The Magic Christian(s) - 16th Annual Movieguide Faith and Values Awards in Beverly Hills
That's Chanell, from Riverside County, who graciously let us photograph her tattoo last night at the Beverly Hilton. Causing the most commotion on the red carpet was Eduardo Verastequi, the star of "Bella," who would shortly walk off with The Grace Award for Most Inspirational Movie Acting in 2007. A small group of women in front of me swooned and reached for their cameras, grabbing him before he even made it on to the carpet and he graciously acquiesced. Hmm - this I had to follow. As I made my way into the swarm of photographers, one excited scribe whispered:
"He's the biggest star in Mexico - huge!"
Inside, Verastequi's film - in which he stars alongside Ali Landry, went on to sweep the Awards, aka "The Christian Oscars". The highlight of the press room was none other than Buzz Aldrin, there for "In the Shadow of the Moon." Elise jumped on her only chance to get up close and personal with an astronaut and quizzed Aldrin about the infamous "Was it a panel flying off or was it a UFO?" conspiracy theory and getting him to say "The Eagle has landed". Only a nonplussed Elise could ask Aldrin, "Didn't it freak you out? 'Cause I would betotally freaked out!" I guess our detour to Trader Vic's, although causing us to miss Macy Gray's "Amazing Grace," provided a little Polynesian liquid courage in the face of the notoriously easily-riled astronaut.
Eduardo Verastequi
Lou Gossett, Jr. and his charisma work the carpet
Buzz and Lois Aldrin
The Cast and Crew of "Bella"
The original Catwoman and Miss America - Lee Meriwether
Stephen Baldwin
Joel Stein of VH1 and the LA Times
Doc Burch's boots
All photos by Elise Thompson for LAist.