20th Anniversary Star Power
Belgian group Zap Mama brought down the house with a performance at Conde Nast Traveler's 2007 Readers' Choice Awards, October 10, 2007.
All Photos: Billy Farrell/PMc
Yesterday I brought you the recap of Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards ceremony. Today, as promised, I've got the scoop on all the stars who joined us in celebrating the magazine's 20th anniversary at the post-award party.
Here are a few highlights from a fabulous night:
While setting myself up in the crowded press box, I noticed actor and Daily Show Senior Political Correspondent Aasif Mandvi politely waiting to check in at the guest line -- on the wrong side of the red carpet. I made myself useful and guided him around the tent and into the celebrity entrance. That's me, rescuing stars one at a time! After a red carpet stroll for the photographers, Aasif kindly stopped to chat about his favorite spots. He loves to kick back at the Club Med in Turks & Caicos and dreams of visiting Egypt and China.
Alan Cumming and Debra Messing had a ball co-hosting the Readers' Choice Awards. When they stopped to chat, I discovered that Debra is a true Traveler fan. She routinely tears out pages from the magazine and files them away
for future planning. And they are both fans of Room With a View. Since yours truly is responsible for the page, that was a great compliment!
One of Alan's favorite destinations is the One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas, the winner of the Atlantic Ocean Resorts category. Debra had a great tip for traveling with a child: Bring an iPod and portable speakers so that you don't have to be at the mercy of voltage variations. What a great idea!
Rapper/Actor LL Cool J was eager to talk about his favorite city: Paris. He loves its cultural attractions, ornate architecture, and beautiful amber lighting, especially in the springtime. C'est magnifique! When choosing a hotel, gym amenities are a deal-breaker for LL. He's a big fan of the facilities of the Four Seasons (four-time 2007 Readers' Choice Awards winners). Judging by LL's impressively fit physique, the man knows what he's talking about.
After a fantastic stage performance by Belgian group Zap Mama, I caught up with LL again in the VIP area. He was eager to tell me about his recent trip to South Africa. He loved the country's cosmopolitan vibe and beautiful scenery. Like Aasif, LL says Egypt is one of his dream destinations, along with Morocco, Tahiti, and of course, there's always Paris in the springtime.
Later on, Mario Cantone and Kim Cattrall took a break from filming Sex and the City: The Movie to join our party and chat about their favorite spots.
Read on for the details.
Like Debra Messing, Kim Cattrall loves to comb through Conde Nast Traveler and save pages for future trips. Her holidays usually fall into one of two categories: Vegetation and Education. The first involves lots of reading and relaxation, the second is all about exploring new places, preferably with castles and caves.
Kim was excited to tell us that the Sex and the City movie is going very well. She loves getting back into her character, Samantha Jones, and even more so, loves the role New York City plays in the film. "It's like the Rome of its day," she said.
Though originally from Boston, Mario Cantone echoed Kim's sentiments about his favorite city. And once we asked him about his personal travels, it turned out that Mario could teach us a thing or two.
He's a veritable encyclopedia of hotels! Some favorites are the Villa d'Este on Lake Como, Fifteen Beacon in Boston, Hotel Plaza Athenee in New York, and George V in Paris (I wonder if he ever ran into LL there?). "See, this is why I'm poor and semi-famous because all my money goes to suites at nice hotels," he joked.
Mario, we hope you never stop traveling.
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Was Kim Cattrall anything like our sassy Samantha in person? Would love to meet her in person...Cannot wait for the movie!
Posted by: ssoruco | October 12, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Kim Cattrall was like Samantha Jones in that she was beautiful and impeccably dressed. She did not, however, do or say anything nearly as risque as Samantha. In fact, she was perfectly poised and lovely.
--Beata Loyfman
Posted by: CelebTracker | October 12, 2007 at 04:28 PM
Wow - so jealous! I think I might love Debra Messing. Was she simply marvelous? (be honest) - Naomi :)
Posted by: npiercey | October 15, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Debra was very gracious. She's an avid reader of Conde Nast Traveler magazine and so was genuinely inspired by the evening's winners and presenters.
-Beata Loyfman
Posted by: CelebTracker | October 16, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Very Impressive
http://www.chinatourselect.com/
Posted by: hbspsxltc | April 08, 2008 at 10:48 PM