Tip #1: PICK YOUR PARTIES STRATEGICALLY
Every May, France throws the biggest party in the world - the Cannes Film Festival. Knowing where to party to maximize your celeb sightings is primordial!
When La Mom went to the festival back in the day, she knew the best parties for celeb stalking happened at the famous Hotel du Cap. The night I had to choose between a movie studio party on a yacht or the Hotel du Cap for a premiere after- party, I knew which fête had the most potential. Once at the Hotel du Cap, my eyes became sore from all the A-list celebs whose stars were shining ever so brightly. My neck was whiplashed from the non-stop parade of American (and French) celebs. Imagine coming face to face with Sean Penn, George Clooney, Cameron Diaz, Puff Daddy, Mick Jagger & Nicole Kidman?
Lesson learned: Strategic (party) thinking pays off!
PS- Here's a picture of La Mom walking the red carpet with her colleagues. My date was our company's Chief Financial Officer (actually, he was known as the Chief Star F***er.) His screwing paid off though because he was the one who got us into the Hotel du Cap party!
Tip #2: PLAY DUMB
Tyra Banks was in Paris a while back filming a segment for her talk show. When I realized it was her across the street from my top floor apartment, I went out on my terrace and starting yelling "Hi Tyra!" (I know - I'm sooo lame.) I even made a poster "I luv Tyra" (even lamer!) Then I took pictures and videotaped her taping her segment. A few mintues later a big security guard knocked on my front door:
Guard: Bon-jowr Mad-am. On behalf of the Tyra Banks Show I'd like you to hand over the unauthorized photos you just took of Miss Banks.
La Mom: Excusez-moi? Vous êtes qui? Qu'est-ce que vous voulez?
Guard: Do you speak English Mad-am?
La Mom: Vous cherchez qui encore? Je comprends rien du tout. Allez, partez Monsieur.
Guard: I guess you don't understand what I'm asking for. Sorry to disturb you Mad-am.
Lesson learned: Play dumb (and speak another language if possible) while stalking!
Tip #3: PARK IT POOLSIDE
Celebrity stalking doesn't always happen at places like the Hotel Costes, L'Avenue, Hermès, Avenue Montaigne, or the Park Monceau. It can also happen poolside...
For example, parking your derrière next to the pool at the Paris Country Club can get you a ring side seat at a catfight between a French banking baron's wife and his mistress. It's true! If I hadn't witnessed it myself I wouldn't have believed it for all the cheese in France (PS- the mistress was pushed into the pool.)
Or you can park it next to the pool at La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech, Morroco. Especially in April when Paris is damp and wet, you'll find lots of French celebs soaking up the sun here. Big Cheese and I once spotted "Jacqueline" reading what looked like a movie script not far from us. I went into the cabana bathroom later and while I was unlocking the stall to leave, someone else walked in and shut the stall door next to me.
Then she cut the cheese and let it rip! I had to refrain from bursting out laughing (I know - very juvenile of moi!) I left the the bathroom in a hurry and got back to my lounge chair. Big Cheese and I kept our eyes glued to the cabana to see who it was. A few mintues later, Jacqueline opened the door and sauntered back to her pool chair like she was God's gift to French cinema. Now every time we see her in magazines or on TV, Big Cheese and I can't help but call her Jacques the Ripper.
Lesson learned: Prime celeb sightings happen poolside with the added benefit of knowing that celebs are just like you and me. Especially the French ones - they know how to cut a mean cheese!
