On the Red Carpet at the 79th Annual Academy Awards

By Scott Huver

As I settled in to position on the red carpet at the 79th Annual Academy Awards for what seemed to be my umpteenth time reporting on Hollywood’s ultimate horserace, I wondered if I was on the brink of becoming jaded. Then I found a tall, pale, impossibly beautiful creature standing before me.

Academy Award presenter Nicole Kidman arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

Nicole Kidman, ravishing in red Balenciaga, told us that as a presenter, and not a nominee, she would not be going overboard on the after parties. “I’m not celebrating—just playing – with my husband,” she said, confirming that Keith Urban was someone nearby. Nicole’s best gal pal Naomi Watts, in soft yellow Escada, was being ultra-coy about whether she and Liev Schreiber were or were not on the parent-track. She had lost track of her BFF Nicole but knew they’d reunite on the Oscar party trail. “We’ve lost each other here, but we’ll find each other again!” Naomi told Hollywood.com

Kate Winslet looked utterly serene as she passed by, telling Hollywood.com in her pale green Valentino that pre-Oscar nerves had not gotten to her yet: “I actually feel very relaxed now, which is fine with me.” The secret behind her dress? “I loved the color,” she revealed. “My daughter picked it out.”

Oscar® winning Academy Award presenter Gwyneth Paltrow arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood,

Gwyneth Paltrow made up for her Brunhilda-esque Oscar disaster a few years back by looking perfect in Posen—Zac Posen. “I just saw it and I fell in love with it,” she revealed.

Adriana Barraza was far less centered, despite outward appearances, when we asked how she had stayed so calm at Oscar time, “No – I’m NOT calm! No, no, no!” she proclaimed, then gave us a tidbit of bio on her bling. “My necklace is Damiani,” she explained. “The first time someone wore this, it was Sophia Loren, and the second time it’s Adriana Barraza!”

Why did Queen Latifah encase herself in corseted Carmen Marc Valvo? “Because I feel like a natural WHOA-man in it,” she exclaimed.

Rinko Kikuchi, Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her work in "Brokeback Mountain," arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, Febru

While Penelope Cruz told a Spanish speaking reporter in Spanish that she would soon be starring in a music video for her brother, an up-and-coming a musician, I asked Mark Wahlberg whether he was more nervous for himself or for The Departed director Martin Scorsese? “Marty!” was Mark’s definitive reply.

Jada Pinkett Smith explained that she had her hands full in the morning wrangling both Will and Jaden Christopher Smith. Meanwhile, her thoughts wandered to her golden gown as her hubby worked the red carpet: “I l love that it’s sexy, I love that it’s elegant, and I love that it’s Carolina Herrera.”

Academy Award presenter Cameron Diaz arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

So what was the allure of a Valentino Couture and Cartier earrings for A-lister Cameron Diaz? “It was sort of glamorous, Hollywood and couture classic, and that’s what I wanted,” said George Clooney as basked in the attention again

Who was John Travolta rooting for? “Forest Whitaker– he’s my man!” exclaimed the Pulp Fiction as his leopard print-clad wife Kelly Preston talked up her outfit: “My husband bought it for me for Christmas, and I was waiting for something special to wear it to. I thought not too many people wear leopard to the Oscars.” She definitely was letting her inner animal out: “I feel wild—Grrowwll!”

Catherine Deneuve arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

Catherine Deneuve told Hollywood.com that she was thrilled by this year’s theme of diversity among the nominees, but that the best part of the ceremony was “to be there—to be there at the party!”

The Queen’s Michael Sheen who played Tony Blair to Helen Mirren’s Queen Elizabeth, was feeling the pressure for his co-star. “I’ve seen Helen more this week than I did when we made the film, which is lovely,” he explained. “Everybody says she’s a lock for it. It’s difficult. I think everyone else is going, ‘Don’t worry about it, you’re fine.’ But she’s kind of a bit nervous, actually.”

Academy Award presenter Jessica Biel arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

A parade of fashionable starlets sauntered by, including Anne Hathaway in—wait for it--Valentino, Isla Fisher in emerald green Escada and Jessica Biel in a bright fuschia number that showed off her fit form, even though she had other reasons for picking it. “The color!” she beamed. “How could you not love this color?”

I promised Jackie Earle Haley—in gun metal Hugo Boss complete with ‘80s-esque skinny tie—that he wouldn’t have to drive me home from the Oscars as he had the Golden Globes, and he breathed easier, focusing on the bigness of the Oscar ceremony. The comeback kid said it was all he imagined and “ten times more. The red carpet was like wow! I didn't know that you could block off an entire street and throw a red carpet down on it. I didn't know that they did that. This is wild.”

The man in charge of shutting down the streets was Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaragosa, who a) ticked off his choices: “I'm rooting for Forest Whitaker. I'm rooting for The Departed, I'm rooting for Helen Mirren and I'm rooting for Alejandro [Gonzalez Inarritu]”; and b) insinuated that if his favorites didn’t win he’d shut the whole ceremony down. “That's what we can do!” said the city’s top official.

Previous Oscar-winner Paul Haggis, last year’s champ for writing and directing Crash said he was surprised that he had become something of a fixture at the awards. “If I got a ticket to the Oscars once in my life I would've been thrilled, but to have been nominated three years in a row? I couldn't have possibly imagined that.”

Leonardo DiCaprio, Academy Award nominee for Best Actor for his work in "The Departed," arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

Leonardo DiCaprio blew past most of the photographers and press but stopped in his tracks when a young boy and his father asked him for an autograph. Leo happily signed the boy’s pad and shook his hand before continuing into the Kodak Theater – the boy and his dad did high fives as soon as Leo was out of sight.

As she tried to shout the name of her client’s designer to reporters, Reese Witherspoon’s publicist stepped on the train of the Marcessa gown. Reese was stopped dead in her tracks and nearly walked out of the dress, but giggled after she realized what happened.

Clint Eastwood (in sunglasses) sneaked up on Quincy Jones (on the arm of his daughter Rashida—Karen on The Office) to give him a great big hug. Forest Whitaker would have missed Quincy if it wasn’t for his wife, who caught sight of Quincy’s date and made sure her hubby didn’t slip past without taking a moment to chat up the music legend.

Abigail Breslin, Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her work in "Little Miss Sunshine," arrives at the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, F

Just a few moments later, Martin Scorsese found himself face-to-face with his “competition,” The Queen’s Stephen Frears. “Ah, Stephen!” he exclaimed with excitement and a bit of relief to see a friendly face—they clasped hands and talked warmly, eventually embracing and whispering into each other’s ears.

Random observations: Star Trek actor George Takei walked the red carpet in traditional Japanese garb. So did Ken Watanabe’s wife.

And as Abigail Breslin’s mother zipped by toting her daughter’s lucky Curious George doll, I realized that for every Abigail and Jaden Smith on their first-ever Oscars red carpet, there were just as many regulars like me—not to mention the war-weary veterans of Hollywood who still showed up for one more round, like Mickey Rooney and Jane Russell. Still, no matter if it was your first or your 50th, one thing was certain: there’s never a dull moment on the red carpet.

King of Pop to Appear at WMAs

LONDON - Michael Jackson is set to make a rare public appearance at the World Music Awards in London next month, organizers recently announced.

Having sold more than 100 million albums, the forlorn king of pop will receive a Diamond Award at the industry ceremony.

WMA founder Melissa Corken said “We are thrilled to be bringing the World Music Awards to London, the music capital of the world," quickly adding "the presence of Michael Jackson is very exciting for us."

Jackson went into reclusion after his acquittal from child molestation charges in June of last year. He left the United States soon after and has spent time in Bahrain and Ireland.

The World Music Awards were held in Monaco for 15 years before moving to the United States in 2004 and 2005. This year's event at London's Earls Court Arena is to be hosted by Lindsay Lohan, with performances from Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Katie Melua and Andrea Bocelli.

Previous recipients of the Diamond Award include Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

The World Music Awards was founded in 1989 as an international awards show that annually honors recording artists based on their popularity, and worldwide sales figures, which are provided by the various organizations including record companies and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

The awards show is conducted under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, Monte Carlo. Until 2003 the show was conducted in Monte Carlo.

The 2004 show was held in Las Vegas (USA) on September 15. The 2005 show was held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California with simultaneous broadcasts to North and South America, Australia, Japan and South East Asia, all of mainland China, New Zealand, all of Africa and the Middle East, and all of Europe, reaching an estimated worldwide audience of one billion viewers, in over 160 countries.

John Martinotti is an executive producer and co-founder of the show.

Proceeds from the show go to the Monaco Aide and Presence Foundation, which assist underdeveloped areas mainly in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Brazil.

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) televised the show in the US on September 13, 2005 with featured appearances by many American and Latino pp stars such as Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Michelle Branch, Stevie Wonder, Kid Rock, Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.

Last year’s show also featured Patti LaBelle, Kid Rock, and Stevie Wonder performing songs dedicated to honoring the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Based on the WMA website, "The World's best-selling recording-artists in the various categories are determined after a thorough research conducted by the organization on record certifications and record company sales figures"

The national member associations of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is the organization that provides the World music organization with the names of their overall best-selling artists and groups.

Each year, the WMS awards the best selling artist from each major country.

Legend Awards are given to artists "in recognition of their global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry". Past winners include Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Modern Talking, Ace of Base, Diana Ross, Julio Iglesias, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Cher, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Whitney Houston, Prince, Janet Jackson, Carlos Santana and Rock Bond Scorpions.

The Chopard Diamond World Music Award is a new award, given to artists who have sold over 100 million albums over the course of their careers. Past winners are Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Bon Jovi.

Apart from the world's best-selling artists in the various categories and the national best-selling artists, special millennium awards for the world’s best selling recording artist of all time were presented in 2000 to Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey in the male and female categories respectively.

To date, Mariah Carey has received 16 World Music Awards, the most WMAs for any recording artist, followed closely by Michael Jackson with 14 awards.

Tom Cruise, Paramount And Hollywood Power’s Shift, And Now Hedge Funds

Until the 1950’s, Hollywood was controlled by seven major motion picture studios. More importantly it was controlled by moguls, all of whom were men they of eastern European descent, who ruled the studio in the same way that the kings of their previous countries ruled the peasants. Creative control belonged to the mogul, while the money was always controlled by the New York bankers, the so-called “Suits”.

This power alignment began with the beginning of Hollywood prior to 1920, and continued for 40 plus years. What held it intact was the caste system, whereby the stars were controlled by individual studios. They were paid on a yearly basis, and had no say whatsoever in the movies they would appear in. In essence they were slaves to the system, not very different from how baseball players were handled until the Supreme Court outlawed career-long captive players.

The Hollywood caste system began to crack in the 1950’s, when Kirk Douglas, the father of Michael Douglas went independent, and formed one of the first independent film companies called Bryna, for his mother. They produced the “Vikings”, “Spartacus”, and “Seven Days in May”. The so called Studio system was now dead. Power shifted to the individual actors, who became BRAND NAMES in their own right.

Two developments began in the 1960’s. The Hollywood studios would be taken over by corporations, and then reacquired by giant multinational corporations seeking world-wide influence. The second development was that the stars began to exercise their power. Giant multinationals like Sony, Newscorp, and Viacom hated the fact that stars had so much power. In the last ten years, A-List actors like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Robert Redford started to receive profit participations, which the studios only gave begrudgingly.

At first it didn’t matter because Hollywood accounting is such that somehow the studios could always show a loss on the movie. The stars got wise to that very quickly, and started taking front end participations, a percentage of the ticket when movie goers bought their tickets. In my 35 years on Wall Street, I participated in financing many movies, and I have to tell you that nobody ever made money on the backend. No matter how big the movie, somehow the movie always lost money when it came to the backend participations.

We have now reached a point where the giant multinationals that control media on a world wide basis are fed up with what they are putting up with on behalf of brand name stars. Mel Gibson as you know has run into trouble on the West Coast with his drinking, and purported anti-Semitic remarks resulting in Disney canceling a Holocaust series with Gibson’s production company.

Now Tom Cruise has had a falling out with Sumner Redstone, and Viacom. Publicly Redstone has stated he doesn’t like some of Cruise’s actions in the last year. This doesn’t make sense. Normally when a studio breaks with a star, there is no public statement. None is required to be given, and they just part ways. This is more personal.

It is rumored that Viacom had offered Cruise a $2 million production deal, down from $4 million in the previous deal, plus a $6 million fund for the development of movie projects. Here’s the real deal. Tom Cruise did “Mission Impossible III” for Viacom, the movie grosses near $400 million world-wide. Cruise had negotiated as a fee, 25% of Viacom’s gross revenue on the movie.

This is the way it works. The movie does $400 million. The theaters get half, and Viacom gets half, that’s $200 million apiece. Cruise gets 25% of Viacom’s half, that’s $50 million. In the end Viacom gets $150 million, and Cruise gets $50 million. Sounds great for Viacom doesn’t it. Not really, Viacom must pay for the movie which had to be $150 million plus advertising. Viacom gets zero, and Cruise still gets $50 million. This is why Sumner Redstone of Viacom is annoyed, and Cruise is sitting on top of the world.

In the end Redstone will last laugh, why you ask? There’s still Hollywood accounting to deal with. Remember that all the original Hollywood studios were sold off into the hands of multinational corporations (MNC’s). Do you really think the MNC’s bought the studios for the theater gross? Absolutely not. In reality movie ticket sales represent a third of a movie’s earnings power. Viacom can lose money on a picture, and still make a fortune on DVD sales (a third), and future television and cable rights (a third).

The MNC’s have never shared profits on these other two-thirds of the revenue, and they never will. They refuse to even discuss it, and the numbers are buried deep in the corporation’s financial statements. They are never broken out, and they are kept secret. Viacom has made, and will make hundreds of millions of dollars on Mission Impossible III.

Redstone got fed up and threw Cruise off the lot. There are now statements being made by Cruise’s production partner Paula Wagner. She says that Cruise is raising $200 million from hedge funds to fund Cruise’s future projects. Wait until these Wall Street hedge fund types learn about Hollywood accounting. They are going to lose their shirts funding movies. This is not an industry that Wall Street should want to get involved with. Losing your shirt is one thing, but not even knowing that you have lost it until you are standing naked in the street is quite another.