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Some philosophers believe that the key to happiness in life is lowered expectations.
But expectations ran sky-high at music industry empresario Clive Davis’s annual Pre-Grammy dinner party Tuesday night. And everyone certainly looked happy.
This year the hotly-anticipated party moved from the Beverly Hills Hotel to the newly snazzed up Grand Ballroom in the Beverly Hilton. Apparently there was a fire marshal incident at last year’s smaller, more exclusive party.
And Grand the party was. The Hilton’s huge space was packed to capacity. But unlike the intimate old setting, the cavernous ballroom, complete with sponsor’s names (L'Oreal!) projected on the huge video screens on either side of the room, had a staged impersonal feel.
So if it makes you feel any better about not being invited, you’d probably have had just as good a time if you stayed home and listened to XM Satellite Radio, which broadcasted Kelly Clarkson, Rod Stewart, Chris Brown, Heather Headley, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Fantasia Barrino, and Barry Manilow’s performances live.
Unless of course, you were seated at one of the hot star-jammed tables in the VIP center of the room, where the celebs stay when they’re not taking a bathroom or a smoke break.
But there was an inordinate number of large burly bodyguards surrounding each table. Even though the security dudes, most the size of a stacked washer/dryer unit, wore nice suits, its not a good idea to get them riled up. So unless you had legit business in the center of the room, it's best to stay above the fray and observe the action from a safe distance.
But where else can you see sights like these:
Rod Stewart’s daughters Kimberly and Ruby and his new wife, Penny, wildly dancing at their table while Poppa Rod opened the evening with “Maggie May.” The ladies each held up a small table votive, swaying the candles to and fro like lighters held up at a ‘70s concert. Even Courtney Love, looking fresh from her just-ended house arrest, couldn’t resist joining the exuberant Stewart groupies.
Jamie Foxx kissing Gabrielle Union and keeping his lips stuck to her face so long that he made her collapse in hysterics while the photographers kept on shooting.
And at another table...
Ashlee Simpson, ditching Poppa Joe - wearing a diamond stud earring - to hang with Black Eyed Pea Fergie, Tyra Banks and Salma Hayek. Can you blame her? Dads can be sooo embarrassing.
Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson with the Idol guy who shoulda won, Bo Brice.
Brett Ratner hugging Courtney Love. Courtney Love kissing Bret Ratner. Now there’s a train wreck worth watching.
Carlos Santana posing for pixs by pointing at Steven Tyler. Then he posed and pointed at Quincy Jones, who pointed back right at him. Boy, we're having some fun now!
Slinky babes-in-black: Sharon Stone commiserating with Sheryl Crow, probably about men. Don’t worry babe, you’re better off without that scrawny cyclist.
O-nominee Terrence Howard hugging Tyra Banks. Very hard. Very close. And for a very long time.
Diana Ross greeting Jon Voight, and laughing about their hotly rumored romance. No, they’re not dating. Give it a rest!
As usual, the outside smoking area above the pool is the best star watching spot. That’s where Dixie Chicks chatted with Love before the show and Bill Maher hung with his date, who looks exactly like all his dates.
Dixie Chick Natalie Maines was most excited about hearing Stewart and Manilow, the latter because one of his songs was played at her wedding. Aww.
Photo Credits:
1. Courtney Love, Kimberly, Ruby and Penny Stewart are the girls with Rod's band.
(Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2. Jamie Foxx superglues his lips on Gabrielle Union's face.
(Kevin Mazur).
3. Sharon Stone commiserates with Sheryl Crowe.
(Kevin Mazur)
4. Diana Ross gives a big hug to Jon Voight, even though they're not dating.
(Lester Cohen/WireImage)
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