New York, October 27 – It was Elsie Katz’s lucky day when Sharon Stone hosted the Princess Grace Awards wearing a gown she designed. Word has it Stone also considered dresses by Bernice Goldbaum and Zelda Schwartz, but Katz won out. Stone said she and Prince Albert of Monaco are good friends, and that she’s been involved with the organization for years. More royalty was in the house: Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway, who dexterously made out with her Italian boyfriend, Raffaello Follieri, while talking on her cell phone. We couldn’t help wondering if American Idol winner Fantasia was nervous. knowing that legendary singer Dionne Warwick was listening to her performance. Fantasia probably said a little prayer...

New York, October 26 – The click-clack of stiletto heels along the windswept piers on Manhattan’s west side on Tuesday night wasn’t from hookers looking for sailors. These were label whores, out to take in a fashion show of Giorgio Armani’s spring/summer 2005 collection, the same one shown weeks before in Milan.

The show was open to the public, but targeted to a very specific audience, since it was advertised only in downtown bible Paper magazine. Either the mag’s readership is unbelievably eclectic, or Armani’s friends and fans are. Some of the better-known guests were Glenn Close, Martin Scorsese, Vin Diesel, Kim Cattrall, singer/songwriter John Mayer and Famke Janssen. Armani was very chummy with British actor Charlie Hunnam, who solved the mystery when we caught up with him at the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars later that week. Armani’s been dressing Hunnam this year, and has enlisted the Cold Mountain star for his new Emporio ad campaign.

We’re just guessing here, but Mr. Armani also enthusiastically embraced Japanese actress Koyuki Kato (The Last Samurai), even dashing outside to meet her car. Maybe we’ll be seeing her face in Armani ads soon?

No word on ad campaigns, but Ricky Martin modeled live, shaking his famous hips on the runway.

Philadelphia, PA, October 25 –The Democrats dragged Bill Clinton out of his house, dusted him off and sent him to Philadelphia to spark up the dull presidential campaign. Seven weeks following quadruple-bypass heart surgery, the charismatic ex-prez was buoyant, trim and looked to be in great health. Singer Patti LaBelle belted out a song, and PA Governor Ed Rendell introduced Clinton and John Kerry to the thousands gathered in Love Park. Responding to the crowd’s rousing reception, Clinton said, “If this isn’t good for my heart, I don’t know what is”. After the speeches, Clinton worked the crowd, shaking hands and greeting people for almost fifteen minutes. Then he was off to Florida, for more stumping.

Las Vegas, October 25 – Acid reflux victim/pop star Ashlee Simpson had the nerve to perform on live television only 48 hours after her mortifying Saturday Night Live debacle, when Ashlee’s voice began wafting from TV sets across the nation, but her lips were not moving on screens. Ashlee took her lumps with humor, joking with the Radio Music Awards audience on Monday that her band began playing the wrong song. Anyway, producers swear that Ashlee was singing for real at the awards, which were broadcast live on NBC.

At one point, we bumped into Ashlee and sometime-boyfriend Ryan Cabrera getting off an elevator, in the midst of a heated argument. She didn't seem to be lip-synching.

Rod Stewart’s daughter, Kimberly, was flashing around a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé, rocker Cisco Adler. Reportedly, Adler popped the question and presented her with the ring in the limo on the way to the Radio Music Awards ceremony. How romantic can you get?

Another highlight: original coochie-coochie girl Charo was in the crowd, but we didn't get the chance to ask her about her upcoming projects.

Usher, Linkin’ Park, Beyonce and Tim McGraw were some of the winners, recognized for having top-playing radio songs. Destiny’s Child, Elton John and others wowed the crowd with performances.

Photos by Jen Lowery