Updated 11/2/08 with Marianne/Uma Thurman video at bottom.
Where were we? The Zac Posen gala. Enough about me and my underpinnings. This is about Marianne. Oh, she looks so innocent, doesn’t she? Just wait ’til she gets on the red carpet.
The party was at Time Warner Center in a gorgeous, multi-level venue.
Marianne wastes no time. She knows what’s what, where’s where and it’s all about getting b-roll before Uma and Zac show up. Destination, the bar.
And that was my cue: Champagne Bitch, you are cleared to move on in, ascertain the resources, and procure the necessary provisions.
There was plenty for everyone.
No, really. There’s enough champagne for everyone. Twice over. At least.
Oh, but you want it served to you on a silver platter? We can oblige!
What’s that? You don’t like champagne? No problem. Have some rum.
Rum’s not your bag? No worries. Vodka coming right up.
ACK! The rumors are flying! The red carpet is abuzz. MUST. GET. BACK. TO. SECURE. THE. BEACHEAD. The team heads back to the paparazzi outpost. Lights! Camera! Wait…no, she looks cool but she’s not famous…moving on…
Cute pirate boys always make a party that much better, but they’re not what we’re here for either…
Who’s next…oh, cool! Did you know that we medaled in Olympic fencing? Yep, check out the strapping young duelists below. Both of these guys were completely adorable, a fact enhanced by Mr. Morehouse’s business card. On one side it says, TIM MOREHOUSE/Olympic Silver Medalist and on the other it has this picture of him just after he won, in full-on, “FUCK, YEAH, I DID IT!” pose. For a second I wanted to be ten years younger. Well, actually, I tend to want to be ten years younger on a regular basis. Nevermind. (Maybe I should get a business card that says LIZ MAVERICK/Won Stanford Shopping Mall Easter Egg Design Competition at Age 7. I’m sure there’s a picture of me somewhere at age 7 just after I won, in full-on “FUCK, YEAH, I DID IT!” pose.)
Okay, SHE’S famous (and yet, if I knew her name, I’d put it here, ahem): LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! Marianne’s internal recording light goes on and she’s doing her thing…
He’s here! And that must mean Uma isn’t far behind! We hope. Not that it’s all about Uma, or anything. Of course it’s about Zac. I mean, he’s getting the award. (But, where the hell is Uma?)
Marianne thought bubble: “I am so ready to trample that chick behind me if she gets in my way…”
Marianne thought bubble: ”Oh, yeah…another red carpet…me and Zac Posen…just another day…”
Will you look at the journalistic intensity in her eyes? (Do NOT look directly into the light. Seriously.)
Marianne thought bubble: ”Thanks, Zac, and time for one mo–OMG, move out of the way! Gossip Girls are coming down the red carpet!!!!!”
Are you asking her the tough questions, Mare? Like, um, whose boyfriend is she gonna steal on the show? (You know Marianne’s a HUGE Gossip Girl fan, right?)
It’s always startling when you realize that sometimes the stars aren’t being airbrushed at all; they actually are that Insanely Beautiful. This picture doesn’t even do her justice. (Mare? Actress names?)
So the Gossip Girls go in to see and be seen and all is strangely quiet on the carpet until Uma Thurman finally arrives and goes through the mysterious “back entrance” instead of via the red carpet to give a short speech about Zac Posen’s fashion prowess. Apparently, she’s “nervous about her speech.” Someone loudly says, “She’s an actress, for god’s sake. She gives speeches for a living!” 
Near mutiny ensues amongst the paparazzi. Marianne, diplomatic as ever, chooses to wait it out until the very end and refuses to participate in a drawing of the cocktail straws in which the loser would be forced to trip Uma as she leaves the party. I’ve got some video of what she actually did below:
Yeah, um, next time I’ll remember to hold the camera the other way when I shoot video of myself. Heh.
And after the Uma Thurman, It’s Not About Me moment, it was all over. And that’s me, below. Liz Maverick, Official Champagne Bitch and Paparazzi to the Paparazzi. Hey, the swag was awesome. Anytime, Mare. Anytime.
Liz
Filed under: Events, Out & About in NY | Tagged: fashion, gossip girl, Gossip Girls, Liz Maverick, Marianne Mancusi, Rebels of Romance, Tim Morehouse, Uma Thurman, video, Zac Posen
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Uma? What gives? Why avoid the red carpet??
Keira: She kept saying that this was “Zac’s night” and that she was just here to honor her friend. She basically was saying she didn’t want to take his spotlight. However, the paparazzi were told at the beginning that she would walk the carpet so they did stand there for many hours waiting only to have her give them very little material they could use. The star/paparazzi relationship is very interesting…
Liz
Here’s how the red carpet/event thing works. Event organizers use celebs as bait to promote their event or cause. The celeb is asked to simply walk down the red carpet and answer a few questions. Most celebs are happy to oblige. They know the drill. Some stars, however, decide they’re too A-List for this and decide to play games with the media. Like sit in the bathroom for 2 hours rather than spend five minutes on a red carpet.
Uma’s excuse – it’s not about her – doesn’t really fly because had she answered questions and posed solo (and came out when she was supposed to!) Zac would have ended up with more ink in the long run. Especially since she was wearing his dress.
To her credit, remember her ex husband just had a baby with their nanny. She may be concerned about talking to the media at the moment.
Anyway, as for me, I was ready to cover the event before I even knew she’d be there so it was all gravy anyway. It was worth going just for Zac as he’s such a fashion rock-n-roller these days.