Gawker Stalker: Famous People Sure Do Like the Strokes!
Sightings are sent in by readers; send yours to tips@gawker.com
In this who-the-fuck-wasn't-at-the-Strokes edition of the Stalk: Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, Mario Batali and Joaquin Phoenix (together!), John McEnroe, Bill Clinton and Jay-Z, George Clooney, Giselle, Ed Norton, Rachel Weisz, Colin Farrell, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, Ashley Olsen, Tim Robbins, Keri Russell, Billy Crudup, Michael C. Hall, Colin Quinn, Jimmy Carter, Mya, Alec Baldwin, Noah Wylie, Trey Anastasio, Jeffrey Wright, Malcolm Gladwell, Ric Ocasek, James Lipton, Chris Parnell, Logan Marshall-Green, Vanessa Minnillo, and Dennis Rodman.
Last night (3/1) in the middle of the Strokes show, I went to relieve myself in the ladies room and saw Drew Barrymore reapplying her makeup. She looked adorable in a black and white striped knit dress. From my stall, I could hear two teenagers (the likes of which were irritatingly ubiquitous at the concert) say, "are you the actress Drew Barrymore?" She replied very sweetly that she was. After being asked what Fabrizio was like (reply: "the cutest") the girls came out with the kicker. "You're so skinny! Oh my god, please don't be like Lindsay Lohan and get too skinny." I busted out laughing in the stall as Drew said thank you but she didn't think it was possible for her to be like Lindsay Lohan. She knows Lindsay and really likes her, but didn't think there was an apt comparison to be made there. When I emerged we exchanged some comments about the amazing things that come out of people's mouth (she had heard my laughing fit). I was truly struck by how nice she was. She and Lucy Liu were bopping around in the VIP section throughout the show having a great time.
3/1 spotted Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin all attending the Strokes concert on Wednesday night. Gwyneth and Chris went upstairs when the show started, while Drew and Lucy stayed downstairs in the first level of box seats. Drew was dancing and singing along to the songs and Lucy was dancing like a mad woman in a White Snake video to quote my friend. Drew was really sweet, she returned my hello with a "Hi, how are you" and a smile and then chatted it up with some girl in the bathroom about loving her MAC Makeup she has beautiful skin by the way. Upon leaving the bathroom she apologized to some Security personnel for taking much longer than she expected to; she probably felt bad that they had to yell at all of the gawkers to hurry up and get out of the bathroom. Drew was wearing an oversized black and white horizontal-striped shirt and black leggings, a fashion trend I have yet to embrace.
While outside of the Strokes show at Hammerstein on FRI PM: who should walk up together but very round chef Mario Batali (still wearing his orange footwear) along with a moody Joaquin Phoenix saw they were together after the show as well odd pairing for sure.
In the VIP section at Friday's (3/3) Strokes concert at Hammerstein, saw John McEnroe, tennis great and failed talk show host. He was stoic in a black top and black leather (!) pants. "You CANNOT be serious!" you say? Oh, but I am.
Arrived for drinks at Spotted Pig last night in the W. Village, and I saw one too many black SUV's out front, I figured it might be somebody important like Kelly Clarkson or some of the cast from One Tree Hill , but much to my surprise, someone told me it was Bill Clinton eating on the second floor with Jay-Z.
Usually its sister club, Reebok on the UWS side, gets the celebrities but yesterday (Thursday) around noon I saw George Clooney shooting hoops with a friend at the Sportsclub on E. 61st street. A little paunch, but not a bad jump shot, though he could use a bit more arc. There was an incredibly hot brunette with child in tow that entered the club with them, and I assume she is with Clooney's friend...
I saw Giselle in the West Village this past weekend. It was clearly a model coming our way radiant, gorgeous, dressed to kill but without effort (read: Uggs, expensive sunglasses, unwashed hair.) But she was with a short, scruffy guy and pushing (gasp get this) a baby carriage! My friend thought it had to be Kate Moss at first (must have been the drug addict-looking guy with her and the baby), but the Brazillian accent gave it away. The local garage owner also confirmed it was Leo's ex. Giselle is ridiculously stunning. And friendly. She smiled.
Ed Norton attended the Harper s panel, Is There a Case for Impeachment? at Town Hall last night (March 2). He was low-key, wearing a long dark coat and brown knit beanie, and sat close to the front he must have gotten his $10 ticket early, as the place was sold out. (The panel, by the way, was unanimous in their answer of Yes. )
Saw Rachel Weisz at the Bloomingdale's on Lex this afternoon. She was demurely sitting at a table next to the Burberry products, with a line of people presumably waiting to gently rub their wrists against her to get a little Burberry London (salespeople at the jewelry counters, meanwhile, were complaining and whispering because they had never heard of her). She always seems so naturally stunning on-screen, but today you could see her makeup from yards away.
Saw Colin Farrell at Moonstruck Diner in the East Village with three buddies in tow. Looking like he just woke up (it was 8:45am, March 4), he was playing his bill in what looked to be plaid pajama bottoms.
Tuesday (2/28) afternoon, got off the subway in Union Square was momentarily confused b/c the farmers' market seemed to be in full swing, and that's not right for a Tuesday. Then I noticed some cameras and, crossing the street toward Petco, none other than Terrence Howard, dressed in a suit and hat. He is unbelievably GORGEOUS, tall with skin that looks like honey. And those eyes... Nobody was fawning over him or staring, but I was smitten. He seemed to just be going about his business, sans attitude.
Saw Hotel Rwanda star Don Cheadle eating at Cafe Habana on March 3rd.
Last night at Boudoir I got to watch Ashley Olsen writhe like a whore when the DJ played 'Nasty Girl' by Vanity 6 followed by 'Slave 4 U' by Britney and 'PopoZao' by Kevin Federline (which is amazing.) My boyfriend elbowed me and said..."Look at that slutty amateur stripper on the banquette!" It was Ashley.
Saw Tim Robbins and his kids buying snowboarding equipment and hanging out at the back of Paragon last night (3.2). They were all very mellow and joking around with the pleasant saleswoman who was helping them (she played it all very cool even after they left). I almost didn't notice them at all, it was so un-scene-y.
Thursday, March 3rd, noon, at that coffee place at Perry and 7th Ave, I sat next to Keri Russell. After always reading on this site how beautiful her skin is, gotta say I was disappointed. Dressed casually in jeans and can't recall what kind of top. Was with some dude in a goatee (didn't he get the memo?) and stringy hair who would be considered the coolest slacker in Lincoln, Nebraska. They drank coffee, read the Times and whispered shit back and forth. Yawn.
Was at Nokia Theater last night (3-2) for the Belle & Sebastian show and Billy Crudup walked past me in the lobby. He was sporting a cane. Not sure if he needs it, but he sure looked cool.
Just bumped into Michael C. Hall today (Sunday, 3/5) walking out of a building on E. 34th St. He was dressed down, trim, and sporting red stubble.
Saturday night (2/25) at Hudson Bar & Books smoking the night away. Colin Quinn walks in and plops himself at the mirror seat. My friend who worships him happened to be in town visiting me for the weekend, and promptly freaked upon his arrival. Big deal, right? Did I mention that this exact scenario happened last year when she was visiting? It's like they cloned that night and replayed it a year later. Anyway, instead of admiring him from afar, this year my friend batted her eyelashes enough to cajole Colin into telling us a story. Something about getting arrested his first night doing standup. Ask him to tell you sometime it's pretty funny.
One hour ago, in the New York Times lobby: Jimmy Carter. Smallish, remarkably spry, gave a smile and hello to the front-desk guys. Strong resemblance to Orville Redenbacher.
While gettin' my fingers dirty eating those spectacular wings at Virgil's BBQ, I saw a very smokin' hot "Ghetto Superstar, Mya. I was hoping she was with Fiddy or The Game, but was let down to see that she was eating with a female publicist/manager type. They looked like they were in deep conversation, drinking those homemade lemonades.
Saw Alec Baldwin working out — and making out, or at least being playful and kissing — with his super-hottie Asian-looking girlfriend at Equinox on upper Broadway the other day. I heard him call her "Nicole"....she's really striking and has awesome, long hair. He was just sweaty and grumpy, and had these stupid glasses on.....except he seemed sweet towards her. What the hell is someone like her doing with someone like him?
My friend and I spotted Noah Wylie eating lunch around1:30pm (3/1) at Candle Cafe. He had some adorable facial hair going on, but his wife's lips looked a bit bloated and over collagenated. They were sitting in the corner with their kid, and looked pretty chummy with who I assumed was the owner of the restaurant.
We stopped by Great Lakes in Park Slope yesterday for a quick happy hour beer. The place was dead, except for Trey Anastasio from Phish and a couple of friends (bandmates?). Phish ain't exactly my scene, so I checked with the bartender after the band left they told her they were a band from Vermont. Sounds like a confirmation.
So Monday afternoon 2/27 I am doing the nanny thing at Mark Morris Dance center in Brooklyn, and as soon as I walk in spot Jeffrey Wright in the parents holding cell type room where people wait and get ready for the kids classes. I kept awkwardly making eye contact with him, so he knew I recognized him, but I always clam up around the famous types. Anyway, Jeff spent the time talking to another mom who was wrangling a toddler, talking on his Blackberry type cell phone, and at one point broke out the trusty video camera to tape the class through the tiny window in the door. As I chased my own blonde down the hall, I heard him remark dryly, "Evidence." His son was a total mini JW and very very cute.
I just saw crazy haired critic Malcolm Gladwell between 10th and A. He was peering into a clearly closed store and then tried to go inside. What is it about famous people that compel them to go places they shouldn't? (profound, huh?)
While riding the downtown 6 train, I couldn't help but notice that the gangly man in thick, black-framed glasses was none other than former Cars' frontman and current Paulina hubby Ric Ocasek. He was just riding the train like any other multimillionaire ex-punk, but between his oddly-shaped face and funky clothes, I was pretty sure it was him. The good times rolled until 33rd street.
Saw James Lipton at Atlantic Grill on Upper East Side at Sunday Brunch. He was at a large table w/5 other middle age brunch-goers. Met my eyes when I spotted him and seemed pleased to be recognized.
I saw Chris Parnell on the uptown f this am, 9:45-ish. He was talking to some random older guy whom I first thought might have been his agent but later realized was a complete stranger. Chris will be watching the Oscars at home like the rest of us nobodies
Last night was out for a nice quiet dinner with my boyfriend at Miss Williamsburg and in walks Logan Marshall-Green and sits at the table right next to us. I, of course, freak out because I think it's Jonathan Rhys-Myer (they could be twins, btw), but my boyfriend says no, it's only Trey from the OC. He was with some non-descript girl, she gave him some sort of present, they made out extensively at the table, they both kept talking about when their movies wrap they'll go back to LA and drive up the coast, and he left the table a couple times to go smoke (rolled cigarettes?). He drank a Corona, seemed moody and on edge (although there were all of 3 couples in the restaurant) and ate practically nothing. Raved about the food though... because it's like the best Italian food in the e village. I loved the gorgeous Jonathan Rhys-Myer-like pouty lips though.
Ran into Vanessa Minnillo in my building's elevator (the frat-house Rivergate building on 34th and 1st). It's the third time I've ran into her at the elevators. She either lives there or is sleeping with someone on the 19th floor.
So I was at Splash, the gayest of gay clubs, last night when who comes in but Dennis Rodman, some blonde girl, and some gays. They got there just in time to watch the all-male porn star shower show, which they seemed to enjoy. Then headed off to the deejay lounge for the rest of the night.