LOS ANGELES – Jokin’ Joaquin: Phoenix Wanted To Be Insulted By The Academy | Inside Soho House: Hathaway's In Love Again, Madonna Shows Off Toy Boy, Aniston Goes Girls-only & Beyonce Puts The Stick Skinny To Shame | Bridget Moynahan And Jason Lewis: Just Friends? | Pop Tarts Sightings
Jokin’ Joaquin: Phoenix Wanted To Be Insulted By The Academy
In 2005, Joaquin Phoenix was an awards season favorite following his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, but fast-forward four years and he’s the newest object of unshaven mockery.
Late last year, Phoenix announced that he was retiring from acting to instead pursue a life-long dream of being a rapper. However, his recent (and very public) temper tantrums, bizarre behavior and unruly appearance have raised grave health concerns for the 34-year-old. Earlier this month, a disillusioned Phoenix appeared on The David Letterman Show where he spoke in monosyllabic slurs and stuck gum underneath the desk — providing great material for the 2009 Academy Awards on Sunday.
While presenting alongside Natalie Portman, Ben Stiller (donning an over-sized scruffy wig and fake beard) chomped loudly on his gum, prompting Portman (who was also in on the act) to chastise him. Stiller then pulled a Phoenix and stuck his gum on the podium.
The day before at the Independent Spirit Awards Phoenix also found himself the brunt of the joke. Comic host Steve Coonan dressed up as Batman and mimicked an uncensored "Christian Bale rant" alongside an actor resembling a highly disheveled, dribbling Phoenix. The next presenters on stage were "Juno" stars Ellen Page and Jason Bateman.
"Oh Ellen Page, why haven’t we seen you in a year?" Bateman asked. "Have you quit acting?"
So while we’re all laughing at these people pretending to be the actor-turned-rapper, it seems he is actually the one secretly laughing at all of us.
"Joaquin wanted this, of course he knew (about the parodies) because it’s all part of a very strategic plan," said our inside source. "He is selling it all as a documentary not about his musical career but the whole issue of public persona. It’s all a big joke and he’s not pursuing rapping seriously no matter what he says."
Phew - Ben Stiller can probably breathe a sigh of relief too.
"Ben (Stiller) was just going along with the joke that Joaquin started," added our insider. "He wasn’t poking fun at him, there are no hard feelings."
A rep for Phoenix did not respond for comment.
If there was one hotspot to be at during Oscars Week, it was definitely the famed Grey Goose SoHo House which this year was held in brand new hotspot Italian restaurant, Cecconi's on Melrose.
And inside the SoHo house, it became clear that nobody needs to feel sorry for Anne Hathaway anymore since her ex went to jail — the Oscar nominated actress appears to have fallen head-over-heels for Adam Shulman . Pop Tarts spotted Hathaway at the Sony Cierge Oscar dinner party at the SoHo venue getting super cozy with her man. The normally demure actress couldn't contain herself after dinner, she sat on his lap and his hands somehow found themselves all over her itty bitty backside.
"It's getting pretty serious," said a Hathaway pal. "Anne wears her heart on her sleeve and can't hide her feelings."
Also dancing and drinking into the early hours was designer Max Azria (with a table of hot young ladies about one third of his age) as well as Rachael Harris and Molly Sims.
On Friday evening, we spotted Jennifer Aniston (sans John Mayer) huddled into a corner table with Grey Goose cocktails and three gal pals, but clearly her man was her mind. Every so often the former "Friends" starlet stepped away to chat on her BlackBerry Bold in hush tones and was gushing to Mayer. Awww.
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale stopped by Jen's table for a quick conversation, but seemed to very much be enjoying their evening together away from playing parents and were one of the last couples to leave. Stefani looked as though she was about ready to snooze on the floor as Rossdale supported her back as they headed home.
Click here to see all the stars at the SoHo Lounge.
Pop Tarts also spotted a makeup-free Beyonce donning a knit hat and jeans on the front patio, and she probably would have managed to go incognito if it wasn't for her signature male and female bodyguards’ by-her-side. Beyonce proved that Hollywood hotties (well, some of them anyway) actually do indulge in carbs late at night and after polishing off her own plate of bread and pasta the "Single Ladies" songstress happily dug into her pal's plate.
The surprise star of the night was however, London-based bespoke tailor Ozwald Boateng, who arrived in style with supermodel Elle MacPherson on his arm. Boateng celebrated his birthday in the private dining area and attracted guests and fans including Ben Silverman, Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, Lawrence Fishburn, Isaiah Washington and Amaury Nalasco.
On Thursday evening Madonna still managed to steal the show, even though she tried to fly under the radar by slipping in and out the backdoor with her 22-year-old boy toy, Jesus. All eyes were clearly on the "Material Girl" and the young beau thus any acts of affection were consciously kept under wraps.
We also spotted a super smiley Sienna Miller buzzing about (apparently she came straight to Cecconi's from LAX after flying in from London) as well as Eva Longoria and Ryan Philippe (who certainly both love their cigarettes), Harvey Weinstein, Josh Hartnett, Elton John, Marisa Tomei, Oliver Stone, David Furnish, Elizabeth Banks and Juliette Lewis (wearing a witch hat. Seriously.)
Bridget Moynahan And Jason Lewis: Just Friends?
Tom Brady gave her the boot for Gisele Bundchen, but has Bridget Moynahan moved on to Jason Lewis?
Looking simply stunning in a red dress at an Oscars party at Hollywood hotspot MyHouse, Moynahan lounged around the couch all evening and seemed to be getting quite cozy with the Sex & the City star.
"They were engaged in very intimate conversation for hours, they even stayed after the show was over," said our spy. "She (Bridget) would often giggle and touch his arm and every time she leaned forward he would touch her back. Very flirty."
However a rep for Moynahan told Tarts that the twosome are not together and that they're simply pals.
Brad Pitt took his sons Maddox and Pax to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Wednesday night. Choosing to leave the girls (and 7-month old Knox), Pitt and his sons enjoyed some male bonding time at the ultra-edgy property, and at one point three Nintendo Wii’s were seen being delivered to the room.
Audrina Patridge was spotted dining (and drinking dirty martinis) at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio on Wednesday evening, alongside her brother, cousin and management team. Mark Wahlberg, Don Cheadle, Chris O’Donnell, Michael Weatherly, Roger Berman and Scott Wolf all enjoyed the game of golf at the Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades this past week.
Kellie Pickler, The City starlet Olivia Palermo and fellow socialite Tinsley Mortimer all stopped by the Judith Ripka booth at Bryant Park on Thursday. Designer Brian Reyes held an exclusive after-party (his first ever!) for his Invierno 2009 collection at New York hot spot 1OAK on Thursday night. The Colombian designer was joined by newly engaged Rachel Bilson, Benicio Del Toro, Wyclef Jean, singer Niia, as well as Gossip Girl's Nicole Fischella and Amanda Setton.
Nicolas Cage and his wife Alice Kim were caught on Thursday night partying in paradise at Aura Nightclub in the Bahamas.
Carson Kressly visited the Beach Bum tanning room during the Daily Suites at the Aka Hotel and was overheard gushing about he is going to be the new face of Caress. "Real Housewives of New York" star Jill Zarin snagged free goodies and a few cases of trendy new wine KARMA at the Spanx suite at the Bryant Park Hotel. Rob and Chad Lowe lunched with two lady friends on Friday at Beverly Hills restaurant La Scala. A super-thin Lara Flynn Boyle also noshed with pals close by. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard dined with friends Alyssa Milano and Jason Bateman at Nobu West Hollywood on Saturday evening, while Ludacris noshed at a separate table. Haylie Duff celebrated her 24th birthday with beau Nick Zano, pals Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, among other Hollywood hotties at the Bank nightclub in Las Vegas's Bellagio Hotel.
Spotted or Snapped a Star? Got a Good Scoop? E-mail poptartstips@gmail.com.
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