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Jessica Shiraz

By Jessica Shiraz 8/15/12 6:35pm

Step and Repeat

Debra Martin Chase and Tika Sumpter. (Nicholas Hunt / PatrickMcMullan.com)

Whitney Houston’s Sparkle Co-Stars Remember Her Fondly

The Cinema Society with Circa and Alice & Olivia hosted a special screening of Whitney Houston’s final movie, Sparkle, last night at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. This was a bittersweet moment for all of the cast and crew, particularly for two-time Emmy-nominated film producer, Debra Martin Chase, who also co-produced The Princess Diaries with the late singer over a decade ago.

“This was a twelve-year journey for Whitney and I to get this movie made,” former lawyer Ms. Chase told us. “It was her idea do the remake [of the 1976 film of the same name], and we spent the last twelve years trying to get it done. We had the most fun we’ve ever had making a movie. I know people always say that, but we really had a ball making this movie.”

Actress Tika Sumpter, from Gossip Girl, was sparkling head-to-toe in a golden dress. She also reminisced about working with Whitney Houston. Read More

By Jessica Shiraz 8/14/12 4:48pm

The Twilight Saga Continues

Robert Pattinson at the New York premiere of Cosmopolis. (Paul Bruinooge/PatrickMcMullan.com)

Robert Pattinson’s Cosmopolis Co-Star Feels His Pain: His Delivered Umami Burgers Get Cold!

“It’s not the sex you think I’ve had—it’s the sex I want. That’s what you smell on me,” Robert Pattinson growls to a co-star in his new film Cosmopolis. In another scene, a doctor performs an exam on Mr. Pattinson in a moving limousine. “Your prostrate is asymmetrical,” the doctor informs the heartthrob.

Though these (real!) lines of dialogue are absurd, they are nothing compared to the farcical spectacle The Observer witnessed outside the Peggy Siegal Company premiere at MOMA last night.

The newly single Mr. Pattinson ventured out wearing an elegant blue Gucci suit. As the retired vampire inched down the red carpet, the swarm of journalists covering the event whipped off their flats en masse and quickly slipped into sparkly, 3-inch heels. This was his first appearance since news broke that his girlfriend, Kristen Stewart, had cheated on him with the married director Rupert Sanders.

Indeed, Mr. Pattinson has been having a very difficult few weeks. Beyond the very public breakup, he hasn’t even been able to go out and buy a burger! Co-star Emily Hampshire and “instant bestie” told us about his hardship.

“We were talking about Umami Burger and he was like, ‘That’s the best burger in the world, but I haven’t been able to go out and get one. I’ve had to have it sent to me and it gets cold,’” Ms. Hampshire lamented. “He copes with it so well, he doesn’t complain. I mean, if I couldn’t have a Umami Burger I’d be complaining.” Read More

By Jessica Shiraz 8/10/12 6:15pm

Party Report

7 Photos

Masked raver

Gawker’s Golden Night: Silent Disco at the New York Public Library

After graduating, The Observer vowed that if we should ever step inside a library again, it must be for a classy party and nothing less. (Well, maybe for a scene reminiscent of the one in Atonement.)

And Gawker’s third annual “silent disco,” held at the New York Public Library, offered us a rare occasion to go back inside, with the musical accompaniment of DJs Dapwell of Das Racist, DJ Kalkutta, and Yeasayer being broadcast into the bulky headphones provided.

The vast library hall was decked in gold. Gold masquerade masks, bows, ribbons and Big Apple Shandy cocktails littered the tables. All the girls working the party also seemed to have gold-blonde hair.

Like a magpie, we were drawn to the shiniest individuals at the party. One guest appeared to be jamming on the dance floor with a golden walking stick, the strangest accessory to have lying around the house. Naturally, we demanded an explanation. Read More

By Jessica Shiraz 7/25/12 4:40pm

Charity

David Burke and Eden Grinshpan at the GenR Summer Soiree. (Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)

Ice Cream and Candide (But Not a Single Green Thumb) at the GenR Summer Soiree

“These are inspired by the McDonald’s McFlurries,” cooed a server as he offered celebrity chef David Burke a cone filled with a blend of strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream. The Observer also politely took a cone, examining it with mild anxiety.

After all, this summer soiree was being catered by Mr. Burke to raise money for the International Rescue Committee and to feature the New Roots campaign, which supports community gardens for refugees in America, so that they can grow, harvest and market food from their native cultures. If McDonald’s was inspiring the food, we were in a pickle.

Mr. Burke quickly corrected the good man: “Of course not.” He attacked his cone with a spoon. Read More