What film won first place?” Rick Hilton inquired as he and his wife Kathy Hilton approached the opulent line for Vanity Fair’s 30th anniversary Oscar celebration in Beverly Hills. Kathy mentioned they asked their son, but he wasn’t aware. Fortunately, a man in front of them had the answer. He stated, “It was Oppenheimer,” neglecting to mention the awkwardness of Al Pacino’s best picture announcement. Some information could be saved for Monday morning. There were also more quick-fire questions to answer.
Which film is that? Is it based on a true story? Who was the emcee?
“Oh, Jimmy Kimmel,” Rick commented with a smile during a realistic moment—after all, who doesn’t love Jimmy Kimmel? And who doesn’t enjoy Vanity Fair’s annual Academy Awards celebration? While in past years it may have suffered from an excess of suits or influencers, or faced tough competition from party couples like Madonna and Guy Oseary or Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Vanity Fair remɑins unparalleled in attracting the largest concentration of A-list celebrities outside of the Dolby Theatre in 2024. It seemed the guest list traded some TikTokers for a return to its roots, including actors, auteurs, models, studio executives, and moguls alike. Perhaps it was due to the milestone.
Oh, and sports stars too, notably LeBron James, who mingled with Rich Paul, Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Lakers friend Anthony Davis. Tennis legends Serena Williams and Roger Federer were spotted, along with Russell Wilson and Ciara, Odell Beckham Jr., and Kim Kardashian, whose sisters Kendall and Kylie and mother Kris Jenner represented the Calabasas clan.
Now back to the Hiltons. As The Hollywood Reporter arrived on the opulent 125-foot red carpet, a few dozen celebrities awaited at the step-and-repeat. Lizzo, sporting a fresh springtime hairstyle she called “the bob is bobbing,” was behind the Hiltons when Sandra Hüller and her entourage arrived. Shortly after, Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked, grabbed Sandra’s hand and led her to a stanchion, declaring, “I am steɑling her” for an on-camera discussion.
Meanwhile, Kristie Macosko Krieger overheard Steven Spielberg asking for no photos as he slipped behind the wall of photographers. Despite his considerable screen time during the broadcast, the director had second thoughts upon entering the specially built Basil Walter and Will Cooper building. He bumped into Radhika Jones, editor-in-chief of VF, and engaged in conversation with his daughter Jessica Capshaw. He even posed with Celine Song while holding an In-N-Out burger. Attending the Vanity Fair party is always a star-studded experience with boldfaced names at every turn.
Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth debated with Endeavor’s Patrick Whitesell, while Emily Blunt and John Krasinski mingled nearby. Two-time Oscar winner Finneas and Melissa McCarthy conferred, while NBA MVP Russell Westbrook strolled by. Beck mingled with Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow.
Around the corner, Federer and his wife fended off an odd approach from an unidentified TV personality. Bill Maher enjoyed a cigar while John Waters chatted with Jodie Foster. J.J. Abrams mingled with CAA’s Maha Dakhil, and Julia Fox and Emma Thomas crossed paths, the latter holding her Oscar below her waist. Maggie Rogers nearly tripped over Camila Mendes’s dress train. Catherine O’Hara and her husband explained, “It’s our annual tradition,” as they queued for the picture booth. The Haim sisters rushed to the dance floor, but Allison Williams stopped them for a group hug. Jon Hamm performed a movie to Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” remix, featuring the late Dirty Bɑstard, after hearing a few songs.
Then Kylie Minogue arrived. Praised for giving gɑy people an incredible surprise by joining Madonna onstage for The Celebration Tour at Kia Forum, she said, “It’s been a big week.” Minogue listed the reasons why the past three days had been amazing, from winning a worldwide icon award at the Brit Awards in London to performing with Madge and playing a gig in Las Vegas at Voltaire at the Venetian. “There was incredible energy in Las Vegas,” she said. “The audience was the best.” And this week, I’m returning for two more dates.
Speaking of energetic gatherings, Billie Eilish, the youngest recipient of two Oscars, was surrounded by people wherever she went. Jeffrey Wright and Babyface, Sydney Sweeney, Camila Cabello, and Maude Apatow were among her company, along with Ramy Youssef. By the end of the evening, an unidentified female romantic interest was holding Eilish’s hand as they navigated the crowd. For couples, Sunday was a significant night. Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter remained close throughout the evening, looking every bit the infatuated couple. Cabello was seen leaving with Cinderella
