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"Also of special note was Flo's trusty associate Claude who had long braids looking like he should be sitting on the banks of the Nile at a king's picnic spread being served grapes from the soft petite-pointe delicate fingers of Egyptian handmaidens. (Whew! That was a mouthful)."
*For those of you who don't know who Flo Anthony is, she is a highly sought after respected media mogul full of elegance, grace and panache.
You've seen her on all the major entertainment shows as a celebrity expert and commentator on E, VH1 and "insider" type shows, not to mention her own entertainment radio program on Jones Radio.
She is also the publisher of …just a few magazines… including the very upscale Black Noir and Toy Box magazines.
Recently, dahling Miss Flo flew into town to host a cocktail party to toast Black Films. Only Beverly Hills would do for the busy New York socialite queen. There on the penthouse roof-top of the Luxe Hotel on chi-chi swanky Rodeo Drive overlooking all the high-end designer boutiques that stream the centerof the Cannes sister city street, a light mid-day buffet was spread and many of Hollywood's elites turned out to kissy kissy, cheeky cheeky with the hostess from Paaaahhhhk Avenue.
Flo Anthony, Sam Bell & Eugenia Wright, the Kleopatra Girl (phot Vinni Ratcliff)
For starters, there was a smooth jazz trio providing New York mellow music to dine by. A buffet of assorted cheeses such as brie, gouda and deux du montagna avec du pain and ripened purple colored figs, served as the first round to prepare the palate for culinary tasties to follow. As a thirst quencher Alize' provided a beautiful bar with exotic blends, mixed by amiable here-to-please bartenders. My favorite was sipping on Pineapple Paradise while sitting at a white linen dressed table near the bar with a matching overhead white patio parasol to filter the sun's late-day noon rays.
The fruitling drink was so soda pop bubbly refreshing you could literally drink several rounds of the exotic tropical chillers until "surfs up'" and the the wave crashes on top of your head.
Celebrities enjoying the ambiance of a late summer soiree included: Jazmin Lewis fromVan Elder's film Divine Intervention, NY Apollo's very own Kiki Shepard, gorgeous classy and sultry diva Sheryl Lee Ralph (from Queens NY) who brought her children, comedienne Luenell (seated ringside with yours truly and Flo). This bad girl of comedy had guests in a holla-baloo. Flo proclaimed a warning to all guests before they decided to sit at our table because Luenell was literally killin' everyone with screaming laughter. It was so hysterical that one lady had to take out her asthma inhaler six times (!!!), she was laughing so hard.
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Simply Diva's Sheryl Lee Ralph, Flo Anthony, Luenell, Kiki Shepard and April Sutton lined-up for photos like Broadway babes in a chorus line (photo: Vinni Ratcliff)
Later in the evening, Lee Bailey, Hollywood's current l'homme du jour arrived. Since the EURweb Media Awards seems like Mr. "Voice" Bailey has acquired new appreciation by Hollywood 's industry community and was being grabbed by many a lady, some stars and some pretty publicists and seasoned PR gents too trying to get his attention, for their own particular agendas. Yes, pitch, pitch, pitch, pick a pitch all over the place. All the while his co-host of the EURweb Media Awards (Luenell) kept a watchful eye referring to him as her "boyfriend." If the media magnate, got too chummy with anyone else she would holler Lee (!!!) and wake him up. Luenell was the only lady to make sure Mr. Bailey "put out"… some cashola on her behalf and bought a raffle ticket that Kiki Shepard was offering for her upcoming golf charity event. So get back Loretta, Lu's got a hold of Lee.
Speaking of Loretta, Loretta Devine was also there. She was an early arrival and an early departure.
Pretty actress Jazmin Lewis was perky and friendly dressed in a revealing summer dress, exposing the tops of Minnie and Miney which became the subject of conversation. She filled me in that she's got two new film projects in the works, one of which will be a scary flick.
Just as the sun was setting, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth arrived exclaiming, "Oh, everyone is here!" She was dressed in a lovely flowing long V bustline summer dress, exuding her usual East Coast charm. You can mark OMS with a "T" for Trump.
Among the men, fitness model Sam Bell suited in Christian Couture was a hit and requested by ladies to pose several times for the cameras, until he had to leave for the Greek to see Morris Day and the Time. Que sera, sera, ciao bello. Also of special note was Flo's trusty associate Claude who had long braids looking like he should be sitting on the banks of the Nile at a king's picnic spread being served grapes from the soft petite-pointe delicate fingers of Egyptian handmaidens. (Whew! That was a mouthful).
Just when I thought I may have to duck out and call Armando owner of El Floridita Restaurant, my favorite little Latin hotspot, to order rabo, morro and yuca for pick-up because I was still hungry, servers appeared with delicious fried Hawaian glazed chicken on a stick, in keeping with the tropical drink theme, followed by little mouth size crab cake bites and serving platters of meaty prime rib in a bun (yum).
Once I finished the last little bite, it was time to go.
I was on the list to attend Meagan Good's birthday party at One Sunset, but alas the food and drinks were weighing me down, so I set my sail in the direction of mi casa.
It was bye-bye to all with a quick halt to pick up my Kimora Lee and Alize' gift bag stuffed with lots of goodies which included a patent leather hot pink carry-tote with a hanging silver Alize medallion and Kimora Lee's fragrant Fabulosity parfum bath salts. There was also a pretty decanter inside. Gifts for men included an Alize' brand business travel bag.
I just love Beverly Hills. Thanks to Flo Anthony grand reigna de Nueva York, I was able to enjoy the highlife of an uptown New York girl. Her cocktail affair was chi chi pinky in perfect Kleopatra style.
Queen to queen, tete a tete,bon nuit and ta-taaaah-ta to yer and yer and yer. Snooze - Kleopatra Girl, Out!
Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned celebrity syndicated columnist/publicist. You may write to her at kleopatragirl117@hotmail.com