Music, film celebs mix it up
2007-12-03 19:23
Los Angeles - It looked a collision between the Grammys and the Oscars - Jennifer Lopez, Tony Bennett, Charlize Theron, Quentin Tarantino, Beyonce, Usher and dozens of other stars at the Kodak Theatre.
The Kodak normally hosts the Academy Awards, but Sunday night's occasion was "Movies Rock," a special program honoring the enduring relationship between music and film.
"Music and movies have lasted longer than any marriage in Hollywood," Theron quipped backstage, where the action was almost as exciting as the performances.
All eyes were on a very pregnant Lopez, who glowed in a white Grecian goddess gown as she opened and closed the show. Hairstylist-to-the-stars Ken Paves fluffed the star's curls as she stood in the wings watching Beyonce sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
Lopez's husband, Marc Anthony, also appeared on the program. The couple reunited backstage, where Anthony lovingly rubbed his wife's belly.
Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am congratulated the pair on his way to the stage.
"Can I touch it?" he asked as he reached a hand toward her tummy.
John Legend also ran into Lopez, telling her, "You look good."
Fergie and her beau, actor Josh Duhamel, were another couple act on the show: he presented, she performed. Her rendition of the James Bond tune "Live and Let Die," during which she flew through the air circus-style, brought the audience to its feet.
"I got a standing ovation," she said excitedly backstage. "That was crazy."
The crowd was generous with its praise throughout the night, standing to applaud Usher's version of "Singin' in the Rain," Chris Brown's dance-fueled rendition of "Jailhouse Rock" and the mash-up of will.i.am, Busta Rhymes, Eve and LL Cool J singing Isaac Hayes' theme from "Shaft."
"You know you've got something special when the show gets 10 standing ovations," said executive producer Richard Beckman, president of Conde Nast Media Group, which put on the program as a West Coast companion to its New York-based "Fashion Rocks" show.
The stars weren't shy with their admiration either. Tarantino, who introduced the "Shaft" number, saluted the four performers backstage.
"Good job, good job," he said as he shook Rhymes' hand.
"I'd do it again," Eve said.
LL Cool J complimented Usher on his modern Gene Kelly moves, telling him, "I loved it." Legend, who sang "As Time Goes By" with Mary J. Blige, was glued to a screen in the green room while Fergie performed.
Other highlights included Jennifer Hudson singing "Somewhere" from "West Side Story," Queen Latifah's performance of "Big Spender" and Carrie Underwood's rendition of "The Sound of Music".
- AP