Had a hoot covering the
GLAAD OUT Auction in Chelsea on Sunday night, along with my pal Frank Anthony Polito acting as my photog/partner in crime. The 9th annual event is a giant silent auction of art donated by all types of artists with proceeds going to GLAAD's work to amplify the voice of the LGBT community. The party was hopping -- everyone was in great spirits leading into the holiday season -- and I even ran into a couple old friends who had donated paintings. NYC Housewife Jill Zarin -- looking completely ridiculous in some Cleopatra get-up -- was the evening's host, and a slew of other "Housewives" were spotted -- the Bravo camera crews were working overtime -- including Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Bethenny replacement Cindy Barshop, who seemed to be enjoying the new attention. Apparently bat-shit-crazy Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Sheree Whitfield walked the red carpet, although I didn't see either of them. However, I did see Lawrence "Miss Thing" Washington exiting the building in black-and-white go-go boots, so I figure She by Sheree had to have been nearby. (Newly bankrupt Sonja Morgan and The Countess were listed on the invite, but were definite no-shows.) Photos and brief comments below:
Ramona Singer completely waved me off the first time I approached her -- silly me didn't realize she was en route to a Pinot Grigio refill -- but was just delightful once she got what she needed.
Jill Zarin, queen of denial
David LaChapelle -- seen here with Amanda Lepore -- received the Out in Art award. I asked Amanda if she had any feelings about Michael Alig's impending release from prison. She was soft-spoken -- and, um, devoid of expressions -- yet kind and told me she had not had any contact with her one-time friend since he'd been locked up, but said you could never be sure what would happen in the future. The influence of drugs on Michael seemed to weigh heavily on her mind.
Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell -- aka "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" -- told me their show had been renewed for a second season (maybe I'll finally see it!). They also said they have an old-time
Christmas special airing Dec. 8 ("Oh, like the Carpenters in the '70s?"I asked, to which Brent replied, "We were thinking more like Donnie & Marie"). Should be fun!
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: With Dan Choi
I overheard Mike Ruiz defending "The A-List" to another journalist on the line, so when he got to me, I made a point of saying that he was by far the most "likable" person on the series. Keeping completely in character, he was quick to compliment his fellow cast members for bringing "excitement" to the show and "making it a hit." He said it was because of them that he has a bigger platform to do the things he wants -- and that a show just about him would be boring. When I mentioned that the episode that featured him and his father in a rather moving scene was anything but boring, he smiled and said he had gotten so much feedback from that most unexpected moment. When I mentioned that his dad was giving Maggie Griffin a run for her money as "most beloved reality-television parent," he said he had been saying the exact same thing!
David Bromstad of HGTV’s "Color Splash" was as sweet as he is on TV, although shockingly thin in person
The Gay Divorcee: With GLAAD President Jared Barrios
Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen
With Jesse Archer, who lovingly referred to me as a "featured extra" in his latest flick
The Replacement Housewive: Cindy Barshop joins NYC this season
With new friends Kristina (right) of
Cherry Grrl and her lovely fiancee, Nichole
Had a hoot covering the GLAAD OUT Auction in Chelsea on Sunday night, along with my pal Frank Anthony Polito acting as my photog/partner in crime. The 9th annual event is a giant silent auction of art donated by all types of artists with proceeds going to GLAAD's work to amplify the voice of the LGBT community. The party was hopping -- everyone was in great spirits leading into the holiday season -- and I even ran into a couple old friends who had donated paintings. NYC Housewife Jill Zarin -- looking completely ridiculous in some Cleopatra get-up -- was the evening's host, and a slew of other "Housewives" were spotted -- the Bravo camera crews were working overtime -- including Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Bethenny replacement Cindy Barshop, who seemed to be enjoying the new attention. Apparently bat-shit-crazy Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Sheree Whitfield walked the red carpet, although I didn't see either of them. However, I did see Lawrence "Miss Thing" Washington exiting the building in black-and-white go-go boots, so I figure She by Sheree had to have been nearby. (Newly bankrupt Sonja Morgan and The Countess were listed on the invite, but were definite no-shows.) Photos and brief comments below:
Ramona Singer completely waved me off the first time I approached her -- silly me didn't realize she was en route to a Pinot Grigio refill -- but was just delightful once she got what she needed.
Jill Zarin, queen of denial
David LaChapelle -- seen here with Amanda Lepore -- received the Out in Art award. I asked Amanda if she had any feelings about Michael Alig's impending release from prison. She was soft-spoken -- and, um, devoid of expressions -- yet kind and told me she had not had any contact with her one-time friend since he'd been locked up, but said you could never be sure what would happen in the future. The influence of drugs on Michael seemed to weigh heavily on her mind.
Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell -- aka "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" -- told me their show had been renewed for a second season (maybe I'll finally see it!). They also said they have an old-time Christmas special airing Dec. 8 ("Oh, like the Carpenters in the '70s?"I asked, to which Brent replied, "We were thinking more like Donnie & Marie"). Should be fun!
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: With Dan Choi
I overheard Mike Ruiz defending "The A-List" to another journalist on the line, so when he got to me, I made a point of saying that he was by far the most "likable" person on the series. Keeping completely in character, he was quick to compliment his fellow cast members for bringing "excitement" to the show and "making it a hit." He said it was because of them that he has a bigger platform to do the things he wants -- and that a show just about him would be boring. When I mentioned that the episode that featured him and his father in a rather moving scene was anything but boring, he smiled and said he had gotten so much feedback from that most unexpected moment. When I mentioned that his dad was giving Maggie Griffin a run for her money as "most beloved reality-television parent," he said he had been saying the exact same thing!
David Bromstad of HGTV’s "Color Splash" was as sweet as he is on TV, although shockingly thin in person
The Gay Divorcee: With GLAAD President Jared Barrios
Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen
With Jesse Archer, who lovingly referred to me as a "featured extra" in his latest flick
The Replacement Housewive: Cindy Barshop joins NYC this season
With new friends Kristina (right) of Cherry Grrl and her lovely fiancee, Nichole 
5 comments:
Great blog, wish I could've been there. I was wondering if I could use one of your photos, I would love to use your photo with Brent & Josh. I co-run their fan page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beek-Geeks/162970230380471) and currently have very few images from the GLAAD OUTAuction. I'll give appropriate photo credit, of course. And link it to your blog. Just let me know, thank you.
-Amy
Of course you can, Amy. I also have others at home. E-mail me directly HERE.
Walsh, definitively you looks great at any kind of event. You´re a real man for any type of A-list
How must an editor of blog dress in New York?
Kenneth Walsh is the answer!
I saw you there. It was actually a classier event, and crowd, than last year (with all these lowlifes), but it was still tacky how they ran out of food. And that Lepore character? Ugh. And all that snobbery with the bracelets. The "art" was awful beyond belief. I never stay long at stuff like that. Most of the guys I've spoken to were disappointed, and that's why this Auction event takes in less and less each year. (But at least some real photos were being taken, without the constant Tyvek insulation background).
Man, could couple not get along more than those Beekman "boys".
Their little hate-fest is too uncomfortable to watch for me. It makes you wonder if they even like each other a little.
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