Meryl Streep proved once again she is a class act, as she is vying for her third Oscar Sunday night, (she’s been nominated 19 times) for her stint in “Into The Woods.” At the Women in Film held their Eighth Annual Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party at Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails in Los Angeles, Meryl was called up for the group picture, as were all the 30 nominees.
Ms. Streep, popped in and out, but made sure to wave all her fellow nominees to join her, no hogging the spotlight for her. The gracious Jennifer Hudson co-hosted the event with LA President of WIF, the indefatigable Cathy Schulman. Hudson couldn’t stay long either, as she had to go rehearse for the Oscars, but did manage to give a shout out to her pal and collaborator Diane Warren, the mega talented, respected songwriter who is nominated for the 7th time for her song, ‘Grateful,’ sung by Rita Ora from ‘Beyond The Lights.”
Jennifer quipped to the packed VIP crowd, “There’s my friend Diane, this is not your first walk in the park.” The ladies hugged it out and Hudson wished Warren good luck before leaving.
“Gone Girl,” nominee Rosamund Pike told me that, “I don’t expect to win, but it’s fun, hey it’s the greatest show on earth.” Schulman and Hudson gave the ladies a pep talk, Jen encouraged the crowd to “keep up your amazing work,” and Cathy quoted WIF’s sponsor M.A.C.’s motto, “All races, all sexes all ages.”
Perrier-Jouet provided the libations and other nominees included: Peter Fonda (almost the only man in the room), Rory Kennedy, nominated for her documentary, “The Last Days in Vietnam,” child actress and now successful songwriter, Danielle Brisebois, for her “Lost Stars” song from “Begin Again,” Laura Dern for ‘Into The Wild.’ Other lovely ladies who mingled were Michelle Monaghan, producers Bonnie Arnold and Ilene Kahn Power, Warner super-exec Sue Kroll and more.
