarily that it’s something that has to continue on for years and years but the fact that everyone banded together so quickly, I think it’s remarkable.” — Marc Malkin

Emilia Clarke Fangirls Over Her Favorite Film; Mary J Blige's Entourage Takes Over

Party: W Magazine Best Performances
 
Players: Hosts Stefano Tonchi and Lynn Hirschberg alongside cover stars Sam Rockwell, James Franco, Gal Gadot, Mary J. Blige, Brooklynn Prince, Salma Hayek, Daniel Kaluuya, Jim Belushi, Hong Chau for the magazine's "Best Performances" issue. The Thursday evening soiree became date night for many Hollywood couples including Joe Wright and Haley Bennett; Gadot and Yaron Versano; Justin Hartley and Chrishell Stause; Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett; Les Moonves and Julie Chen; Cara Santana and Jesse Metcalfe; Michelle Monaghan and Peter White; as well as Kyle MacLachlan and Desiree Gruber. Others who filled the room included Zoey Deutch, Aziz Ansari, and Tracee Ellis Ross, Michael Govan, Tommy Hilfiger, Sonequa Martin, and Leslie Moonves, among others.
 
Place: Chateau Marmont penthouse decked out with oversized images from the magazine's Best Performances portfolio.
 
Spread: The Champagne was flowing at annual cocktail party sponsored Dom Perignon (in addition to Audi and Dior). Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres included black truffle arancini, mini veggie and beef burgers, crispy chicken oysters, truffle beef tartare and mini croque monsieurs, and pigs in a blanket. The mainly untouched buffet served up fried chicken, braised beef shortribs and organic salmon with mac 'n' cheese, steamed spinach and roasted vegetable sides. To top it all off, the dessert table featured treats from Dominique Ansel.
 
Inside Dish: Though not as star-studded as years past, the annual packed party saw film and TV stars such as Game of Throne's Emilia Clarke who spent time chatting with Battle of the Sexes star Andrea Riseborough, Outlander's Caitriona Balfe who showed up with rumored fiance Tony McGill, Salma Hayek who chatted up Hong Chau, and Mary J. Blige who was surrounded by the biggest entourage throughout the night.

Clarke, who will be presenting on Sunday night at the Golden Globes, gushed over Call Me by Your Name and told THR it was one of her favorite movies of the year.

“It’s just the most beautiful love story I have ever seen on screen,” she said. “I was reminded of experiences that I had. I was watching it and thinking, I’m so far removed from this situation but I understand it.”

The Game of Thrones star could also be added to the list of Call Me by Your Name fans who wants to see a sequel. Clarke quipped, “They can upgrade to a pineapple.”

The event even brought out Ashley Olsen who made a rare appearance at the party and even her sister Elizabeth Olsen was surprised to see her sibling because, as she told a friend, “she never goes out.” — Marc Malkin