Sightings: Elizabeth Banks feasts on furniture; Phelps flexes
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While the box office for ‘The Hunger Games’ and record ratings for ‘Mad Men’ might suggest the whole of existence has been indoors watching screens big and small, Hollywood has still managed some work and play lately.
Like ‘Hunger Games’ fashion plate Elizabeth Banks, who celebrated the opening of her already-historic franchise with two things most actresses would fight to the death for: high-end furniture and Champagne.
Banks hit up a bash for Restoration Hardware’s spring collection, ‘Exposed,’ where the brand’s lush West Hollywood flagship was transformed into a twinkling garden party with guests including Malin Akerman, Milla Jovovich and Abbie Cornish.
In a flattering orange-red cocktail frock, Banks took in a performance from the Pierces and many a compliment on her massive film franchise. And while the film packed theaters, a man who could easily win a real life Hunger Games focused on a different competition: the summer Olympics.
Gold medalist Michael Phelps is gearing up for Olympic trials this June with some serious workouts. He of the famous wingspan has been training hard at the Under Armour global headquarters in his hometown of Baltimore.
By the looks him, the workouts are paying off. Elsewhere about town...
Clothing line Superdry USA hosted some young talent for a Los Angeles Lakers game on Friday in the moody Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center. Nikki Reed and husband Paul McDonald cozied in a private booth, while ‘Glee’ guys Mark Salling, Chord Overstreet and Harry Shum Jr. surveyed the court.
The weekend also saw some showbiz blogger birthdays. On Friday, Jared Eng of JustJared.com toasted his 30th birthday with an exclusive preview of Harry Morton’s restaurant Pink Taco. The Sunset Boulevard location welcomed Jamie King and ‘Magic Mike’’s Alex Pettyfer for a song set from Rumer Willis.
On Saturday, Perez Hilton had a Mad Hatter-themed bash at a Hollywood studio where Kim Kardashian sat flour-free in the Motorola VIP lounge, taking in performances from the Backstreet Boys, Taylor Dane and ‘Glee’ diva Amber Riley. Guests in the hidden loft area walked with a new Droid Razr Maxx and some ‘Alice in Wonderland’ inspired deserts.
Downstairs at the Nivea Kissing Booth, young things such as Ashley Tisdale and singer Jo Jo puckered up for the fun photo-booth feature. Additional guests included Dita Von Teese and Natasha Bedingfield.
Also on Saturday, the Genesis Awards went down at the Beverly Hilton, celebrating entertainment and media efforts to support animal issues. Bill Maher came through, as did ‘Vampire Diaries’ hunk Ian Somerhalder, with a very affectionate date -- Uggie, the canine star of ‘The Artist.’
And while the November Presidential election comes into focus, one former first daughter danced to the beat of her own drum. Jenna Bush Hager recently hit up the SXSW festival in Austin with her husband Henry and some gal pals from High School. Jenna hung out in the Hard Rock Hotel’s ‘Sound of Your Stay’ music lounge, where she and her group drank New Amsterdam cocktails while watching The Givers on Music Choice’s SWRV TV stage.
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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly
Top photo: Elizabeth Banks attends the Restoration Hardware Spring 2012 Launch in Los Angeles on March 22. Credit: John Shearer / Getty Images
Second photo: Michael Phelps gets an intense workout in Baltimore. Credit: Under Armour