Will and Kate reign over Hollywood at BAFTA's 'Brits to Watch'

Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, expanded their domain to include Hollywood, sweeping some of its biggest movie stars off their feet Saturday evening in downtown Los Angeles.

BAFTA, the British film academy over which Prince William presides, hosted its uber-hyped "Brits to Watch" fete, welcoming emerging British artists and some of America's most treasured talent. 

The duchess, in McQueen, made a simple and stunning entrance with her husband on their first Hollywood red carpet. Crowds swelled outside the Belasco Theater for the event, which followed a successful day of polo for the pair. 

Nicole Kidman, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks were just a few of Tinseltown's royalty present for the occasion. 

Photos: Will and Kate, Day Two

Younger celebs including Chris Evans, Blake Lively, Ed Westwick, Juno Temple, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jessica Chastain were counted, as well as funnymen Paul Rudd and Judd Apatow, with wife Leslie Mann.

Though the two may be a bit conservative by Hollywood standards, they passed the shmoozing litmus test with flying colors. The duke had many a close conversation, including chats with Streisand and husband James Brolin, as well as Lopez. Kate warmed to Kidman and Garner, enjoying solo conversations while California wine and Grey Goose flowed.

Piers Morgan, an anchor from the newlyweds' homeland, summed it well: "In terms of pure star quality, William and Kate are the biggest stars in the world," he said.

Agreed.

"The impact they've had on Hollywood, which houses the biggest stars in the world, shows you that they are," Morgan added. 

One tidbit for the Ministry's devoted followers of Fabulous Parties: Kate and William sat at a well-appointed table with Kidman, Streisand and Brolin. 

Also spotted: Mary-Louise Parker, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Bateman, Jack Black and Kristin Chenoweth. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos, from top: Jennifer Lopez with Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; the newlyweds storm their first-ever Tinseltown red carpet. Credits: Matt Baron/ Associated Press; WireImage

Prince William and Kate to meet Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and more at BAFTA bash

This post has been corrected. See the note below for details.

Canada has given Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, among the finest that nation has to offer. So what is Hollywood going to hand over?

Movie stars, natch, with BAFTA's "Brits to Watch" event set deliver some of the best in the business to greet the newlywed royals Saturday at the Belasco in downtown L.A. William was named president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in February 2010.

Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony, Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks and Jack Black are rumored to have sent in RSVPs.

As have Kristen Chenoweth, Dana Delany, Ginnifer Goodwin and "Dancing With the Stars" pro Derek Hough, according to E! Online.

Will and Kate will travel from Santa Barbara's polo grounds on Saturday to downtown L.A.'s Belasco Theater for the event, which is to highlight emerging British talent in film. 

[For the record, 5:45 p.m. July 7: This post originally said the BAFTA event would be in Culver City; it will be held in downtown L.A., with the royals heading to Culver City on Sunday to participate in a hiring fair and service project for military veterans and their families.]

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Prince William and Catherine, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, wear the sweaters of the Canadian Rangers after being made honorary members on Tuesday near Blatchford Lake. Credit: Arthur Edwards / Getty Images

Academy of Country Music Awards: Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift bring red carpet glam

This post has been corrected. Please see the note below for details.

Country music crooners and honorees hit the red carpet for the 46th Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday. Among the guests at the ACMAs: Miranda Lambert, who was nominated for seven awards, including song and album of the year.

Nominees Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood   got all dolled up for the show, rocking Elie Saab and Jean Fares gowns, respectively.

Surfer Bethany Hamilton, the subject of the new film "Soul Surfer," arrived to present an award at the show. Underwood, who appears in the film, performed with "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler, whom she smooched onstage.

The show, which took place at Mandalay Bay and the MGM Grand simultaneously, was hosted by actress-singer Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton, who is engaged to Lambert. Click the pics to see who else got fancy on the red carpet.

Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman hit the red carpet, as did "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" actress Marg Helgenberger, "Gossip Girl's" Chace Crawford and former "Dancing With the Stars" dancer and country singer Julianne Hough.

Martina McBride, three-time winner in the academy's top female vocalist category, arrived in a Pamella Roland gown.

Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott, the members of Lady Antebellum, snagged several awards over the course of the evening. Sugarland members Kristian Bush and singer Jennifer Nettles, nominated for vocal duo of the year, performed during the ceremony.

For the record, 1:10 p.m. April 11: A previous version of this post misspelled Reba McEntire's last name as McIntyre.

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-- Nardine Saad
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Top photos: Miranda Lambert, left, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift arrive at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday. Credits: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press, left and center; Jason Merritt / Getty Images, right.

Right photo:  Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at the ACMAs. Credit: Sam Morris / Reuters

Spirit Awards: Aaron Eckhart's 'Rabbit Hole' director says, 'We're having a blast' [Video]

When it comes to the Oscar for actress in a lead role, many have predicted the race will come down to Natalie Portman and Annette Bening. Even John Cameron Mitchell, who directed Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole," admitted he doesn't think the actress has a good shot at winning.

"I think we're all kind of like, 'Don't worry about it,' " he said at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. "We're having a blast because we're not preparing any speeches."

A good time indeed: Cameron Mitchell said he'd been spending the weekend partying his cares away.

"I'm partying all weekend. You're never really hung over if you had a good time," he joked. "Tonight, I'm going to a soul dance party. I'm having a blast." (Click the pic of Kidman, right, for more photos from the red carpet.)

Presumably quite a change from the tone on set during production of "Rabbit Hole," which stars Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as a couple grieving the loss of their young son.

"It's tough material, you know, and we all understand that we're actors and we're trying to do something special," Eckhart said, "but there's always time for laughter and friendliness and cavorting, so we had a good time making the movie."

Despite the odds, will he still be rooting for his costar, also a Spirit Awards presenter and nominee?

"Absolutely," he said. "Number one."

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--Amy Kaufman

Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: Presenter and "Rabbit Hole" nominee Nicole Kidman arrives at the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 26, 2011. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler 'Just Go With It' at premiere

The stars of "Just Go With It" took to the blue carpet Tuesday for the premiere of the comedy starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

The funny people walked the media line at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York as a pair, fielding questions together, simultaneously interrupting each other and completing each other's sentences.

And why not? Aniston, 41, and Sandler, 44, have been friends since before his "Saturday Night Live" days, and she had a shot to join the show before she instead became Rachel Greene on "Friends."

In the film, Sandler plays a plastic surgeon who pretends to be married to woo women. But when "the one" discovers his fake wedding ring, he enlists his frumpy assistant, played by Aniston, to pose as his wife.

The aforementioned "one" is played by model Brooklyn Decker, who attended the premiere with hot tennis hubby Andy Roddick. (Click her pic for more photos from the premiere.)

Nicole Kidman, who plays Aniston's frenemy in the film, also attended with husband Keith Urban and movie husband Dave Matthews.

One thing we do know, Aniston can't do frumpy if she tried, even if she wears glasses and a ponytail. The Malibu fixture stunned in a simple strapless Dolce & Gabbana gown at the premiere. And Sandler traveled with his trusty companion: wife Jackie.

"Just Go With It" hits theaters Friday.

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photos: Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, top, attend the premiere of "Just Go With It" in New York on Feb. 8, 2011. Brooklyn Decker, right, is also in the film. Credit: Eric Thayer / Reuters

Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban have a baby daughter via 'gestational carrier'

Nicole Kidman lost out to Natalie Portman in the drama film actress category at Sunday's Golden Globes, but it turns out she and husband Keith Urban had a brand new trophy of their own already: The couple welcomed a new baby daughter, Faith Margaret, on Dec. 28.

The baby girl, born in a Nashville, Tenn., hospital, was carried by a surrogate -- a "gestational carrier" -- but is the biological child of the actress and country star.

"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the family told People on Monday.

The new daughter joins the couple's 2-year-old girl, Sunday Rose. Kidman previously adopted daughter Isabella and son Connor with ex-husband Tom Cruise.

"No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process," the new parents said, "in particular our gestational carrier."

Kidman and Urban didn't say a word about their new addition at the Golden Globes, but the Ministry spotted them slipping out of the Weinstein-Relativity Media party in a big rush around 10:30 p.m. We understand calling it a night if there's a newborn at home.

Leave your well wishes for the couple in the comments section below.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban arrive on the red carpet for the 68th Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on Jan. 16, 2011. Credit: Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images.

Golden Globes: Jeff Bridges turns heads at a star-studded BAFTA Tea Party

The cucumber finger sandwiches couldn't compete with Jeff Bridges and Ben Affleck, as the actors provided the most head-turning entrance at the BAFTA Tea Party in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

On an 80-degree day, a powder-keg's worth of star power and a bar full of gin made for an eventful gathering as the British Academy of Film and Television Arts held its annual awards-season event at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills.

Bridges and Affleck laughed and chatted as necks craned and servers in black ties passed by with silver trays filled with fish and chips in paper cones. Bridges' appearance was purely ceremonial, as "True Grit" is not nominated for a Golden Globe this year. Still, last year's best actor winner said he was looking forward to presenting the best actress award at Sunday's ceremony.

"It's a nice tradition," said Bridges, doing the honors this year after taking home last year's trophy for his raw performance as a fading, alcoholic country singer in "Crazy Heart."

"And it's good to see so many friends here."

Meanwhile, Aaron Eckhart talked with a table of agents about his ambition to direct. "I want to make movies about men and families and children that the whole family can see," he said. "I don't think Hollywood has covered that niche yet."

A few feet away, Nicole Kidman -- dressed in casual pants, with her long red hair swept neatly around her slender shoulders -- chatted with friends and studiously avoided the party photographers.

Around the corner, in front of an elaborate table of tea cakes, Mark Ruffalo and Evan Handler hung around together fairly exclusively, taking a break from their conversation only to talk to the occasional lanky blond or brunette.

BAFTA/LA Chairman Nigel Lythgoe made the rounds and happily played the congenial host.

"I love how terribly British this all feels," he told Wall Street Journal film critic Joe Morgenstern. "The room is elegant and the chef is British. It feels as if you're at the Ritz. No awards are being given, but everyone is being rewarded by a cup of tea."

A few tables over, Kathy Griffin, dressed in a form-fitting Oscar de la Renta dress, sipped her drink and watched the proceedings with a wry smile. When asked what she had in her purse on this particular day -- last year at the Emmys, her answer to this reporter was "crack cocaine" -- she said, "A Shake Weight to keep my arms in shape."

And the highlight of her day? "I thought Jeremy Renner was handsome, but he looked like Rob Lowenstein in 'St. Elmo's Fire.' "

Click the pics for more photos from the red carpet.

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-- Jessica Gelt

Photos, from top: Jeff Bridges, Nicole Kidman and Jeremy Renner arrive at the BAFTA Tea Party held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on Sunday. Credits, from top: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press; Dan Steinberg / Associated Press; Frazer Harrison / Getty Images.

Nicole Kidman tells Jennifer Aniston about Keith Urban, her gift from God

Nicole Kidman is getting a little help from her friends, namely Jennifer Aniston, in talking up her best actress-bait performance in "Rabbit Hole," as well as life as a working mom and wife.

"I remember thinking, Oh, my God, if you ever gave me a man like that, I promise I would be completely devoted for the rest of my life," Kidman said of husband Keith Urban, while Aniston gave her the Q&A treatment for Harper's Bazaar.

Sort of a strange stiletto for Aniston to slip on, that of a journalist, but she took to the task with admiration for Nicole, her costar in the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy "Just Go With It," which opens in February. 

"I remember the first time I met Nicole Kidman," Aniston recalled. "We were at a Golden Globes party in 2005 and -- typical Hollywood story -- we share an agent. I remember meeting this tall, beautiful woman ... I was completely starstruck."

Kidman said she's not only grateful for her man, but for their new life in Tennessee. 

"It was fortuitous that Keith happened to live in Tennessee. He brought me down to this place called Leipers Fork, just outside of Nashville, very lush and rural. I just went 'Aaah,' " she said.

But wait -- you didn't expect this to end without some mutual body envy, did you? Aniston says Kidman is a physical "masterpiece." Kidman finds this outrageous, saying, "Excuse me, you wear a bikini in the film and you look like you're 20 years old."

Aniston zings back that there was Vaseline on the lens.

Is this interview just a fantasy film-star love fest? 

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Nicole Kidman contemplates film, family and, apparently, this garden. Credit: Harper's Bazaar

Aaron Eckhart gets intense at N.Y. premiere of 'Rabbit Hole'

Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart's movie "Rabbit Hole," which has hopped around the festival circuit starting with a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and including AFI Fest in L.A., had its New York premiere Thursday night.

Eckhart and Kidman portray a husband and wife whose lives are changed when their son is killed in a freak car accident. Kidman told People on Thursday that she'd "begged" Eckhart to play opposite her -- perhaps because of his intense approach to acting.

"The first time I met Nicole I went up to her and I said, 'I can do anything to you. I can touch you, I can not talk to you, I can be rude to you, I can want to have sex with you,'" he told Access Hollywood on the red carpet. "Because that's our relationship and I give myself permission to do that and I give you permission to do that with me."

Sandra Oh, who hit the red carpet along with co-stars Jon Tenney of "The Closer" fame and "Guiding Light" veteran Tammy Blanchard, described Eckhart to People as "a very, very complex, deep, deep, deep lovely man."

Gee, ya think?

Gwyneth Paltrow is 'Country Strong' at the CMAs

 

If Gwyneth Paltrow actually wants to make a crossover to country music, she got Nashville's highest blessing Wednesday evening by performing at the CMAs.

Belting out "Country Strong," the title track from her new drama costarring Leighton Meester and Tim McGraw, Paltrow got vocal backing from country legend Vince Gill and the approval of a fellow A-lister in the audience: Nicole Kidman.

Next to husband Keith Urban, the "Rabbit Hole" star clapped enthusiastically for guitar-strumming Paltrow.

Check out the clip above and tell us in comments if you think Paltrow's offering is strong enough for country music stardom.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly