World Music Awards in Monaco

Yet another month gone in showbiz land peeps. This month, apart from the usual low key photocalls, lunches and launches, I started with the World Music Awards in Monaco.
This year's awards looked good on paper so why not? I only went for a 'quickie' -tee hee-
meaning fly in early afternoon, do awards and fly out first thing in the morning. The south of France didn't disappoint as the weather was balmy and made a nice change from blighty's winter onslaught. Once at the Salle des Palmiers -MC Sporting Club- I collected my accreditation and was surprised at the relatively small red carpet area. No matter. Colleagues and I went to the nearest bar as we always do to wait for the off. When the off came, we were called out one by one to our pre-allocated places on the red carpet. I was pleased to have a good central spot. It's all a bit of a lottery normally. The 'talent' began arriving with SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR being one of the first ones with a nice bright yellow number which contrasted well against the red carpet.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

ALICIA KEYS didn't disappoint with a long blue dress and giving us plenty of time to take photos. She played the carpet well. Biggest let down was that the biggest names -BEYONCE KNOWLES and MARIAH CAREY- didn't walk the red carpet! The divas seemed to want to out do each other for some reason.

Alicia Keys

MARIAH CAREY did however get the number one dressing room to the dismay of Ms KNOWLES. We were left to contend with live performance pics of the two singers which is no where near as good for sales as red carpet photos. The singing was incredible. Great voices, good job I took earplugs.... The other major let down was a dry press room!!!! Where on God's Earth is there a showbiz event with no alcohol in press room? There was no bar either! Even if I wanted to PAY -god forbid- for my own champagne -I always get it free- there was no where close by to buy it from. Credit crunch in Monaco? Disgraceful.

Beyonce Knowles

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa premiered in Leicester Square, London. BEN STILLER, CHRIS ROCK and JADA PINKETT SMITH were present and correct on the red carpet. BEN STILLER looked bored out of his skull not helped by the wind and rain! Welcome to London.

Ben Stiller

I know celebs do hundreds of these events all over the world and it does get boring. Still, you have hundreds of fans cheering you on. Make an effort. Act! pretend you're vaguely happy to be there and keep the freezing cold fans happy. They -and us, the media- made you guys. Cheer up. CHRIS ROCK looked happier, though clearly not used to film premieres. He looked lost waiting for his PR 'handler' to tell him what to do.

Chris Rock

The British Independent Film Awards 2008 kick off in quasi style as celebs started arriving on time at the Old Billingsgate Market -where events was held- only to find that they weren't letting anyone in. Guests waited in the cold for around twenty minutes some with skimpy dresses and no jackets. Obviously from Newcastle.

Anna Friel

Jamie Winstone

Ralf Fiennes

Eventually doors opened and there was a a long queue slowly going through and messed up our pictures a bit as when celebs posed other guests just filed by. No brain capacity to walk BEHIND the people being photographed. Never mind. Slumdog Millionaire scooped Best Film and Best Director with DANNY BOYLE the lucky recipient of the latter. Best Actor went to MICHAEL FASSBENDER for Hunger, and Best Actress went to the lucky VERA FARMIGA for The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. Other guests included: NICK MORAN, MARTIN -'W'- SHEEN, SAM -Jurassic Park- NEIL, Sir BEN KINGSLEY, ANNA FRIEL, JAMIE WINSTONE et al.

Martin Sheen

Sam Neil

Sir Ben Kingsley

Lastly, Midas touch Queen of glamour models, author, and business woman KATIE PRICE A.K.A. Jordan launched yet another lingerie range for George at ASDA. Again, she looked fantastic, good humoured and ensured we came out with the best possible photos.
May her reign continue.

Katie Price/Jordan

Over and out.

See ya next month.

JOE ALVAREZ



WORDS AND ALL PICTURES COPYRIGHT: JOE ALVAREZ 2008