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Oscar Fashion: Positively Best and Worst Gowns

By Hilary Dickinson | March 1, 2009

The Belles of the Ball

Most improved: After her gypsy-inspired ensemble at the Golden Globes and peach bridesmaid dress at the SAG Awards, Oscar nominee Marisa Tomei finally got it right with her one-shoulder silver, pleated Versace gown.

5. Amy Adams: Sure the Oscar nominee’s Fred Leighton necklace was huge, but it was stunning with 39 carats of diamonds and 630 carats of sapphires, emeralds and rubies. While it could have matched a little better, it still didn’t take away from her red Carolina Herrera gown. The draping fabric in the front and black stitching across the bust and down her back made for some exquisite details.

4. Taraji P. Henson: The best actress nominee didn’t look anything like her frumpy alter ego in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in her delicately pleated, fitted champagne gown. Her big diamond necklace and train added extra elegance to the Roberto Cavalli gown without overpowering her.

3. Reese Witherspoon: The rich blue and black colors of the former Oscar winner’s Rodarte gown made for a striking contrast. Adding to the beautiful ensemble are the sparkles on the bust area and the draping black fabric.

2. Alicia Keys: We’re not sure why the Grammy-winning singer was at the Oscars, but she sure showed those movie stars how it’s done with her elegant yet young fuchsia Giorgio Armani Prive gown.

1. Natalie Portman: This beautiful actress was a lovely fresh breath of air in her Rodarte orchid-colored gown, which set her far apart from the many other metallic and black gowns on the red carpet. It fit her perfectly, and her simple silver bracelet, rings, and earrings were just enough.

Better luck next year

Least Improved: The “Slumdog Millionaire” beauty turned heads on the red carpet at the Golden Globes with her strapless mustard slightly ruffled gown and at the SAG Awards with her purple whimsical gown (although she could have lost the draped scarf). Yet, her blue John Galliano gown at the Oscars didn’t look like a million bucks with the laced one sleeve.  

5. Melissa Leo.  The Oscar nominee hasn’t had a lot of practice on the red carpet, but she could have used some pointers when it came to her frumpy brown dress with the oddly placed brooches pinned to her cap sleeves. A vibrant gown color and a more polished hair style could have done wonders.

4. Miley Cyrus: The huge volcano-looking skirt on her Zuhair Murad silk tulle gown was just too overpowering for the petite 16-year-old.

3. Beyonce: Hugh Jackman’s dancing partner should have taken a cue from fellow singer, Alicia Keys when picking out a gown. The House of Dereon dress was yet another mermaid-style that we’ve come to see her wear again and again; but, the biggest crime was the gold leaf design. It’s one thing to want an Oscar, but you shouldn’t match it.

2. Sarah Jessica Parker: Her alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, is a fashionista, but this Dior Couture gown would have been better off on Barbie with its belt and overly puffy skirt.

1. Jessica Biel: You’d think Justin Timberlake could give his girlfriend better fashion tips. It looked like she had some extra fabric left over, so she just tucked it right back into her champagne Prada gown. The stiff round bottom of the gown was no hit either, but at least it hid her black close-toed shoes.

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Beyonce Selected to Sing for Obama’s Inauguration Night

By Tiffany Wilbert | January 16, 2009

Beyonce will sing for Barack and Michelle Obama’s first dance on inauguration night Tuesday, The Associated Press reports.

Which song she will perform is not being disclosed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.  “It is our hope that we can keep the song a secret until the moment,” said spokeswomen Linda Douglass.

Beyonce had expressed shortly after the presidential election that she was eager to participate in the inauguration.  “Whatever they want – if they need me to volunteer, the need me to sing, I’m there, and I’m ready,” she told a reporter.

Along with the first dance honor, Beyonce is also set to perform at Tuesday night’s Neighborhood Ball which will air on ABC.

Other stars performing along with Beyonce include her husband Jay-Z, will.i.am, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Sting, Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5.

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Tragedy Strikes Jennifer Hudson

By Judith Brown | October 27, 2008

On the heels of her national breakthrough tour, Jennifer Hudson and her family are faced with the worst of tragedies. On Friday Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, age 57, and Donerson’s oldest son, Jason, age 29, were found dead by Jennifer’s sister, Julia, in Donerson’s home. Both had been shot multiple times.

As if things couldn’t get worse, Julia’s son (Jennifer’s nephew) is missing from the home, where he spent the night with his grandmother. He is just 7 years old. The Hudson family went public to plea for the child’s safe return.

From the beginning of her career, Jennifer Hudson credited the loving support and continued encouragement from her family. It was in fact her mother who suggested Hudson audition for American Idol, which helped to launch her career.

Since appearing on AI, Hudson has gone on to appear in films, notably Dreamgirls, which garnished an Oscar, as well as several other films. Her latest film, The Secret Life of Bees, is now appearing in theaters nationwide and also stars Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo.

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Rock + R&B = 007

By Dillon Wallin | September 26, 2008

Jack White, the front half of the duo The White Stripes, and Alicia Keys, the R&B songstress, have crossed format lines.  The two recently teamed up to record the White-penned theme song to the next James Bond film, due out in November. 

The song is called “Another Way To Die” and, although that sounds like the title of a Bond adventure, the movie is actually saddled with the cumbersome but unique title “Quantum Of Solace.”

The song starts with the trademark Jack White fuzzy rock guitar, but then comes a twist on the familiar Bond theme horns.  Indeed the song could be a heavy White Stripes song filtered through the Hollywood soundtrack machine, with strings, horns and eerie tinkling piano.  But Keys holds her own; she brings her soulful style into a harder arena and makes the track much richer for it.

White and Keys trade verses dealing with the spy life.   The verses were written after White read the script for the new film and was inspired to write lyrics dealing with mistrust and paranoia.

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Bling On The Block

By Dillon Wallin | September 14, 2008

Hip-hop’s biggest chains, rings, pendants, and bracelets will be up for bidding on October 1.

The auction, called “Hip-Hop’s Crown Jewels,” will be hosted by the Phillips de Pury Company, and the profits go to three non-profit organizations run by rap mogul Russell Simmons.  The 50 pieces of custom-made jewelry on the block are worth an estimated $3 million.

Some of hip-hop’s most famous bling is amongst the items going under the gavel: Tupac’s Diamond and Ruby Crown ring, Slick Rick’s diamond eye-patch, Missy Elliot’s diamond, black diamond and gold turntable ring, Biz Markie’s black and white diamond headphones pendant, Pharrell Williams’ pave diamond Gucci link necklace, and Lil’ Jon’s massive diamond and yellow diamond pendant which, at nearly 12 pounds, is weighed down by 3,756 round-cut white diamonds set in 18K yellow and white gold.

Other contributors include Diddy, 50 Cent, MC Lyte, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and the late Notorious B.I.G.

The pieces will be available for viewing in New York City from September 22-30.

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Alicia Keys Strikes Chord with 007

By Judith Brown | August 15, 2008

Joining the ranks of musical legends like Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon and Madonna, 11-time Grammy winning, multi-talented Alicia Keys has signed on to record the theme song to the latest Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, slated for release November 7.

The song, titled “Another Way to Die”, is the first duet of a Bond film. But no worries: Keys is used to breaking barriers with her in-your-face-styled lyrics and her “know-she-didn’t-strike-that-chord!” musicianship.

We can hardly wait for the Bond-themed collaboration between her and Jack White of the alternative rock band, The White Stripes, expected to drop October 28.

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