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Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King celebrate Oscar nominee Mo’Nique’s success with an L.A. luncheon

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Best-supporting-actress nominee Mo’Nique has a strong chance of walking away with an Oscar, though some would say she received an even bigger prize on Saturday when Oprah Winfrey turned up at a ladies luncheon in honor of Mo’Nique’s performance in ‘Precious.’ Held at West Hollywood’s Philippe Chow and hosted by MAC Cosmetics and actress Shondrella Avery, Oprah swept in with best friend Gayle King. The entire party was given white gloves and faux pearls to don for the fete, which had a French theme.

‘Precious’ lead Gabourey Sidibe, Natalie Cole, Macy Gray, Alfre Woodard, Vivica A. Fox, Ali Landry, Nia Long, Keisha Whitaker, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Ruby Dee joined in giving kudos, with Champagne cocktails and chicken lettuce cups. Dessert, a cake, was a free-standing replica of the Eiffel Tower decorated with icing pearls.

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Event runners Ben Russo and Jack Ketsoyan of EMC Bowery mingled with the daytime queen, who indicated she was rooting for Mo’ to sweep her category.

‘Her performance was legendary,’ Oprah said.

As if a Golden Globe, a Spirit Award, an Oscar nom and lunch with Oprah weren’t enough -- MAC AIDS Fund Chairman John Demsey announced a $25,000 donation to HIV/AIDS organization Women Alive in Mo’Nique’s name.

Her fellow actresses and pals ...

... all scored gift bags including Flip cameras, Unite hair-care products and jewels from Pascal Mouawad.

-- Matt Donnelly

Recent and related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip

The ‘Precious’ posse celebrates after sweeping Spirit Awards

An A-list army -- Taylor Lautner among the ranks -- turns out for agent Ari Emanuel’s pre-Oscars hospitality

Jodie Foster -- too boring for indie film? Let her tell the story

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Skirting danger, sipping cocktails at Women in Film’s pre-Oscar bash

Mission Impossible? No, J.J. Abrams was indeed honored as an Irishman in film

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A new Times database puts readers on the sidewalks of Hollywood, using more than a century of archives to track the lives of the stars, including current Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges, James Cameron, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep.


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