December 30, 2006

Perplexed by Paparazzi

Aspen was once a town where the likes of Jack Nicholson, Jennifer Lopez or Mariah Carey could walk around town unrecognized, and local retailers say paparazzi are ruining it.

A recent visit from Seal turned into a punch-up, and a number of recent incidents have some locals riled as well.

"I'm embarrassed of our community," said Ricki McHugh, owner of McHugh Antiques on Aspen Square. Her store was overrun last week by paparazzi chasing Seal's wife, Heidi Klum. A visit from Jennifer Lopez earlier this week forced her to batten down the hatches against an aggressive mob of photographers.

J-Lo first visited McHugh Antiques on Thursday morning without incident, but when the star and entourage came back in the afternoon, the paparazzi pounced.

"The second time she came back, she was literally being chased down the street," McHugh said. The star eventually slipped behind closed doors and hid behind a painting in McHugh's shop. Photographers took pictures of the flustered star through the store window before she could escape to an awaiting car.

"This town has never been abused by the paparazzi like it is now," McHugh said. "It is embarrassing as a community to have people come to enjoy this beautiful place be harassed."

Read the rest HERE.

No comments: