Top 6 Most Elite Star-Studded Events
Leah Mitchell Quick Links
The red carpet, the gorgeous designer gowns, the flashing lights – the red carpet experience may seem exciting and exhilarating for most but for many celebrities it is, as they say, ‘all in a days' work’. Beyond the routine of the red carpet experience, beyond the limos and lights, there are events that all of Hollywood flocks to, anticipating for months – not out of obligation, but out of sheer excitement and will. These are the events that come once a year and cost thousands of dollars to attend. These are the events that separate the A-listers from the B-listers and can make or even break a career. These events are opportunities for our favourite celebrities to showcase an ulterior side, and make a mark for themselves, outside their genre of music or their blockbuster films. From presidential dinners to the fashion events of the year, as the world seems to grow smaller and smaller, celebrities have found ways to integrate themselves into politics, art and even sporting events. No need to stake out the next red carpet premiere or the Oscars for a chance to see your favorite stars – these are the top six most star-studded events where you are guaranteed to make a celebrity sighting.
6. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The White House is where game-changing political decisions are decided. It is home to the most powerful man in the world, and hosts the biggest party in North America. The annual White House Correspondent’s Dinner is a formal event that gives the president a chance to mingle with his constitutes, discuss his political agenda and most importantly, showcase a more personable side. Only the best of the best are invited to attend the event, which has become renown for its array of celebrity guests and performers. Over the years, the event has been hosted by some of the world’s most esteemed comedians including, Stephen Colbert, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien and most recently, Joel McHale. President Obama often showcases his own comedic side, acting as the comedic entertainment during dinner, making a speech and poking fun at his own administration. During the most recent event Obama said, “In 2008 my slogan was “Yes we can”. In 2013, my slogan was “control-alt-delete”. The Annual 2014 White House Correspondents Dinner was host to celebrities including Jessica Simpson, Lupita Nyong’o and Sofia Vergara to name only a few.
5. The San Diego Comic-Con International
Once a year, every vampire, ghost, ghoul, alien and werewolf come out of hiding for the annual San Diego Comic-Con International, a four-day event that brings in an audience of more the 130,000 guests. Over the week, Comic-Con events showcase the best in supernatural entertainment, including season premieres, season trailers and meet-and-greets with what seems like half of Hollywood. With over 100 panels made up of actors and actresses who portray some of our favorite characters on television and in movies, Comic-Con may be one of the only events in the world that can bring in an entire cast. The event, which takes place at many satellite locations throughout San Diego, began as a one-day mini-con, and has gone on to grow into the biggest comic-con event in the country. Over the years, celebrity guests have included The Originals cast, The Vampire Diaries cast, The Blacklist cast, the Dexter cast, the Veronica Mars cast, the Once Upon A Time cast and individuals including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Samuel L. Jackson and Jamie Foxx. The event also promotes the up-and-coming developments and steps being taken by some of televisions most beloved shows – in 2013, the trailer for the fourth season of The Walking Dead premiered at Comic-Con, Arrow’s second season premiere and The Game of Thrones season 4 trailer.
4. The Met Gala
Every May, one event sets the president for the coming year’s most outlandish, most glamorous and most to-die-for fashion statements – an event so influential and publicized that only the most fashionable celebrities manage to score themselves a ticket (priced at $25,000) and more importantly, a red-carpet appearance. The Met Gala is often the final push that breathes life into the careers of up-and-coming fashionistas. Set amongst the backdrop of the spectacular Metropolitan Museum of Art, in the heart of New York City, the star-studded event marks the start of the museum’s annual fashion exhibit. It’s themed red carpet looks often become the newest muses and inspiration for fashion designers around the world. In 2008, the event showcased a superhero theme, and in 2013, studs and leather crowded the red carpet for the Punk: Chaos to Couture theme. This year’s ball, which took place on May 5, 2014, modernized high society fashion with ball gowns, gloves and higher necklines. With the high price ticket and the unbeatable exposure, it is no surprise that Hollywood flocks to New York for the event. Attendees at the 2014 gala included Adriana Lima, Lea Michele, Kendall Jenner, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Mara, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and budding big-screen star Shailene Woodley. Co-hosts for the 2014 awards included Vogue Editor and Chief, Anna Wintour and style superstars, Bradley Cooper and Sarah Jessica Parker.
3. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Every December, men and woman worldwide turn on their televisions for the most hotly anticipated fashion show of the entire year – a show that prides itself on including more sparkle and less clothing, than any other fashion event in the world. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show showcases some of the years most famous and influential musical artists - both on and off stage. Not only do celebrity guests fill up the limited number of audience seats available, the models themselves include fashion icons like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Lily Aldridge. Over the past three years, musical guests have included Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy, Neon Jungle, A Great Big World, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bruno mars and Katy Perry. Audience members have included Michael Bay, Orlando Bloom and Beyonce. Many of the model’s famous boyfriends and fiancés make appearances both as spectators and performers. In 2011, Adam Levine preformed with his then girlfriend, Anne Vyalitsyna only to be seen in the audience three years later, cheering on his new fiancé, Behati Prinsloo. Later this year, the show will be flying across the pond to London, England. With over double the size of the audience, and a new black-tie feature, the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is sure to double it’s celebrity guest list.
2. The Super Bowl
Easily the most watched show on the planet, every February men, woman and children gather around their 50-inch plasma screen televisions, indulge in American delicacies and spend their Sunday evening watching two teams battle it out for the title of Super Bowl champion. Every year, millions of people wonder what it would be like to be in the stands and become a part of the action – celebrities included. The Super Bowl is one of the only non-red-carpet events to bring in hordes of celebrities. In 2014, Super Bowl attendees included Nina Dobrev, Ashley Greene, Phillip Phillips, David Beckham, Leonardo Dicaprio and of course, Bruno Mars. The Super Bowl has become more then just a game – it has become a fashion event, with seemingly hundreds of exclusive parties, nearly as famous as the game and completely dominated by Hollywood’s elite. Celebrities are well represented at parties including, The Bud Light Party, Leather and Laces Super Bowl party and Maxim Super Bowl party. The DirectTV Celebrity Beach Bowl has been labeled one of the most star-studded events of the weekend, with guests including Shay Mitchell and Tracy Morgan. Not only do our favorite celebs grace the stands and parties, but even those unable to attend make a special appearance in the famous Super Bowl commercials, easily making them the most watched commercials in the world.
1. Coachella
When Coachella comes to town, the crop tops, fringe bags and high-wasted jean shorts come out to play – along with some of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities and fashionistas. The internationally acclaimed music festival is so famous for celebrity siting’s that Huffington Post has labeled it, “Celebrity Spring Break”. While many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed stars are encouraged to attend through corporate incentives and product placement, the best part about this acclaimed celebrity even, is that it is just as easy for anyone else to get a ticket - which means that for two weekends, anyone can mingle with their favorite stars. Attendees to Coachella 2014 included Sarah Hyland, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, Jared Leto, Victoria Justice and Paris Hilton. For guaranteed celebrity sightings, Coachella is the place to be – just don’t forget to pack your own flowered headband.
