Styles & Scenes

Do Hollywood Swag Addicts need an IRS intervention?

It's okay. You can all relax. Looks like Oscar presenters, performers and nominees won’t have to pay back taxes on their past gift baskets, after all.

According to a release from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, they've reached a “mutually satisfactory agreement” with the IRS settling the tax obligations on gift bags up until 2005.

What a relief. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been losing sleep about this ever since I heard rumors that Academy swag bags filled with goodies, fabulous trips, services, designer stuff estimated at $75-100 grand, might be dubbed additional income and could cause a slight tax hike for celebs.

Because I’m sure these poor stars who make $10-50-100 million per movie don’t have accountants who can hide a gift basket or find a charity contribution to offset a measly hundred grand. I've also been worried about what the elimination of goody bags might do to the Hollywood re-gifting habit when all that unwanted swag is handed out on birthdays/holidays to loyal servants, maids, gardeners, hairdressers, personal trainers, manicurists, stylists, pet-sitters and yes, even friends.

C’mon, guys. You know you do it.

But gift bags will continue. And the recipients of the Oscar gift basket given at the 2007 awards will be issued appropriate informational tax forms by the Academy and will be responsible for satisfying their income tax obligations.

“We appreciate the Academy’s leadership on this issue,” IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson says in the release. “The gift basket industry has exploded, and it’s important that the groups running these events keep in mind the tax consequences.”

“We are happy to have reached an agreement with the IRS which works to the benefit of the gift basket recipients and the Academy,” said Academy president Sid Ganis.

Ganis said that it was unclear as to when the practice of thanking Academy Award presenters and performers with baskets began, but that it was well established by the early '70s.  The major stars who present awards on the show are not paid for that service, and the performers receive only the minimum union payment.

Over time these so-called “thank-you gifts” – call them incentives - became more elaborate as hotels, resorts and high-end clothing lines vied to associate their services and products with Hollywood’s most famous names.

In April, the Academy Board of Governors voted to discontinue the practice of thanking Academy Awards presenters and performers with gift baskets.

And publicity about the baskets led Everson to issue a press release three days prior to the 2006 Academy Awards broadcast which focused on gift baskets and pointed out that “movie stars face the same tax obligations as ordinary Americans.” 

“The Commissioner worked some movie titles into his reminder that gave it a humorous spin,” Ganis said, “but the basic message was clear:  the contents of the baskets, however much we may have been inclined to view them as mannerly thank-yous, in fact constitute taxable income.  And since we didn’t want any of our presenters to get hit retroactively for a gift we had given them, we asked the Service if there was a way for us to take on the tax obligations and they were very willing to work with us.”

Whew. Well, at least that’s over with. But somebody should tell IRS Commissioner Everson that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more work that must be done. He may not realize that the Oscar gift basket created a virus of freeby fests that sprout up all year round in Hollywood.

And trust me, it’s reached dangerous and toxic levels...

Photo Credits: Hollywood life imitates "Sopranos" art. Michael Imperioli makes off with his goody bag stash at the VHI Big in 2002 Awards. Bet Tony doesn't want it!
WireImage/Jeff Vespa

Star Wears: winning awards garb

The 2006 award season may be officially over. But red carpet couture will live on.

C'mon, admit it. You're just dying to slide into Heidi Klum’s Vanity Fair Oscars party frock. How about Pamela Anderson's vintage Bill Blass Golden Globes gown? Or maybe you'd like to unbutton Oscars host Jon Stewart’s Ralph Lauren tuxedo?

Now’s your chance.

Clothes Off Our Back is doing another one of their inexplicably successful online auctions in which stars donate their ABW (already been worn) award show clothing and people actually bid good, hard-earned money for the celebrities' used duds, money that goes to marvelous causes supported by the various celebs. Just check out clothesoffourback.org.

Other award show-worn garments on the block: Peter Jackson's Kenneth Cole dress shoes worn to the Globes, Ellen DeGeneres' Grammys sneakers, Joss Stone’s Grammys gown worn onstage to perform (hopefully dry-cleaned); Joaquin Phoenix’s Globes tux, Jessica Alba’s Golden Globes dress and last — but most certainly not least — Scarlett Johansson’s red Jimmy Choo heels worn to the Globes.

Too bad the offer isn't Johansson's spectacular red Globes gown. In case you don’t remember, that particular couture creation got foppish fashionista Isaac Mizrahi, E!'s current red carpet critic, into deep doodie.

Mr. Miz got scathing reviews for his impertinent questions to Ms. Scarlett about her strapless dress and a verbal hand slap from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for daring to reach out and touch her treasure chest during their carpet chat. As a result, he was noticeably reined in — at least in manners — for the Oscar carpet.

In Style magazine and Clothes Off Our Back children’s charity founders “Malcolm in the Middle” star Jane Kaczmarek and her “West Wing” husband Bradley Whitford, showed off all the to-be-auctioned awardsware last week at Republic restaurant in Los Angeles. And to sweeten the pot, Saturn tossed in a 2007 Sky roadster customized by fashion designer Richard Tyler.

But just because you weren’t invited to their show off party, do not despair. You can still bid on all this stuff — including the car — until March 31.

Just one word of caution when buying celebrity cast-offs: These people are very, very small. Klum's gown, for instance, is a size 2-4. Anderson is also a size 4. Most women may have better luck fitting into Camryn Manheim's size 18-20 Mon Atelier Globes gown.

Photo: For a good cause, you could look just as "smokin'" as Heidi Klum does in this Michael Kors gown at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash.
(Eric Charbonneau / WireImage)

Kelly Clarkson gets the Grammy party started

How would you celebrate winning two Grammy awards?

If you're Kelly Clarkson — best pop vocal pPerformance and best pop vocal album Grammy winner — it's pretty simple. “With a drink in my hand!,” said the grinning 23-year-old, holding a short glass of red liquid. What kind of drink is that? “Vodka and cranberry!” And how late was she gonna go? "Until morning! I won two Grammys!”

Clarkson was definitely the lady of the night at Sony BMG’s post-Grammy bash at the Hollywood Roosevelt's Tropicana pool bar. No mere "American Idol" fluke, Clarkson is now a bona fide music presence, and was the most accessible and enthusiastic star at the party.

There was no way to push through the curious crowd trying to rub elbows with "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa, seen chatting with legendary crooner Tony Bennett. Best new artist winner John Legend was surrounded by fans, friends and well-wishers, including ever-ethereal Fiona Apple, after changing from that pristine pure white suit to a party-practical black.

But Clarkson was hugging everyone who walked by, including Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Nikka Costa, songwriter Diane Warren, and her old “Idol” pal Randy Jackson.

Clarkson spent time chatting with Anastacia about a joint music project. “You’re so pretty," the sweet Texas singer gushed as the gals, both wearing black, talked about their respective Lasik surgeries and music making, giggling as they both said the song lyric, “Sisters, doing it for themselves” at the same time.

“She’s adorable and we’re both big fans of each other’s music,” said Anastacia afterwards. “We have similar styles so it wouldn’t surprise anyone for us to do something together. And tonight we found out just how much alike we are. We were finishing each other’s sentences!”

Photo: Kelly Clarkson gets the Sony BMG post-Grammy party started with Maroon 5's Adam Levine.
(Michael Caulfield / WireImage)

Photo: Tony Bennett shares post-Grammy thoughts with Bruce Springsteen at the Sony BMG bash.
(Larry Busacca / WireImage)

High times at Clive's bash

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...

Scoping out a Grammy party soundcheck

The ballroom in the newly renovated Beverly Hilton was rockin’ Monday afternoon during the sound check for tonight’s seriously star-studded annual pre-Grammy Clive Davis dinner party.

So far, Clive's stellar list includes "Hustle & Flow" Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, Kevin Spacey, SAG winning "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, Salma Hayek, Dave Chappelle, John Mayer, Val Kilmer, David Spade, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, the Dixie Chicks and Willie Nelson.

Howard is really making the music scene this week. He was also spotted with India.Arie at a MusiCares benefit honoring James Taylor on Monday night.

Starting off Monday's sound check, Heather Hedley filled the ballroom with her big voice, belting out a tune from her new album, “In My Mind.” After her first rehearsal, the vocal powerhouse told the sound techies, “I can’t hear myself over the bass. Can you bring me up a little bit? I think that’s all.”

After listening to this major talent, all we can say to Clive’s guests is bring earplugs. This Tony-winning singer who had the lead role in “Aida” on Broadway sounds fantastic — but she’s incredibly loud. What? I can't hear you!

Photo: India.Arie hangs with Oscar nominee Terrence Howard at the MusicCares benefit honoring James Taylor. What's next for Howard, a Grammy?
(Kevin Mazur / WireImage)

Warming up after Hedley:

Which Grammy nominee will sing at Elton's Oscar bash?

Elton John’s legendary annual post-Oscar bash promises to be even hotter this year.

Inside word is that the recently married Rocket Man is "this close" to inking a deal on the entertainment for his fabulous AIDS fundraiser held in West Hollywood, Calif., on March 5.

Word is that the act is humongous, mega, huge, and a “multiple Grammy winner and nominee.”

OK. So if we’re looking at this year’s nominee list, that could be Mariah Carey or Gwen Stefani, both nominated for record and album of the year.

Or maybe U2, nominated for song of the year and album of the year? Or, and this is not an educated guess, superhot Kanye West?

How about Gorillaz with or without their Grammy accompaniment, Madonna?

No, let's think even bigger: Paul McCartney?

Now that would be big. Getting a former Beatle at a post-Oscar bash. About as good as getting the Rolling Stones for the Super Bowl halftime show.

Photo: Is Sir Paul McCartney, seen last fall with Heather Mills McCartney at the 5th annual Adopt-a-Minefield Gala at the Beverly Hilton, ready to sing at Elton John's AIDS fundraiser on Oscar night? Yeah, yeah, yeah?
(Steve Granitz / WireImage)

Madonna's 'toon time at the Grammys

In case you haven’t heard — and really, why would you have — Madonna will perform at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 with — cartoon characters.

Yes, Madge and 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel — the four fictional animated members of the virtual band Gorillaz — will do a duet.

One has to wonder why Gorillaz — the brain baby of Blur’s Damon Albard, drawn by "Tank Girl" comic artist Jamie Hewlett — wanted to share a stage with Madonna. After all, "they" have four Grammy nods, including record of their year for their song “Feel Good Inc.” The 'toons are up against Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger."

As for Madonna, her rep Liz Rosenberg told People: “She likes them. She’s promoting her album ("Confessions on a Dance Floor"). She’s won a lot of Grammys. It seems like a wonderful opportunity for her.”

Maybe. About as good an "opportunity" as her recent appearance at Jean Paul Gaultier’s Paris couture collection. He designed her old '80s bullet bras, by the way, which are way overdue to be recycled, non?

Photo: It takes one Toon to know another. Just ask Madonna at her concert in Tokyo on Dec. 7, 2005.
(Jun Sato / WireImage)

Anyway, here's the show dirt:

Can a Sk8er Girl wear Chanel?

The House of Chanel has officially moved on after last week’s très embarrassing Reese Witherspoon/Kirsten Dunst Golden Globes dress debacle.

And who cares about zee upcoming Oscars? Chanel has fresh flesh to fry.

Punk princess Avril Lavigne, now 21, attended her first Paris couture show Tuesday, showing up at Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel couture collection held at the Grand Palais in the Louvre.

I know she's all grown up but gosh, it's kinda sad to see the end of our little grungster’s carefree Sk8er Girl wardrobe: self-ripped jeans, plaid minis, baggy cargos, safety-pinned Ts, suspenders, vests and that vast collection of men’s neckties, some swiped from her dad.

Seated in the prestigious front row, Lavigne was all chic and polite in a black Chanel couture dress (from the Fall collection, dahling) and carried a signature Chanel purse from the “Luxury by Chanel” collection.

Does this couture appearance mean Ms. Lavigne may sport Chanel if she attends the upcoming Grammy Awards? Hey, anything’s possible. Or maybe she’ll wear some Chanel stuff when she performs during the closing ceremony of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy on Feb. 26.

She has already worn Chanel…

Photo Credit: Avril Lavigne wears Chanel couture (like, duh) to the Chanel couture show in Paris.
(Tony Barson / WireImage)

Getting pretty fast

It’s never too late to look your best, even the middle of the Hollywood awards season.

Say you weren’t invited to (or nominated for) the People’s Choice, the Golden Globes or this weekend's Screen Actors Guild Awards. You've still got time to do an about-face if you're invited to the upcoming Grammys, or the Independent Spirits and Oscars in early March.

According to the folks at the M Aesthetics Spa on Sunset Boulevard, famous folks now wait until just weeks before a big event to fill in wrinkles, erase brown spots, plump and tighten saggy necks and jowls and flush out the nasty toxins that keep them from looking fresh for the cameras. And surprise, Beverly Hills dentists report a deluge of patients asking for teeth-whitening this time of year too.

All you need is two weeks. And a Visa, MasterCard or American Express card. Or all three.

“We were jammed with stars who came in for treatments just days before the Golden Globes,” reveals Angela Nice, M’s paramedical aesthetician.

Like who? Asking for names is frowned on. But I managed to get a few: Paris Hilton (semi-permanent faux eyelashes, air-brush tanning and endermologie body sculpting treatments), Daryl Hannah (endermologie), “Entourage” agent Jeremy Piven (You name it. "He practically lives here,” says Nice.), deceased “Lost” (on the show) cutie Maggie Grace (again, those hot semi-permanent lashes) and comedian Kathy Griffin, unfortunately still alive.

Natch, Botox is big. “You need to come in about two weeks ahead of the event,” says Marc Mani, M’s in-house aesthetic plastic surgeon. You may have seen him on The Learning Channel's series, "Body Work." Actresses who aren't spring chickens flock to Mani to banish wrinkles and scowls and to eliminate those annoying upper lip creases. He even gives men and women what he calls a temporary (four month) brow lift with a bit of Botox under the eyebrow. Cost? $17 a unit, which translates to roughly $300-$500.

No time to have your posterior fat sucked out and injected in your forehead furrows? No worries. Restylane is still the fast filler of choice to plump up forehead lines and naso-labial crevices. “Again, you should allow two weeks to let any slight swelling settle down,” Mani cautions. $550 per syringe. Some folks need two or three. Ouch.

The spa's hottest new treatment is the Titan, an infrared light-based contraption that blasts the skin with pulses of light that heats up collagen deep in the dermis, causing collagen to rejuvenate. The skin then tightens with no post-treatment 'down time' (otherwise known as days and weeks spent hiding at home so no one will ask what on earth you had done.)

“The Titan is instant gratification,” says Nice. “It tightens faces, necks, jowls. It works instantly and the results get better over the course of a month. It seems to work better on men, no one knows why.” But it’s pricey. $2,000 for the first treatment, $1,000 for the next two.

And M spa's Red Carpet pièce de résistance? A lymphatic drainage massage combined with endermologie, using a machine that uses vibrating suction to literally draw out toxins and extra fluids trapped in Hollywood’s hardest partying people. “It’s a great fast way to get into that designer gown that’s still just a tiny bit snug,” says Nice. “We call it the zipper magic.”

Eyelashes like Paris Hilton’s will set you back $100 for upper, $300 for upper and lower. But they last three whole weeks! Long enough to do several award shows if you plan well. And oh, don’t forget that all-important awards season golden glow with the M spa’s airbrush all-over tan. Just $45 for one session, three for $120.

Hey, even I can afford that.

Mariah's gown of choice

Finally, the secret is out.

Mariah Carey wore a skintight B&W satin Chanel gown to the Golden Globe Awards that had been designed and fitted on the sexy songbird in Paris by the house’s esteemed head, Karl Lagerfeld.

But it turns out that the Chanel frock became Carey's much-needed backup, not the award-winning songbird’s first GOC (gown of choice).

Curvy Carey had really wanted to wear an Escada gown also specially made for her. But the gorgeous gown didn’t arrive in time for her to wriggle into it and then wiggle to the Globes.

Seems the Escada gown was stuck in DHL hell, according to Brian Rennie, Escada’s design director, who let the news slip to a West Coast fashion editor last week. Rennie, Escada’s Munich-based head design dude, was in Los Angeles last week to show stars his Oscar-worthy gowns, including a $50,000 one-of-a-kind creation inspired by Monet’s famous water lily painting.

So now we know the real reason why Chanel’s Globes press release (naming actresses in Chanel) didn’t include Carey. They were as surprised as Escada was disappointed.

No word on what the late arrival Escada looks like. No inside news on color or print. But rest assured, the Escada gown will be worn, say my inside sources. By Mariah? Duh. Otherwise, the alterations would be a nightmare. Maybe at the Grammys? It’s possible.

This late dress dilemma happens more often than we know. Earlier this season, Scarlett Johansson’s gown for her London “Match Point” premiere reportedly arrived late. So she ended up in a less-than-stellar plaid Dolce & Gabbana shift.

We asked an L.A. PR agency insider why designer gowns are delayed. Is customs scanning the designs for smart bombs, checking for anthrax in the crinoline?

Photo: Escada head designer Brian Rennie with models wearing the house's Oscar-worthy gowns.
(Michael Buckner / Getty Images)