Buying A-list celebrity treatment

PARIS, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- In France, ordinary people can hire a service that provides all the trappings of celebrity -- including bodyguards and screaming fans.

Soiree de Star, or Evening of a Star, offers a range of services based on being an A-list celebrity to being an E-list celebrity, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

For example, for about $350 a person can get E-list treatment that includes chauffeur-driven car, a bodyguard, a security van and a VIP reservation at one of Paris's top nightspots.

However, for a little more than $4,000 a night, a person can get A-list treatment -- including a six-person limousine, a bodyguard, four hysterical fans, three VIP reservations, optional helicopter ride, a television cameraman and paparazzi on motorbikes who will chase you through the streets of either Paris, Nice, Barcelona or Madrid.

"The motorbike paparazzi are less popular because of Princess Diana," explains David Benguigui, the co-founder of Soiree de Star.

I'll be out of town for two weeks, so ShootFirst will try and fill in for a bit.

Catch ya'll later.

Da Freak

Paparazzi Speak Out on Britney Spears Baby Driving Scandal

Britney Spears at first blamed photographers for her disastrous decision on Monday when she was snapped cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway with baby Sean Preston on her lap. The pictures soon caused a 'driving with baby' scandal and Brit finally apologized.

But what about the paparazzi - what's their story?

The American tabloid, 'The Star' gives the account from one paparazzo:

Frank Rohmer, the owner of the X17 photo agency that snapped the singer and her son leaving a Starbuck's near her Malibu home, is amused by the explanation.

"George Spaly, who took the pictures, was not aggressive, nor did he pose any sort of threat to Britney or her baby. In fact, Britney and George have known each other for several years. She smiled and talked to George after arriving at the Starbuck's. Britney asked George not to take pictures of her and the baby at the Starbuck's and he agreed. In fact, on this particular afternoon at 1 p.m., it was so quiet that another bodyguard following in a car behind Britney's left shortly after arriving at the Starbuck's."

***

Once Britney and her bodyguards had their drinks, she reportedly switched seats with one bodyguard and drove off with Sean Preston plopped in her lap.

"She had her right hand on the wheel and her other hand apparently holding her kid. That's when George started shooting. He kept a respectable distance."

But in defense of his agency's lucrative subjects, Rohmer suspects Britney, "just wasn't thinking."

"It's quite possible that Britney and Kevin hadn't gotten to installing the child car seat in the back. Not that that's any sort of excuse," he told the Star.

Indeed it's not.

And this side of the story is a far cry from Brit's initial claim that she feared for the baby from the imposing paparazzi.

From NationalLedger.com

DID HEIDI KLUM FLIP OFF THE PHOTOGRAPHERS?

This is from her arriving at Letterman today....

Hhhmmm.... at least she was all smiles.

Let the rumors begin!

VERSACE STORE OPENING- Hollywood In NYC

VERSACE STORE OPENING
February 7, 2006

It seemed like no one knew what to expect for this store opening. The buzz was Halle Berry was going to make an appearance. It was 35 degrees, outdoor arrival area, and 35 photographers and video crews trying to fit is space for maybe 20 people. It didn't look good....

Just prior to arrivals, security set up another press area across from the first press pen. Three photographers were quietly escorted to the new area, followed by a mad dash by another 10+ all looking for a spot. In the end, we wound up 20 on one side, 15 on the other.

The Versace PR then hands us tip sheet, that which rivals a Peggy Segal list. A lot of big names and big promises, but will they deliver?

Well.... I guess it's all in how you look at it. Halle Berry was there but did not pose outside. But in turn we got Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Naomi Campbell, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Cage, Cindy Crawford, Hilary Duff, Heather Graham, Claire Danes and Karolina Kurkova to name few. AND... everyone was in good fashion AND posed outside without their coats off AND the PR MADE SURE WE GOT THE SHOT! At one point Heather Graham only posed for one side... and the PR went into the store AND BROUGHT HER OUT FOR MORE PHOTOS!

It was like a dream... a beautiful happy dream.

Did Britney Spears Endanger Sean Preston Fleeing Paparazzi?

Pop-Tart and new mother Britney Spears is absorbing the darts of criticsm this morning after some observers say she may have put her son in danger by driving down the Pacific Coast Highway [PCH] with baby Sean Preston on her lap.

Pictures of the event were quickly posted on the internet. Is Kevin Federline ever around for anything other than to make babies with Brit?

According to People magazine, a source close to our favorite Pop-Tart explained that the 'Toxic' singer drove to Starbucks with her bodyguard in the passenger seat, and son Sean Preston in his car seat in the back. When the bodyguard went into the store to get the beverages, Britney took Sean out of his car seat and held him in her lap while she waited. Photographers reportedly approached the car in an agressive fashion, says the source. Once her bodyguard climbed back into the car, Britney Spears drove away while still holding her son.

The Britney Spears spin machine went into action imediately: "Today I had a horrifying, frightful encounter with the paparazzi while I was with my baby .... I was terrified that this time the physically aggressive paparazzi would put both me and my baby in danger. I instinctively took measures to get my baby and me out of harm's way, but the paparazzi continued to stalk us, and took photos of us which were sold to the media. I love my child and would do anything to protect him."

Living in Malibu myself for over a year, I have witnessed first hand the aggressive paparazzi tactics. However, what exactly could they have done to make Britney so worried?

Something isn't right about this story though. The Paparazzi say they followed her for 2 miles on PCH and she was not just "fleeing" as she claims. However, she's in the vehicle in these pictures with no seatbelt with her bodyguard seated next to her. I don't buy that Britters was actually that dumb. No one is that stupid. Well, then again, she did get married to the Federjerk.

-- Compiled from wire reports

Reese Witherspoon's Paparazzi Attacker Found Dead

The photographer who was charged with child endangerment and battery after attempting to photograph Reese Witherspoon has been found dead at his Californian home.

The Oscar nominated actress was with her children and their friends for a birthday celebration at a Disney theme park when the attack occurred.

While Witherspoon and the children were enjoying her daughter Ava’s sixth birthday, photographer Todd Wallace tried to take pictures of them.

When they desisted, Wallace became angry and went so far as to knock down and hit two children in his bid to get a picture.

Wallace even turned on theme park employees after they tried to restrain him leaving the children attending the birthday party in tears.

He was charged with six misdemeanour offences but pleaded innocent in October, reports Ananova.

When Wallace failed to turn up for a bail hearing in December a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Friends of the unstable photographer found his body but his identity was not confirmed due the state of his body…tests should prove that the dead man is Wallace.

HATCHER BETS ON PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Actress TERI HATCHER organised an impromptu bet on the set of a new TV commercial after paparazzi caught her stumbling while filming.

The DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star was shooting an ad for Clairol hair colour and had to walk a dog through a park and tripped on the exposed roots of a tree.

But when she realised paparazzi were focusing on her, she knew the trip would make headlines and decided to have fun with her film crew.

She says, "We're out in a park in Beverly Hills on a Saturday and there are 300 fans and twice as many paparazzi. I'm doing this thing and tripping and in one of the takes I tripped a little farther and went down to the ground.

"I just looked up at the director and said, 'That's the shot.'

"I literally said, on the set, 'Everybody write down what the headline's going to be and we'll have a pool, and whoever gets closest will win.'

"Sure enough, they came up with 'Teri Takes A Walk On The Wild Side' and wrote that I had a new job as a dog walker. Yeah, thing's are not going too well on Desperate Housewives!"

Pretty in PINK

Pink Panther Premiere
Ziefeld Theater

Where are all these people coming from? Both in front of the barricades and behind.

There were over 50 shooters at this premiere, stacked 3 to 4 rows deep. Lot of new faces in the pen ...and we were packed tight today. At least we were tented.

And man... those publicists are getting worse. Standing between the photographers and talent, not having their talent pose correctly (not bouncing around like a terets patient).

And god forbid we yell for his Royal Highness Steve Martin. He wouldn't pose because we were yelling. Awwww...did we hurt his feeling.

Meanwhile, Beyonce poses up a storm and gives us everything you could want. Yelling and all.

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Flee the UK Paparazzi for California?

The UN power couple of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reportedly purchased a home in Washington, DC and now reports are that Angie has sold her Buckinghamshire mansion in the UK.

The reason, according to Page Six is to flee the British paparazzi as Angie was freaked out by their aggressive behavior. So - where will the globe-trotting couple raise their kids? Berlin, in the South of France?

Apparently not a report says they are headed back to the Golden State. That's right - back to California.

Good choice - there are no photographers there.

Page Six gives this dish:

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt won't be raising their kids in the English countryside. Jolie has sold her huge Buckinghamshire mansion because she was creeped out after photographers snuck onto the grounds last year and snapped her playing with Pitt and son Maddox.

The London Mirror reports the two are now in talks with German architects Lars Kruckeberg, Wolf ram Putz and Thomas Willemeit to design their perfect California dream house.

***

Us Weekly has hinted the pair still could settle out of the US. The American tabloid claims that France and Rome are on the house-hunting list.

And earlier reports have placed the couple in the South of France for the reason hinted in the Page Six story, to flee the press.

Best bet. Southern California - and Washington DC.

Sean Penn Scuffles with Paparazzi at Brother's Funeral

(AXcess News) Reno, NV - Actor Sean Penn, 45, became irate with a paparrazi at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Calif. yesterday during the funeral of his actor brother, Chris Penn.

Apparently the photographer got too close for comfort for Sean when the actor became irate, attacking the paparazzi along with actor Mark Ruffalo, who snatched the memory card from the photographer's camera.

Many friends who turned out for Chris Penn's funeral shared their displeasure over the photographer's intrusion into a private family funeral.

"It was private property, it's a gated cemetery. That guy didn't belong there," said a friend. "It's disgusting that Sean couldn't bury his brother in peace."

Chris Penn was discovered lying in his bed January 24 by a housekeeper who called police. No cause of death has been determined. Foul play and suicide have been ruled out.

In 1987, Sean Penn was jailed for 32 days for assaulting a photographer while married to Madonna. Sean is now married to actress Robin Wright Penn.

Detroit 'OP' City

Here's a local Detroit paper's take of the paparazzi invasion because of the Super Bowl...

The first bribe offer reached Nicholas Graczyk within an hour of news reports that Paris and Nicky Hilton enjoyed some late-night cocktails at The Hill, the Grosse Pointe Farms restaurant he manages.

Graczyk declined that proposition and all others -- "There's been quite a few calls since then," he said -- to make some extra cash by alerting certain photographers if the Hiltons return to the eatery.

The offers come from a unique breed of photographers more than willing to shell out big money for tips about celebrities. They're the paparazzi, known for relentlessly pursuing stars to catch them in unguarded moments for candid photos to fill top-selling magazines including Us Weekly, Star and InTouch, not to mention the tabloids.

"Wherever there are celebrities, there's 'paps' working it," said Frank Griffin, founder of Bauer-Griffin photo agency in Los Angeles, which proudly declares itself a paparazzi agency. "You have to know there's lots of them (in Detroit) right now."

Read the rest HERE.

OPERATION LEDGER

They moved HERE to AVOID THE PAPARAZZI?!!
Looks like we have to get to work on these folks....

Sydney - Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger has put his Sydney harbourside house up for sale and intends to live in New York to get away from the paparazzi photographers he says have driven him out of Australia, news reports said Saturday.

Ledger brought the house in the beachside suburb of Bronte for 4.4 million Australian dollars (3.3 million US dollars) in 2004.

'Bronte is scaring me at the moment, ' Ledger was quoted as saying in The Sydney Morning Herald last year. 'I feel like the paparazzi are going to kick me out of that city. '

Ledger, the star of the acclaimed 'Brokeback Mountain ' feature film about a couple of gay cowboys, has had a troubled relationship with the media.

At the premiere of 'Brokeback Mountain ' in Sydney last month press photographers sprayed him with water pistols in retaliation for what they claimed was his spitting.

Ledger 's partner and 'Brokeback Mountain ' co-star Michelle Williams, the mother of his five-month-old daughter, also got a little wet on that occasion.

© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

PARKER LONGS TO MOVE TO LONDON TO ESCAPE PAPARAZZI

SEX AND THE CITY star SARAH JESSICA PARKER longs to live in peace in London, because the paparazzi in New York City drive her crazy.

Parker and her actor husband MATTHEW BRODERICK have discussed moving across the Atlantic, but they would miss their friends and family too much.

She says, "Matthew and I don't want to run around with our heads down. We can't move to London - everyone we know and love is here."

The couple have had trouble leaving their house and are hunted down by paparazzi wherever they go.

She says, "Sometimes I have to ask them (the paparazzi) to step out of the way just so I can get out of the house. Other times they'll say provocative things to try to get me to say a bad word on film."

Seeing RED in Bryant Park

Red Dress Fashion Show
Bryant Park

02/03/06

Well...if this is going to be the barometer for the rest of the week... heavy drinking will numb it all away.

The show started 50 minutes late, Lohan was surrounded by goons, struggles abound.

As Nicolas puts it: "I have that Fashion Week Gaze"... (staring blankly off into the distance in disbelief).

Zak was told he couldn't stand where the public was standing, was sent into the street where the police told him he couldn't stand there...and was sent back to where he was. (Do you see a circular pattern forming here?)
And as Zak puts it: "$75 for a credential that doesn't get me anything. But I can have all the free coffee and water I want in the tent!"

Jesse (who was hired to shoot backstage), left the tent and wasn't let back in. They won't even let you into the general tent without a pass.


Please share your war stories...it may be the only therapy we have!

Ms Watts, unaffected by fame and fortune

Hollywood beauty Naomi Watts has revealed that she is never recognised in public, because she looks so different from her movie roles.

After roles in Mulholland Drive, 21 Grams and King Kong, and an Oscar nomination last year (05), Watts insists she can still walk the streets in New York City unnoticed.

"(Fame) hasn't altered my life yet. The great, fortunate thing is that I never get recognised. I think I look very different on film that I do in real-life. In everyday life I am always surprised if anyone recognises me," she was quoted by Contactmusic,as saying.

"I have had the paparazzi finding out where I live and that's a bummer," she added.

Digital that looks like FILM??

kool little plugin that has numerous 'looks', both color and b&w, highly recommended...

the link is here to test run the demo...

LET HELL WEEK BEGIN...

IT'S FASHION WEEK!!!!
NO CRYING!!!

Here's a link to download the schedule- OLYMPUS FASHION WEEK.