Sean Penn cozies up with supermodel at party

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

LOS ANGELES - Sean Penn and Petra Nemcova? Yup, you heard that right. You could almost hear the sound of eyebrows raising as the two walked the red carpet at Elton John’s Oscar party. The soiree was one of the hottest events in town thanks to the cancellation of the annual Vanity Fair party, so if Penn and Nemcova are together and hoping to keep things low key, they stepped out at the wrong party. Also at the Elton John bash: Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, Ellen DeGeneres and Billy Joel.

Across town, Miramax was celebrating a very successful Oscars night at Bar Marmot. The studio’s film “No Country For Old Men,” took home statues for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay: “A seriously good reason to celebrate,” as one Miramax executive put it. Winner Javier Bardem rubbed elbows with Penelope Cruz, and Ben and Casey Affleck were there, too.

And finally, who could resist the purple carpet at Prince’s post-Oscars fete? This was undoubtedly the most-coveted ticket in town, for anyone still standing at 2 a.m. when the party really got started. Among those spotted: Javier Bardem, Eva Longoria, Oscar winner Tilda Swinton, Kate Beckinsale and P. Diddy.

Grumpy Jolie nixes anticipated Oscar clash
First, it looked like the Oscars wouldn’t happen, then thanks to un-California-like rains and bone-chilling cold, it looked like it would be a washout. Stars such as Eva Longoria even toyed with thoughts of passing on the red carpet. And then finally, after 100 days of striking and two weeks of hectic preparations, the sun truly came out.

Video   The Scoop on the Oscars Feb. 25: Courtney Hazlett talks with Morning Joe's Willie Geist about the post-Oscar parties and reviews her predictions. Morning Joe

The week was one that proved to be nightmarish for celebrity stylists and fashion houses who were scrambling to outfit their clients. Last-minute party scheduling meant that celebrities who might have been committed to only one event suddenly had several from which to choose.

The most hotly anticipated showdown of the week, however, ended up not happening. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were all expected at the exclusive Night Before party at the Beverly Hills Hotel Feb. 23, but Brangelina was a no-show. The couple did show up earlier to the Independent Spirit Awards, where Jolie wore a form-fitting dress that proved that she’s undeniably pregnant.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP-Getty Images A very pregnant Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt managed to avoid an Oscar party run-in with Jennifer Aniston at the exclusive Night Before shindig, where both parties were expected, by simply being a no-show.

Curiously, however, the chance to put the questions to rest didn’t put Jolie in a very good mood. One person involved with the awards productions said, “She made it tricky to film because every time the camera cut to her, she looked really surly. We kept cutting away quickly.”

One person seated near Jolie agrees that she didn’t seem happy to be there. “When Angie was pregnant with Shiloh, she was all giggles, it was such a nice change. Throughout the whole show, she just seemed irritated.” One person who did bring a smile to her face: Daniel Day Lewis. “Every time he was around she light up,” said the source.

Awards aside, the party schedule left even the most skilled publicists in a panic. One publicist who has a high-profile A-list client said, “Without the Vanity Fair party, you’ve got all these other parties popping up at the last minute. It’s hard to know what is going to be good and what just sounds good.” One party that was a no-brainer: the last-minute party hosted by Prince. Also, Diane von Furstenberg and Madonna put together last-minute bashes.

“Really, the Globes set the tone for the awards season,” said another publicist. “It’s amazing how this pulled together so quickly. It’s still glam. It’s still the Oscars.”

Oscar swag

Slide show   80th Academy Awards Tilda Swinton, Daniel Day-Lewis were among the big winners who took the stage at Hollywood’s biggest party. more photos

The Oscar gift basket has been done away with, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of swag to be had during awards week. The Belvedere Vodka Lounge in The Four Seasons hotel saw a considerable amount of traffic. “Michael Clayton” star Tom Wilkinson perused the lounge’s offerings while sipping on one of Belvedere’s signature drinks, a non-alcoholic “Juno Virgin Fizz.”

Nominee Saoirse Ronan picked up Ray-Bans from the Ilori Luxury Lounge. “Lost” star Rebecca Mader scooped up Freeze 24-7 skin-care products, a favorite of the Hollywood crowd thanks to it having an effect similar to Botox.

And it isn’t all about freebies: Working Wardrobes, a non-profit organization that helps outfit adults in need with business attire was also there to accept donated items for auction. Abigail Breslin stopped by and donated the custom-made Jimmy Choo shoes she wore to the Academy Awards last year (you’ve never seen a pair of Jimmy Choos with such a tiny heel), and “Gossip Girl” Leighton Meester and “Ugly Betty’s” Christopher Gorham also donated items.

Oscar weekend celebrity movements

Slide show   Red-carpet Oscar fashion Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Renee Zellweger, other Hollywood luminaries shine in their Oscar finery. more photos

Jessica Alba grabbed lunch at Jack and Jill’s in Beverly Hills. Best-director nominee Julian Schnabel held court at the Gagosian gallery, which attracted a diverse crowd that included Tilda Swinton, James Franco, Diane Keaton, Matthew Modine, John Waters and Brett Ratner. Kathleen Turner grabbed lunch at Mr. Chow’s. Jennifer Aniston was at the Four Seasons literally glittering in Bulgari jewelry. Earlier in the week, “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson kicked back there with friends. Matt Dillon and Ellen Page hit the Netflix lounge in Santa Monica (Jiminy Glick, aka Martin Short was there too). Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Bateman and Harvey Weinstein all hit the Soho House’s L.A. outpost.

And because it takes a village …
Special thanks for helping Scoop out in L.A. go to Jimmy Coco, who raced from giving Eva Longoria her waterproof spray tan to my hotel to help me look Oscar-worthy (and waterproof!). Also, Johnny Giosa, the drummer for the Culture Killers is a master with a curling iron. Finally, The Right Label had just the right necklace for me. Many, many thanks!

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com.

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