NEWSStars Take D.C.
May 2 2011, Published 1:03 p.m. ET
Matthew Morrison had it right when he predicted “lots of drama will unfold” on his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held Saturday at the Washington Hilton.
Flanked by bodyguards and joined by wife Melania, Donald Trump tells reporters he is “making a point” by attending the event that also hosts Sean Penn, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, David Arquette, America Ferrera, Chace Crawford, SNL stars, Chris Colfer, Russell Simmons, Lala Vazquez and Carmelo Anthony, Paula Abdul, Bristol Palin, Brooke Burke, John Legend, Dr. Oz, Brian Williams, Cee-Lo Green, Joan Rivers, Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin, Mira Sorvino - and many more.
Mila Kunis shrieks when she bumps into Bill Hader and Andy Samberg on her way into the gala.
“This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done,” the Black Swan star says. “I’ve wanted to come for many a year. I feel very lucky. I’m so excited!”
David jokes “no drinks for me!” when asked about his lobbying style with his work on behalf of the Creative Coalition. (He’s right: The recently-rehabbed actor drank only water Friday at Eden Lounge.)
Celebs and politicians alike enjoy the event hosted by Seth Meyers before making their way through a sea of protesters waiting outside.
While guests including Scarlett, Sean, Bradley, Salma Hayek and Amy Poehler hit the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair Cocktail Reception at the French ambassador’s home, David, Chris, Jeremy Piven, Jason Biggs, Michelle Trachtenberg, Alyssa Milano and Cheryl Hines head to Capitol File magazine, Bing and Creative Coalitions ’s WHCAD afterparty held at the Ronald Reagan Building.
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“I’m extremely passionate about the Creative Coalition,” David says. “The arts are important to me and this is what I’m focused on right now.”
Jason calls his favorite sightings President Obama and Donald Trump.
“I give Trump credit for showing up,” Jason tells me.
Cheryl enjoyed Obama’s comedy routine.
“He made a lot of jokes about his birth certificate, and he said for the first time ever, he was going to show a clip from when he was born, and it was a clip from The Lion King,” she explains to me. “It was funny. It was great. It’s great. It reminds you that he’s human and one of us. It’s nice that he has a sense of humor.”
Michelle works the room, telling Jeremy “you look so much hotter in person.” She jokes to Chris, “trust me, standing next to me, you’ll look like the tannest person in the room.” (Flirt alert! She cozies up to Mekhi Phifer at Eden on Friday.)
Patricia Arquette tells Alyssa that she and brother David were honored to attend the political event. “Our mother would be so proud of us,” she says, getting choked up.
Meanwhile, Meghan McCain and Real Housewives of D.C. star Mary Schmidt Amons lock into conversation in the VIP room, but the reality star didn’t have an invitation to the actual event. Instead, she got dressed on the train from NYC where she was taking meetings.
“Changing in the train bathroom was fine with me - I’m really good at it,” she tells me. “I think having as many children as I do teaches you to be really flexible, and a trouble-shooter. You just have to make things come together the best you can. I took my time. It was a very civilized exercise.”
The stars call it a night, and take home the parting gift of a Crumbs cupcake. Mmm!
