Celebrities converged on the old Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. Friday night (Oct. 27) for Casamigos’ famed Halloween Bash. Now, let’s give out the costume awards.
WINNER: Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban as Sonny and Cher. The bash was ’70s-themed, so they were on trend with the decade’s power couple. Bonus points to Cheban, usually a man of unclear purpose, who outshines his celeb pal.
WINNER: Amal Clooney. Other than the Golden Globes or one of George’s movie premieres, the human rights lawyer never makes Hollywood red carpet event appearances. While George was not here, Mrs. Clooney arrived with his Casamigos business partner, Rande Gerber, and his wife Cindy Crawford.
WIN-FAIL-FAIL: Two big names (Courtney Love and David Spade) were too cool for a costume. The only winner is Love’s mystery man date in the Peter Dinklage mask.
WIN: Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. This will become a reference photo for other couples looking to dress “’70s” in the future.
WIN: Casamigos main man and party host Mike Meldman poses with Adam Levine. “The Voice” judge went deep in disguise by hitting the drums instead of singing when Maroon 5 played a surprise set as an AC/DC cover band. They opened with “Back in Black” and then rocked “Highway to Hell” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” as part of a midnight five-song set.
WIN: Pasquale Rotella as Elliot with “E.T.” The Insomniac founder and festival mogul threw one of the country’s largest Halloween parties, the two night Escape Pyscho Circus. About 100,000 costumed fans danced to Tiesto, Alan Walker, Marshmello, Don Diablo, and the young ones Madeon and Rezz out at the NOS Events Center.
For those who no hablas español, Casamigos literally means “House of Friends.” It lived up to its billing, playing out like what Hollywood parties look like in the movies.
Bartenders slung cocktails in the roller rink-themed space…
Shag rugs and oak barrels (where tequila normally ages) dotted the space, but these were “disco barrels.” The dance floor would not stay empty for long.
FAIL: Jon Hamm. To his credit, he’s given up drinking so I can’t chide him for not being a party monster, but this looks pulled from his closet. Poor effort.
Derek Hough (Grade: C) and Joanna Krupa (Grade:A): Dancer Hough is a professional costume-wearer, so we expect more than a zip-in costume for an insurance sign-twirler on the corner. Krupa nailed the decade with the “Grease” look.
Jamie Mazur and Alessandra Ambrosio: A-
They matched their colors and hit the theme hard. She could make anything look good. Based on this, Ale would have been a star at an actual 1970’s party on the Sunset Strip… had she been born a couple decades earlier.
Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber: A-
Sometimes less is more. The genetically blessed offspring of Cindy and Rande always lean into this costume party. Bonus points to Presley for the shades and to both for the 100-mile stare of hazed out ’70s youth. If these guys can dress up, what’s your excuse David Spade?
David Spade: Fail. Another night at the club.
Charlotte McKinney: Sign her up for “American Hustle 2.”
“Left Shark” would have been a winner in 2015. Now, it passed its expiration date. Grade: C
WIN: Kelly Sawyer, Erin Foster and friends
Group costumes are like bridesmaids dresses: at least half the people are going to be pissed. Bonus points for corralling any group into a costume.
WIN: Harry Hamlin and model-daughter Delilah Hamlin
Keep your eye on Delilah. She has over 500,000 instagram followers and with her sister, the duo are becoming tabloid page socialites.
Russell Simmons: No grade.
The first time I saw Russell dressed as his brother Rev Run’s seminal rap group Run DMC it was an A. However, there is a half life. He repeats this every year.
DJ Cassidy: A
This is not a costume. This is his normal wardrobe. He gets the “A” for filling the dance floor at every event he spins, whether its JB Smoove’s birthday party or this celeb-packed Halloween bash. He successfully bridged the gap between ’70s music and contemporary hits by remixing “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Play That Funky Music White Boy.”
A look at the elaborate production design, also a winner of the night.
Darren Aronofsky and Richard Kind: C
I don’t know what either of these guys are dressed up as, but it’s good to see two film guys catching up. In the background, the Baby’s Badass Burger Truck that kept guests fueled all night.
Emina Cunmulaj (A-) and Sam Nazarian (D)
They lose to Kim and Jonathan. There is an interesting through line at the Casamigos bash. Nazarian’s SBE bought Morgan’s Hotel Group, which includes Gerber’s famed Skybar.
The mixology: Winner
WEAK: Molly Sims and Scott Stuber
Molly is a unicorn. Scott looks like he pulled this costume out of a “50 percent off” bag at the Halloween store. At this class level of entertainers and artists, I expect more.
Monica Gambee and host Mike Meldman: Congrats, you two, on the bash. You win Halloween 2017.
Flashback: Take a look back at last year’s winners here.
