Classic Gawker Stalker: Famous People Sure Do Like That Coldplay!
Sightings are sent in by readers and then posted to Gawker Stalker Maps. This is our occasional, old-school compilation of some of our favorites. Send your sightings to tips@gawker.com
In this shaken, not stirred edition of El Stalker: Chris Martin, Gwyneth, Jay-Z, Richard Ashcroft, Michael Stipe, the Arctic Monkeys, Moby, and Courtney Love make up the celebrity stew at the Coldplay afterparty at the Spotted Pig; Gwyneth and Apple, Chris Rock, Chris Robinson and Kate Hudson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Matt Damon, Calvin Klein, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Orlando Bloom, Amy Smart, Fabio, Bruce Springsteen, Russell Simmons, Stephen Baldwin, Wyclef Jean, Lucy Liu, Giovanni Ribisi, Rocco Dispirito, Tina Fey, Jennifer Esposito, Sting, Rosie O Donnell and Sarah Jessica Parker, Cyndi Lauper, Molly Shannon, Hank Azaria, Jamie Lynn-Sigler, Richard Belzer, Gavin Degraw, John Lithgow, and, in our most disturbing sighting to date, a bold Stalkette confesses to being turned on by Carrot Top.
3/25/06 Saturday night at the Spotted Pig: As we rolled into the Coldplay after show party following their show at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ, I spied a number of Stalker heavyweights checking upstairs. Not only were Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow sharing a meal (at the center spot at the table), Jay-Z and Richard Ashcroft (who has the opening slot on the Coldplay tour) were also hanging, toasting and chatting up industry types and other hipsters. At the opposite side of the upstairs room, Michael Stipe was sitting with some friends as the band the Arctic Monkeys mingled and got loose with a few pints. As the clock neared 1:30 a.m., Gwyneth exited the bar with her husband, who returned solo a short time later. When the clock ticked close to 2 a.m., my friend stomped my foot and as I looked up, I locked eyes with the former Mrs. Kurt Cobain herself, Courtney Love. Looking good in a virginal white dress, white heels and white gloves that covered her forearms, she walked through the crowd as Moby was a few paces behind. Moby and Love sat at a table and greeted Stipe and a few others. Shortly after, she lit up a smoke, before a round of fruity drinks was placed on the table. Courtney looked good but also a little worn out from all the plastic surgery and the substance abuse. Regardless, if I had the chance, I'd hit it.
Saw Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple in a black SUV on 9th Street between 5th and 6th at 7 p.m. Sat. They had the back window rolled all the way down and Gwynnie was resting her chin on Apple's little head as they looked out at the city. Gwyn looked exceedingly calm (maybe it's the macrobiotic effect) like she was wholly at peace taking in the view of PATH commuters elbowing each out of the 9th St. station. In fact, she seemed unfazed by my obvious (that's Gwyneth Paltrow!) attempt to point her out to my brother I expected that condescending I-think-I'm-British ? snarl face she does, but I got the slightly upturned you're-subhuman-for-even-caring-that-you-saw-me grin ? instead (we were in a cab next to her, she was in an SUV literally looking down on us unnecessarily humbling). I'm not a fan, but I have to say the natural look was working for her - little makeup, but she looked better than she has been in the magazines lately. I only saw her head, so I can't report on her "bump."
I sat next to Chris Rock and his wife at the Multiplex Cinema in Edgewater, NJ (I know...dirty Jerz, but I figure its close enough to NYC since its just a stone's throw away) for the 7:30 showing of Inside Man last night (Saturday, March 26). After he asked my boyfriend and I to move over right before the movie started, my boyfriend whispered "Hey, that guy looks a lot like Chris Rock", and I turned, and sure enough it was. I didn't want to bug him, so I just mentioned we were big fans, and he was grateful. Seemed pretty chill, wearing a puffy black Nautica jacket, white sneakers, and a black baseball hat. His wife text-messaged intermittently throughout the movie. It was dark so no one else noticed him. We did our gawker stalker duties once we got back to our car and looped around the parking lot to see if he was driving — and saw him pull away in his slate gray Range Rover.
Saturday 3/25, King Street: a surprisingly non-disheveled Chris Robinson sitting on the stoop, Kate Hudson in long overcoat and striped knit hat standing beside him. Baby Ryder nowhere in site hopefully getting a damn haircut already.
Saw Maggie Gyllenhaal in front of st pats on Mott and Prince, arm in arm with a girlfriend and listening to bagpipers practice for a wedding.
Saw Matt Damon Saturday afternoon at 12th & 2nd shooting a movie called "Margaret" (according to the NO PARKING signs). We walked by the catering table and I was going to say, "Hey, give me some food!" to whatever random person was standing around, but I got out "Hey!" and then found myself face-to-face with the talented Mr. Ripley himself. Surprisingly, he cheerfully said hi back, made eye contact, smiled. He's much more attractive in person (looks like a male skilletface on film sometimes) and was pretty tan (make up?)
Saw Calvin Klein and a male companion at the Battery Park 14 movie theater at the Sunday afternoon, 4PM showing of Inside Man ?. He actually tripped up the stairs in the theater and seemed wobbly on the way out. Guess rehab hasn t been as good to him as reported. I am sure this is a sign that Kate Moss is soon to be a CK snorts-model. ?
Saw Joaquin Phoenix at G-Spa in the Gansevoort hotel last night (Saturday). He was chatting with a tall, model-like girl and they left together at around 4:00 a.m. He looked absolutely adorable and seemed pretty low key. I didn't see him with a drink.
Saw Keanu Reeves (Saturday, 7:45PM) walking North on 9th Ave (between
Gansevoort St. and Little West 12th St.) He looked ready for a night on the town, but he was walking somewhat slowly by himself. When I looked back, I think he had already started up a conversation on his mobile phone.
I work in soho and you can't swing a cat without hitting a celebrity. Finally getting off my ass, here are this week's: Orlando Bloom in a huge, idling black Bentley outside (and across the street from) Balthazar. He was wearing a white shirt and was flailing about crossly; maybe was trying to get a jacket off or something. Amy Smart on the northeast corner of Spring & Broadway, Friday 3/24, around 9am. She was wearing a military-green jacket and was teeny and completely adorable. Also saw Fabio having breakfast at the Royalton today. He was there with what appeared to be a business associate as they were on their cell phones the majority of the time.
On Thursday 3/23, saw Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patty leaving Balthazar. They were cute, walked hand in hand and seemed in love and happy. The night before I saw Russell Simmons at Jivamukti. Some Jappy annoying girl with a Fran Drescher-like voice came up to him and asked, "Excuse me, are you Russell Simmons"? Couldn't believe it here he was at a yoga studio and this girl has the nerve to bother him. But he was actually really nice to her. I guess her friend wanted to volunteer for a charity of his, and he gave her the person to call and phone number. He seems pretty cool.
Saw Stephen Baldwin of all people, bargain-hunting at century 21 shoes. He was with a tall Italian-looking dude and cooing to a small child. Baldwin looked beefy but not unhealthy in that overgrown-frat-boy "I work in finance" kind of way.
Wyclef Jean was just outside of the Regis stage door at 67th & Columbus signing autographs for a few minutes (~10:15am); he then jumped in a limo across the street. 30 or so fans were waiting for Shakira, but a car drove inside to pick her up, then sped away without acknowledging the fans.
At 6pm on Saturday I spotted Robin Williams, with coffee in hand, crossing 67th St. on Broadway. He had the walk signal but was almost hit by an SUV making a last-second left. He was honked at and looked pissed (understandably)
My friends and I saw Lucy Liu on 3/25 at Candis Cayne s midnight show at Viceroy (18th St and 8th Ave) in Chelsea. She was with 3 gay guys.
Giovanni Ribisi — Equinox in Tribeca (54 Murray St) every day. Giant BOSE headphones. Has that crazy "I'm a Scientologist" look in his eyes.
At about 12:45 I spotted Rocco Dispirito walking down 49th street between 5th and Madison. He was in serious talking mode with some shorter guy and wasn't nearly as cute as when he turns on the charm. Then i rounded the corner, and in front of Saks on 5th I spotted Tina Fey (why is she so cute?) filming "the untitled Tina Fey Project", apparently a new TV show starring Tracy Morgan. At about 4:30 I saw Jennifer Esposito shopping in the Christian Louboutin store in the meatpacking district where sadly I can only afford to window shop. I recognized her, then couldn't think of a single movie she's been in. Huh.
I saw Sting taking a walk down East 10th street while his wife, Trudie Styler, was inside Jordan Antiques on East 10th and University Pl. making a purchase. He then went and sat in his car, refusing to come out for a photograph.
Saw Rosie O'Donnell and Sarah Jessica Parker outside The Plaza on 59th and Central Park. 6:43 pm. Looked like both were in deep conversation.
Saw Cyndi Lauper outside stage door at studio 54 at 12 30 am Sunday march 26 she signed playbills and took pictures and was very warm and kind. She talked to people about her anger with FEMA and was very generous with her time, was worth the hour and a half wait for her to come out after her Broadway show!
Saw Molly Shannon on 15th Street, btwn 9th and 10thave, behind Chelsea Market, all bundled up in hat and jacket. Might not have known it was her, except I recognized her voice, since she was speaking so loudly....6:01pm 3/24
Saw Hank Azaria Saturday night at Kevin Saint James on 47th and 8th. He came in around 2 am with a gorgeous blond and was incredibly friendly; he shook hands with me and buddies on his way in, had his picture taken with a bunch of strangers, and then he just hung out with his lady friend until 3:30am
Saw Jamie Lynn-Sigler waiting for a table with two male companions at Marseille on 9th ave and 44th St. Kept her back to the restaurant the whole time, though she did notice my prolonged stare. She is very skinny.
3/25/06 2:30ish pm: Saw Richard Belzer at 83rd and Bway walking his dog along with a male friend. Does he ever take off those glasses? [Ed: No.]
3/25/06 4:30ish pm: Ran into Gavin Degraw at an Intel event at the Time Warner Center at 60th and Bway. He's fairly soft spoken and humble.
Saw John Lithgow standing on the corner of 20th and 8th on Sunday, bidding farewell to two companions. He was wearing a black beret. I believe him to be tallish.
Saw Carrot Top turning the corner onto 12th from 9th Ave around 5pm on 3/23. What was notable about this sighting was not that it was Carrot Top but that I was checking him out before realized who it was. Fucking Carrot Top?!!! He was wearing a hat, and his features were striking but delicate. (I since hear he's had some work done...?) He was with a pretty but plain-looking girl, and staring right back at me. Around the corner on 9th Ave., there was a big ruckus where Halle Berry was filming something across from the Gansevoort. Security actually seemed pretty lax.