Hollywood stars and execs are scared to let their hair down at high-profile Oscar parties, as scandals continue to rock the industry, sources said.
“With everything that’s happened over the past 18 months, it has had a cultural effect on how people behave,” observed one entertainment insider. “A public party is not the forum for people to unwind anymore.” But the pro pondered, “Maybe that’s a good thing?”
At parties leading up to the Oscars this year, the star wattage has certainly seemed lower, and some celebs who were known for kicking up their heels in the past have been instead quietly holding court with those close to them, if they are out at all.
Many were surprised that Patriots owner and Oscars fixture Robert Kraft — who’s been accused by cops in Florida of soliciting prostitution, but strongly denies the claims — showed up in town to attend parties hosted by moguls Ron Perelman and Barry Diller on Friday and Saturday. (We’d heard he was on the list for one bigger bash that he did not attend.) Kraft has been known in the past as a regular at Elton John’s Sunday charity viewing bash.
Then again, there may be other reasons that the party circuit for the stars has been subdued. Said a source of the awards this year as well as the films nominated: “We don’t have a host. The movies are not movies that people are clamoring to see. It’s an inside baseball year. And there is the politics of Hollywood. No host, and no interest. It’s a real reflection of where Hollywood is.”