Christmas in L.A.

Joan Collins

15 December 2008

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Joan Collins enjoys a Christmas in L.A.

But now it seems, with a few exceptions, the ‘celeb’ mags don’t want pretty pics of people posing. They want gritty, down to earth, intrusive, in-yer-face, ugly snaps of actors carrying their rubbish out, at the grocery store, and most violating of all, going through security at the airport.

At LAX, the small area where you queue to get the demeaning security search is often thick with paparazzi. They adore the snaps of stars without their shoes, jackets or headgear being frisked by Neanderthal security men (and women).

I asked the Head of the Los Angeles Police Department about it and he told me that nothing can be done: ‘It’s a public place — it’s their right.’ What about the rights of the individual, who just happens to be a famous actor, not to be pushed and shoved and have a camera poked inches away from their face? Princess Diana died from trying to escape the paparazzi, I wonder how long it will be before another celebrity is seriously hurt.

Brad Pitt, who along with Angelina Jolie, is probably the victim of more paparazzo stalking than anyone else on the planet, was recently outspoken in his dislike of paps. ‘Let me be very blunt,’ he said during an interview, ‘I hate them. I don’t know how they can live that way... climbing over your walls in camouflage and calling out your kids names as you’re trying to take them to school.’ It’s disgusting indeed, Brad, and good on you for saying so. I’ll follow your bandwagon anytime.

I saw the face of true fame when we attended a Halloween party given by pop-star Natalie Baine of the Dixie Chicks. Arriving at dusk at her mansion there were several helicopters hovering above the gated entrance and dozens of those lurking paps, waiting for famous faces, no doubt. I was ushered into a private room — I was told — to meet someone special. I thought the person sitting on the sofa had the most realistic Michael Jackson mask I’d ever seen. I marvelled at the resemblance — the voice, the mannerisms, the detailed knowledge — and then I realised it was actually Michael Jackson in the flesh.

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ann

December 16th, 2008 4:25pm Report this comment

Dear Joan,
Hollywood's golden years are alive and well. Just writing to tell you that the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater will be opening this summer (2009) in Hepburn's beloved seaside town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. USA The theater is right down the way from the former Hepburn home in the borough of Fenwick.
The building in which it will be housed, was built in 1910 and is already on the National Register of Historic Places. We call it "the little gem of a place with a movie star name"
Go to our website for all things Hepburn and construction updates.
www.katharinehepburntheater.org
As a member of the board of trustees I'd love to tell you more.
Contact:
ann.nyberg@gmail.com

janis anderson

December 17th, 2008 5:38am Report this comment

Sweetie,
I really like what you have to say. Keep up the good work. At the risk of being petty and pedantic, was Javier Bardem im Che?

JohnAnt

December 18th, 2008 10:07pm Report this comment

Hmm, yes indeed, why don't they show the Hollywood greats except infrequently and in small doses? And the same goes for the French and Italian and British old-time greats.
I think it's the advertisers not daring to brave what Wilde described as the rage of Caliban (in this case Mr/Ms NormalConsumer) not, for once, seeing their own faces in the glass.

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