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Sean “Diddy” Combs aka Puff Daddy threw a party last night at the Plaza Hotel and everyone came. And no one could get in.
A black tie birthday fete for 40 year-old Combs was set for 9 p.m. in the Plaza’s main ballroom. But by 10:20 or so, the only guests who’d made it inside were Spike Lee and his wife Tonya, “Cosby Show” star Malcom Jamal Warner, Regina King, and Martha Stewart.
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Hundreds of guests, gussied up in all kinds of “formal” attire, stood under a makeshift tent in front of the Plaza waiting to be allowed in. But the crush was a circus until famed security man Mike Zimet showed up with his phalanx of guards. They quickly brought in barricades, established queues and some order to the insanity. Thanks to Zimet’s plan, the hotel’s actual guests were allowed to come and go.
Meantime, the rain drizzled down.
But there was no red carpet, oddly, on the outside. VIP guests had to find clever ways of entering the event. Luckily, there weren’t too many of them. Bono and Herbie Hancock were at the high end. Some Kardashians were at the low. These were the people who didn’t go to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, the IAC Barry Diller media party, the Matt Damon thing, the party for Ethan Russell’s book about the Rolling Stones, or half a dozen other Thursday night events.
Combs, hotel insiders insisted to me, actually did pay for the party. Or rather, Ciroc Vodka sponsored the party, so the whole thing was an advertisement. (For the life of me, I’ve never seen or been offered Ciroc Vodka. What is it?)
What would the party be like? “Loud,” said one hotel employee. The only food expected would be in the form of desserts. The whole thing didn’t look too appetizing though, especially for us old folks who already had headaches! But it was fun to watch. No word yet on when, or if, Combs showed. I’m sure he did. R&B legend Al Green was hired as the night’s entertainment.
In the end, one observer opined, Diddy put the “ho” back in “ho-tel.”
Many years ago at one of his other big birthday parties — at Cipriani downtown — Combs had a huge number of dancers and singers perform “Hey Big Spender” for him. Mariah Carey arrived in a wedding dress. At a summer party, I met Lil Kim, neighbor Donna Karan took a tour, Diddy passed out funny brownies, and hired strippers danced on a platform above the pool. You couldn’t top any of it now if you tried!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:46 am
wow. You mustve been on the outside, because I arrived at 930, prior to the doors actually opening and waited 15 mins before i and my 4 guests were let in. Yes, we waited about 12 mins after Gayle King, Law & Orders Anthony Anderson, Tyreese, actress Shannon Elizabeth, Sky Nellor, Editor in Chief of Essence Susan Taylor, Martha Stewart, Robin Thicke, and Nelly walked in. Once inside, mind you at nearly 10pm, the place was filling with more celebs including Jay Z, the Twilight cast, Russell Simmons, Keri Hilson, everybody you mentioned and more…So whats really your problem? that people support this man year after year? If you havent heard of Ciroq, then youre not paying attention. I was in the village today and saw it on top of a Taxi. The billboards are everywhere, the commercials run/ “drink responsibly” youve heard it. But if you havent, lets say, “if,” does that mean that its an off brand?? You need to bury that hate far away from this mans 40th bday party event. It was an incredible time. And if you knew anything about a Puff event, then you knew there’d be a line and 500 more people than were on the list. Youre tone and attitude reflect that of an outsider who has no business at this event in the first place….of course besides to spew hate. You were unhappy from the beginning and it shows.
No one needs your review. We have real online and print outlets for that. Thank you and take a seat….wondering, why werent you hustling from the VS show like everyone else? OH! because your assignment, or lack thereof, took you to 5th ave. Or you couldnt get credentialed for Vickys?
Get it together. Get a life. Sit down somewhere and let everyone else enjoy an overall good nite.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
To Comment on the two previous opinions, there’s truth in both. First of all, once inside the party was very nice. Al Green’s performance was wonderful and everyone was having a great time, helped by the open bar. A classy event, P-Diddy style. That being said, it was hot and over crowded inside and the music could’ve been much better. Kid Capri should’ve been DJing instead of walking around.
As far as the line outside, it was horrendous! You’re a Hater probably was someone with pull or with someone with pull. I arrived at 10pm and the line was not moving, no one was being allowed in except VIPs thru the middle. Everyone else on the list or not was left standing on a line that didnt move. It was awful! You stood there like what are they waiting for, things just got worse and worse, line longer and longer and the women on the stairs were standing around. For a good 30 plus minutes they ignored people on the list line and let vips in. Finally I saw a VIP I knew and got in, otherwise who knows when I wouldve. The party was worth it, when I finally did get in. Puff is a class act, and I’ve lost count of how many wonderful times I’ve had with my girls at his events.
February 4th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
{What can I say?|What else is there to say?|I think} I {really|kinda|sorta} like Jay-Z